This quick guide shows how to install Opera on Debian 11 by downloading the latest .deb package, installing it with dpkg, and then fixing any dependency hiccups that might arise. It explains an optional but handy way to add Opera’s own repository so future updates come through apt, including the necessary GPG key import step. If the initial install leaves half‑installed packages, a couple of simple apt commands will resolve the broken dependencies automatically. Finally, it tells you how to launch Opera, troubleshoot startup crashes via system logs, and set it as your default browser in Debian’s settings.

Install Opera Browser on Debian 11 – a quick guide

Want to get the sleek, fast‑loading browser that’s been the favorite of web designers and meme‑collectors alike? This walk‑through shows you how to install the latest Opera on Debian 11 Bullseye without wrestling with broken dependencies or ending up with an ancient version from the distro repos.

1. Grab the Latest .deb Package

Opera ships a single .deb file that contains everything it needs.

Why start here? Because you get the newest build straight from the source, and you avoid the stale copy that lives in Debian’s official repository.

wget https://download.opera.com/download/get/operadeb
sudo dpkg -i operadeb

If dpkg throws dependency errors (the common “depends on libgconf-2-4” type), pause. I’ve seen folks hit this wall after an upgrade that removed the old libgconf package, leaving them stuck with a half‑installed browser.

2. Add Opera’s Official Repository (optional but handy)

If you’d rather use apt to keep Opera automatically updated, add its repository:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb https://deb.opera.com/opera-stable/ stable non-free" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/opera.list'
wget -qO- https://deb.opera.com/archive.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/opera.gpg
sudo apt update
sudo apt install opera-stable

Why bother? Because the repository version pulls in all dependencies at once and will stay current through apt upgrade. The key step is importing the GPG key; without it you’ll get a “NO_PUBKEY” error and your browser will refuse to install.

3. Resolve Dependencies with apt‑full

If the first method left some packages half‑installed, run:

sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo apt -f install

These commands ask Debian’s package manager to finish what it started and pull in missing libraries. It’s a quick lifesaver that stops you from having to hunt down each missing .deb manually.

4. Quick Test and Tweaks

Launch Opera:

opera &

You’ll see the familiar logo; if it crashes on startup, check /var/log/syslog for clues. A common culprit is a conflict with an older libgtk3 version. Updating your system (sudo apt full-upgrade) usually clears that.

Once you’re up and running, tweak settings to fit Debian’s workflow: set Opera as the default browser by going to Settings > Default Browser (or run xdg-settings set default-web-browser opera.desktop). No more asking your system “which one?”

That’s it – a clean install that keeps Opera fresh without dragging in a pile of unused packages.