How To Install Reflector on Manjaro

If you’ve been searching for ways to install Reflector on your Manjaro system, you’re not alone. Many Linux users transitioning from Arch Linux or following older tutorials encounter this common confusion. Here’s the crucial information you need: Reflector is not compatible with Manjaro Linux and cannot be installed on Manjaro systems. Instead, Manjaro uses its own specialized tool called pacman-mirrors that’s specifically designed for Manjaro’s unique repository structure.

This comprehensive guide will clarify why Reflector doesn’t work on Manjaro, explain the fundamental differences between Arch and Manjaro mirror systems, and provide you with complete instructions for properly managing mirrors on Manjaro using the correct tools. You’ll learn multiple methods to optimize your download speeds, troubleshoot common issues, and maintain your mirror configuration for peak performance.

Understanding the Difference Between Arch and Manjaro Mirror Systems

Reflector is a Python script developed specifically for Arch Linux that automatically retrieves the latest mirror list from the Arch Linux Mirror Status page and filters mirrors based on user-defined criteria. It works by querying Arch’s mirror database, testing mirror speeds, and generating an optimized mirrorlist file for Arch systems.

However, Manjaro Linux operates on a fundamentally different infrastructure. While Manjaro is based on Arch Linux, it maintains completely separate repositories and mirrors from the Arch ecosystem. Manjaro’s development team tests packages in their own repository system before releasing them to users, which creates a delay between Arch package updates and Manjaro package availability.

The architectural differences extend beyond just mirror locations. Manjaro implements a three-branch system consisting of stable, testing, and unstable branches. Packages move through these branches after thorough testing, ensuring system stability for end users. This approach contrasts with Arch’s rolling release model where packages are released much more quickly.

Attempting to install Reflector via pacman on Manjaro will fail because the package doesn’t exist in Manjaro’s repositories. Even if you somehow installed Reflector from the AUR or other sources, using it would direct your system to Arch mirrors, which could cause serious package conflicts, dependency issues, and system instability. Arch packages are newer and may have different dependencies than Manjaro’s tested packages, making them incompatible.

This is precisely why Manjaro developed pacman-mirrors, a dedicated utility tailored to Manjaro’s specific mirror infrastructure and repository management needs.

What is Pacman-Mirrors?

Pacman-mirrors is Manjaro’s official command-line utility for managing system mirrors and generating the mirrorlist file. Unlike Reflector, which was designed for Arch Linux, pacman-mirrors is purpose-built for Manjaro’s unique mirror ecosystem and comes preinstalled on every Manjaro system.

The primary function of pacman-mirrors is to query Manjaro’s Mirrorservice database, test available mirrors, and create an optimized /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist file based on your preferences. It can filter mirrors by geographic location, connection protocol, response time, and synchronization status.

Pacman-mirrors uses mirror information directly from Manjaro’s own mirror pool, ensuring that all selected mirrors contain the correct Manjaro packages rather than Arch packages. The tool requires an active internet connection for most operations since it needs to communicate with Manjaro’s mirror service and test mirror response times.

Beyond pacman-mirrors, Manjaro users also have access to alternative tools like shiny-mirrors, though pacman-mirrors remains the officially supported and most widely used option. The advantage of using Manjaro’s native tools is guaranteed compatibility with the distribution’s package management system.

Prerequisites

Before you begin managing mirrors on your Manjaro system, ensure you have the following requirements in place:

You’ll need an active internet connection to query the mirror service and test mirror response times. Administrative privileges are essential, as mirror operations require sudo or root access to modify system files. Basic familiarity with the terminal will help you execute commands effectively, though the instructions provided here are beginner-friendly.

Any edition of Manjaro Linux works with these instructions, whether you’re running Xfce, KDE Plasma, GNOME, or another desktop environment. The mirror management tools operate independently of your desktop interface.

Before making any changes to your mirror configuration, consider creating a backup of your current mirrorlist file. While pacman-mirrors automatically creates backups, having your own copy provides additional security. Your current mirrorlist is located at /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist, and this file will be modified when you update your mirror configuration.

Checking Your Current Mirror Configuration

Understanding your current mirror setup helps you make informed decisions about optimization. Start by viewing your active mirrorlist with this command:

cat /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

This displays all configured mirrors along with their URLs and locations. Enabled mirrors appear without comment symbols, while disabled mirrors are preceded by hash marks.

Check your installed pacman-mirrors version to ensure you’re running the latest release:

pacman-mirrors --version

For detailed information about your current mirrors, including their status and response times, execute:

sudo pacman-mirrors --status

This command provides comprehensive data about each mirror in your configuration, including synchronization status, last update times, and geographic locations. The output shows response times in milliseconds, helping you identify slow or problematic mirrors.

You can also verify which Manjaro branch your system uses (stable, testing, or unstable) by examining the branch setting in your mirror configuration. Most users run the stable branch, which receives thoroughly tested packages and provides the most reliable experience.

Basic Pacman-Mirrors Commands and Options

Pacman-mirrors offers numerous options for customizing your mirror selection. Understanding these core commands empowers you to optimize your system effectively.

The --fasttrack option automatically selects the fastest mirrors from the mirror pool. You specify the number of mirrors to include, such as --fasttrack 5 or --fasttrack 10. This option tests mirror response times and selects the quickest ones regardless of location.

Geographic filtering uses the –country option to select mirrors from specific nations. This proves particularly useful when you want to prioritize local mirrors for potentially better speeds. Multiple countries can be specified with comma separation.

The --continent option provides broader geographic filtering, selecting mirrors across entire continents rather than individual countries. This approach balances geographic proximity with mirror availability.

For switching between Manjaro’s release branches, the –set-branch option allows you to move between stable, testing, and unstable branches. This command is typically used by testers and developers who need access to newer packages.

Protocol selection through the --protocols option lets you specify HTTPS, HTTP, or both. HTTPS provides encrypted connections for enhanced security, though some users prefer HTTP for slightly faster speeds.

The --api option tells pacman-mirrors to use Manjaro’s API for mirror selection, ensuring you get the most current mirror information from the official service.

Interactive mode, activated with --interactive or -i, launches a GUI interface for manual mirror selection. This visual approach helps users who prefer point-and-click configuration.

Critical reminder: After any mirror modification, you must synchronize your package databases by running sudo pacman -Syyu. This command refreshes the package lists and ensures your system recognizes the new mirror configuration.

Method 1: Using Fasttrack to Auto-Select Fastest Mirrors

The fasttrack method represents the simplest and most popular approach to mirror optimization on Manjaro. This automated process tests mirrors from the entire mirror pool and selects the fastest ones based on response times.

Execute the basic fasttrack command:

sudo pacman-mirrors --fasttrack 5

The number after --fasttrack determines how many mirrors to include in your final mirrorlist. Five mirrors provide a good balance between redundancy and connection speed. More mirrors offer additional fallback options but may include slower mirrors. You can adjust this number based on your preferences—common choices include 5, 10, or 20 mirrors.

During execution, pacman-mirrors queries all available mirrors in the pool, sends test requests, and measures response times. You’ll see real-time output showing which mirrors are being tested and their response times in milliseconds. Mirrors that respond quickly rise to the top of your mirrorlist, while slower mirrors are either ranked lower or excluded entirely.

The process typically completes within one to three minutes, depending on the number of available mirrors and your internet connection speed. Once finished, pacman-mirrors automatically overwrites your existing mirrorlist file with the new optimized version.

Verify the changes by viewing your updated mirrorlist:

cat /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

The fastest mirrors now appear at the top of the file. Your package manager will attempt to use mirrors in the order they’re listed, trying the fastest mirrors first.

Complete the process by synchronizing your package databases:

sudo pacman -Syyu

This command forces a complete database refresh and checks for any package updates. The double “y” flag forces a database refresh even if the databases appear up to date, ensuring complete synchronization with your new mirrors.

Method 2: Selecting Mirrors by Geographic Location

Geographic mirror selection often provides optimal performance because closer mirrors typically offer lower latency and faster download speeds. Physical proximity reduces the number of network hops between your system and the mirror server.

First, view all available countries with mirrors:

pacman-mirrors --list

This command displays every country in the Manjaro mirror pool. Note the exact country names, as you’ll need to match them precisely in your command.

Select mirrors from a specific country using this format:

sudo pacman-mirrors --country United_States

Notice that multi-word country names use underscores instead of spaces. Common examples include United_States, United_Kingdom, and New_Zealand.

For multiple countries, separate them with commas without spaces:

sudo pacman-mirrors --country Germany,France,Netherlands

This approach works well for users in border regions or those who want backup mirrors from neighboring countries. It provides geographic proximity while maintaining multiple mirror options for redundancy.

Continental selection offers broader geographic filtering:

sudo pacman-mirrors --continent

This command prompts you to choose from available continents. It’s particularly useful when traveling or when you want mirrors from your general geographic region without limiting yourself to a single country.

You can also combine country-specific mirrors with Global mirrors:

sudo pacman-mirrors --country Germany,Global

Global mirrors typically have robust infrastructure and high bandwidth, making them reliable fallback options.

After configuring geographic preferences, synchronize your databases:

sudo pacman -Syyu

Your system now prioritizes mirrors in your selected geographic regions, potentially reducing download times and improving package installation speeds.

Method 3: Interactive Mirror Selection with GUI

Interactive mode provides a graphical interface for manual mirror selection, ideal for users who want complete control over their mirror configuration.

Launch interactive mode with:

sudo pacman-mirrors --interactive

A window appears displaying all available mirrors with checkboxes. Each mirror listing shows the country, URL, response status, and other relevant information. Mirrors are organized by location, making it easy to find geographically appropriate options.

Navigate through the list using your mouse or keyboard. Check the boxes next to mirrors you want to include in your mirrorlist. You can select as many or as few mirrors as you prefer, though having three to five mirrors provides good redundancy without excessive overhead.

The interface includes filtering options to help narrow down your choices. You can filter by protocol (HTTPS or HTTP), geographic region, or synchronization status. These filters help you quickly identify mirrors meeting your specific requirements.

Response status indicators show whether each mirror is currently operational and synchronized with the main repository. Avoid selecting mirrors marked as outdated or non-responsive, as they may cause package installation failures or deliver outdated packages.

Once you’ve selected your desired mirrors, click the “OK” or “Apply” button to confirm your choices. Pacman-mirrors generates a new mirrorlist containing only your selected mirrors in the order they appeared in the interface.

Interactive mode proves particularly valuable when you’ve identified specific mirrors that work well for your connection or when automatic selection methods produce suboptimal results. It’s also useful for troubleshooting, allowing you to test individual mirrors by selecting them one at a time.

Method 4: Comprehensive Mirror Update Command

For users who want a complete mirror optimization in a single command, this comprehensive approach combines multiple options for thorough configuration:

sudo pacman-mirrors --country all --api --protocols all --set-branch stable && sudo pacman -Syyu

This command accomplishes several tasks simultaneously. The –country all parameter includes mirrors from every available country in the global mirror pool. This maximizes your mirror options and ensures you’re not artificially limiting yourself to specific geographic regions.

The --api flag directs pacman-mirrors to use Manjaro’s official API for retrieving the most current mirror information. This ensures your mirror list reflects the latest mirror status, including newly added mirrors or recently decommissioned ones.

--protocols all accepts both HTTPS and HTTP mirrors. While HTTPS provides encrypted connections for enhanced security, including HTTP mirrors expands your options and may provide faster speeds in some circumstances.

The --set-branch stable parameter explicitly sets your system to use the stable branch. This ensures you receive thoroughly tested packages rather than experimental releases. Users on testing or unstable branches can modify this parameter accordingly.

The && operator chains commands together, meaning the second command only executes if the first completes successfully. The final sudo pacman -Syyu command performs a complete database synchronization and system update, ensuring your package lists align with your new mirror configuration.

This comprehensive command typically takes two to five minutes to complete, depending on the number of mirrors being tested and your internet connection speed. The output provides real-time feedback showing which mirrors are being evaluated and which are selected for your final mirrorlist.

This approach works best when you want a fresh start with your mirror configuration or when you’ve experienced persistent issues with your current mirrors. It essentially resets your mirror setup to an optimized default configuration.

Switching Between Manjaro Branches

Manjaro’s three-branch system offers different package versions for various use cases. Understanding these branches helps you choose the appropriate one for your needs.

The stable branch contains thoroughly tested packages that have progressed through the testing process. This branch provides the most reliable experience and is recommended for production systems, daily drivers, and users who prioritize stability over cutting-edge features.

The testing branch receives packages after they’ve been in unstable for a period. This branch helps identify remaining issues before packages move to stable. Testing branch users contribute to Manjaro’s quality assurance process but may encounter occasional bugs.

The unstable branch receives packages almost immediately after they’re updated in Arch repositories. This branch offers the newest software but carries the highest risk of instability, bugs, and breaking changes. It’s primarily intended for developers and advanced users who need bleeding-edge packages.

Switch branches using this command format:

sudo pacman-mirrors --set-branch stable

Replace “stable” with “testing” or “unstable” as needed. Branch switching modifies your mirror configuration to point to the appropriate repository branch.

Important warning: Switching branches can significantly impact system stability. Moving from stable to testing or unstable increases the likelihood of encountering bugs, package conflicts, or system issues. Moving from unstable or testing to stable may cause dependency conflicts if you have packages that don’t exist in the stable repository yet.

After switching branches, always perform a complete system update:

sudo pacman -Syyu

This command synchronizes your entire system with the new branch, updating all packages to their branch-appropriate versions. The process may involve upgrading or downgrading numerous packages depending on which direction you switched.

Consider backing up important data before switching branches, especially when moving to less stable branches. While branch switching is generally safe, package updates can occasionally cause unexpected behavior.

Troubleshooting Common Mirror Issues

Mirror-related problems occasionally arise even with proper configuration. Knowing how to diagnose and resolve these issues keeps your system running smoothly.

Slow download speeds despite mirror optimization may indicate temporary server congestion, network routing issues, or ISP throttling. Try running pacman-mirrors again with different geographic parameters or increase the number of mirrors in your fasttrack selection. Testing downloads at different times of day can reveal whether the issue is time-dependent congestion.

Mirror timeout errors occur when your system cannot establish connections with listed mirrors. These errors may appear during package installations or system updates. Check your internet connection first, then verify that your mirrorlist contains multiple active mirrors. Run sudo pacman-mirrors --status to identify problematic mirrors, then regenerate your mirrorlist excluding non-responsive servers.

“Failed to synchronize” errors indicate that your package manager cannot retrieve package databases from the configured mirrors. This often happens when mirrors are outdated or temporarily offline. Execute sudo pacman-mirrors --fasttrack 10 && sudo pacman -Syyu to quickly switch to working mirrors and refresh your databases.

Outdated mirror problems occur when mirrors haven’t synchronized with the main repository recently. These mirrors may serve old package versions or lack newly released packages. The --status command reveals synchronization dates, helping you identify outdated mirrors. Regenerating your mirrorlist with current mirror selection automatically excludes severely outdated mirrors.

If you need to restore a backup mirrorlist, pacman-mirrors creates automatic backups in the same directory as your active mirrorlist. Check /etc/pacman.d/ for files like mirrorlist.backup or similar. Copy a working backup over your current mirrorlist if needed:

sudo cp /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.backup /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

Network connectivity issues during mirror operations can interrupt the mirror selection process. Ensure your internet connection is stable before running pacman-mirrors commands. If using Wi-Fi, consider connecting via ethernet during mirror updates to avoid connection interruptions.

Manually editing /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist becomes necessary when automated tools fail. Open the file with a text editor using sudo privileges:

sudo nano /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

Uncomment working mirrors by removing the # symbol at the line’s beginning, and comment out problematic mirrors by adding #. Save changes and test with sudo pacman -Syy.

When all else fails, reset to default mirror pool:

sudo pacman-mirrors --country all --api

This command rebuilds your mirrorlist from scratch using all available mirrors, effectively resetting your configuration.

Best Practices for Mirror Management

Implementing smart mirror management practices ensures consistent package download performance and system reliability.

Update frequency: Refresh your mirrorlist every two to three months or whenever you experience persistent slow downloads. Mirror availability and performance change over time as servers are added, removed, or experience varying loads. Running pacman-mirrors quarterly keeps your configuration optimized.

Mirror quantity: Maintain five to ten mirrors in your mirrorlist. This number provides adequate redundancy without causing excessive overhead. Your package manager attempts mirrors sequentially, so having too many mirrors means waiting through multiple failures before reaching a working one if several mirrors are problematic.

Prioritize HTTPS mirrors for enhanced security. HTTPS encrypts the connection between your system and the mirror server, protecting against man-in-the-middle attacks and ensuring package integrity. While HTTP may offer marginally faster speeds, the security benefits of HTTPS outweigh minor performance differences.

Geographic considerations significantly impact performance. Prioritize mirrors in your country or continent first. Network topology and internet exchange points mean that geographic proximity generally correlates with lower latency and faster speeds. However, major global mirrors sometimes outperform local options due to superior infrastructure.

Test configurations before committing to long-term use. After generating a new mirrorlist, perform several package operations to verify performance. Install a package, run a system update, and observe download speeds. If performance seems poor, try different selection criteria.

Keep backups of working mirrorlist configurations. When you find a configuration that works well, create a dated backup:

sudo cp /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.$(date +%Y%m%d)

This creates a backup with the current date in the filename, making it easy to identify later.

Monitor performance over time by noting average download speeds during package operations. If you notice degradation, investigate whether your mirrors remain responsive and properly synchronized. Periodic monitoring helps you identify and address issues before they become significant problems.

Choose fasttrack for simplicity when you want reliable results without manual configuration. Fasttrack’s automated testing and selection typically produces excellent results for most users, making it the recommended starting point.

Automating Mirror Updates (Optional Advanced Section)

Advanced users can automate mirror maintenance using scripts and scheduled tasks, ensuring mirrors remain optimized without manual intervention.

Create a maintenance script that updates mirrors periodically. Write a simple bash script:

#!/bin/bash
pacman-mirrors --fasttrack 5
pacman -Syy

Save this as /usr/local/bin/update-mirrors.sh and make it executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/update-mirrors.sh

Schedule execution using cron jobs for periodic mirror refreshes. Edit your root crontab:

sudo crontab -e

Add an entry to run monthly:

0 2 1 * * /usr/local/bin/update-mirrors.sh

This runs the script at 2:00 AM on the first day of each month.

Balance automation with stability. While automated mirror updates maintain optimization, they can occasionally select problematic mirrors if run during temporary server issues. Consider implementing error handling in your script to verify mirror selection succeeded before committing changes.

Logging activities helps track changes and troubleshoot issues. Modify your script to log output:

#!/bin/bash
LOG="/var/log/mirror-update.log"
echo "Mirror update started: $(date)" >> $LOG
pacman-mirrors --fasttrack 5 >> $LOG 2>&1
pacman -Syy >> $LOG 2>&1
echo "Mirror update completed: $(date)" >> $LOG

Error handling prevents automated scripts from applying bad configurations. Add validation checks to ensure the mirror update succeeded before synchronizing databases.

Comparing Pacman-Mirrors with Arch’s Reflector

Understanding the differences between these tools clarifies why each distribution uses its specific solution.

Primary difference: Pacman-mirrors queries Manjaro’s mirror pool and repository structure, while Reflector queries Arch’s mirror system. These are completely separate infrastructures serving different package repositories.

Target audience: Pacman-mirrors is optimized specifically for Manjaro’s three-branch system and delayed package release model, while Reflector serves Arch’s pure rolling release approach.

Mirror sources: Pacman-mirrors connects to Manjaro’s official mirror service, ensuring all mirrors contain properly tested Manjaro packages. Reflector retrieves Arch mirrors that serve bleeding-edge packages unsuitable for Manjaro systems.

Functionality: Both tools filter mirrors by location, protocol, and speed, but pacman-mirrors includes Manjaro-specific options like branch selection. Reflector offers different filtering criteria optimized for Arch’s needs.

Installation: Pacman-mirrors comes preinstalled on Manjaro, while Reflector must be installed on Arch systems but cannot be properly installed or used on Manjaro.

Why separate tools? Manjaro’s development philosophy emphasizes stability through testing, requiring infrastructure that supports delayed package releases and multiple branches. Arch prioritizes simplicity and providing the latest software immediately. These philosophical differences necessitate different mirror management tools optimized for each approach.

Alternative Tools: Shiny-Mirrors

Beyond pacman-mirrors, Manjaro users can explore shiny-mirrors, an alternative mirror management utility.

Shiny-mirrors offers a slightly different approach to mirror selection and ranking. It focuses on providing a streamlined interface and fast mirror detection.

Basic usage resembles pacman-mirrors:

sudo shiny-mirrors --branch stable

The tool automatically generates an optimized mirrorlist based on response times and mirror status.

Consider shiny-mirrors when pacman-mirrors produces suboptimal results or when you want to compare different mirror selection algorithms. However, pacman-mirrors remains the officially supported tool with the most comprehensive feature set and best integration with Manjaro’s infrastructure.