ordiel

The thing is I started following this issue given I was facing the exact same symptoms yet I've been observing a couple of different behaviors (specially the last week or so) I've tried with different versions of java, currently using the JDK 17 not the JRE. I was originally unable to get it to run untill I decided to remove the ~/.minecraft folder.

I think the launcher is getting stuck at some point retrieving:

https://launchermeta.mojang.com/v1/products/launcher/6f083b80d5e6fabbc4236f81d0d8f8a350c665a9/linux.json

from what I can see on the console output when I start the launcher from terminal, (which leaves me with very similar symptoms as the ones you originally reported until I delete the folder again)

If you have a chance maybe try getting it started from terminal to see if we are getting similar issues before I move this one to a ticket on its own

I am also attaching the launcher log after I delete the ~/.minecraft folder, nontheless the launcher updater window never closes:

having the app running:

Then I proceed to close it, and start the launcher again:

it remains there never progressing, it produces the attached log file (the launcher was running for long since I prefer not to close it to avoid the download)

sudo apt install curl
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
curl is already the newest version (7.68.0-1ubuntu2.11).
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.

I just did and, I was already on the latest version. I am also facing that same issue and whenever I want to play I need to delete `~/.minecraft` which always allows to start the launcher yet I need to download (again) about 550 MBs