Title
Ubuntu lockscreen not responding to inputs - how to make it work again
Date
2016-04-18
Author
Sebastian Otto (@Ohban)
Abstract
Some users of Ubuntu-based Linux distros have encountered the following problem:
The lockscreen is sometimes not responding to any given inputs. Currently the
source of this behaviour is unknown. The following guide shows how to get the
graphical user interface (GUI) back - without rebooting the computer.
Disclaimer
Any unsaved changes in programs like document editors, email clients etc. will
be lost, all programs will be closed and a new user session will be started!
Don't use this guide if one or more of these points would cause you problems!
This guide comes without any warranty of any kind!
Tested
- Ubuntu Gnome 15.10
Guide
1) Press Ctrl + Alt + F2 on your keyboard to leave the frozen lockscreen.
2) Sign in using your credentials.
3) Kill (i.e. stop - not pause) the existing Xserver using:
sudo ps au | grep "/usr/bin/X vt7" | awk '{print $2}' | sed -n 1p | sudo xargs kill4) Skip this step if a new Xserver is started automatically.
Otherwise manually start a new instance of Xserver using:
sudo startx5) If (4) was skipped, press Ctrl + Alt + F2.
Sign out using:
exit6) Press Ctrl + Alt + F7 to go to your new lockscreen.