How do I access console from GDM ? (wayland)

Question

When on GDM login screen, Ctrl+Alt+F3 ... F7 does not work. After logging into GNOME desktop, then Ctrl+Alt+F1 will bring me to GDM, F2 back to GNOME, and F3 to F7 to a TTY terminal.

But before I log into GNOME, I'm unable to switch to a terminal. Trying to do so even results in loosing my trackpad and no more control over the mouse pointer.

So are tty3 to tty7 (or more?) available when on GDM before logging into GNOME? If so, how to access them? If not, why, and how can I enable them?

Solution

The actual used tty consoles have changed around with the introduction of Wayland and 17.10. Now tty1 always contains the login screen, and tty2 contains your actual loaded session.

So use Ctrl+Alt+F3 up to Ctrl+Alt+F7 for getting to an actual unused tty and use Ctrl+Alt+F2 to go back to GUI.

Comments

[Ethunxxx]

Seems to be a problem for many people: See askubuntu.com/questions/1037369/… or askubuntu.com/questions/1028328/… Any new insights?

[muru]

Have any of you actually reported this bug?

[Eskander Bejaoui]

what Ubuntu version are you using? @Ethunxxx you just linked the current question

[WinEunuuchs2Unix]

There was a bug where Alt+F4 was opening the console, maybe that key combination will work on the login screen for you?

[Ethunxxx]

@muru I think it might have been reported already, is it this one? bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-settings-daemon/+bug‌​/…

[Ethunxxx]

@SkanderBejaoui Thanks! This is the correct one askubuntu.com/questions/1031131/…

[muru]

@Ethunxxx looks a bit different. Do report it, if it was already reported, the devs will close it as a dupe.