Super key not working in Ubuntu 20.04

keyboard shortcut-keys gnome-shell 20.04 activities-overview

25,432

Solution 1

It seems to be a gnome bug affecting multiple distros. Here's the thread in gitlab

super no longer opens overview (with dvorak keyboard layout)

This all happens under X11. Temporary solution is to change to Wayland if possible or change the most used keyboard layout to first position.

The developers are aware of the issue and it may be patched soon.

EDIT: As of today, Ubuntu 20.04 is upgraded from Gnome 3.36.1 to 3.36.2 and a updated system should no longer have this issue.

Just run
```
sudo apt update
```
Then run
```
sudo apt upgrade
```
Now gnome-shell --version should show:
```
GNOME Shell 3.36.2
```
Reboot system to apply changes: run sudo reboot or reboot manually.

Solution 2

Just in case anyone else is in the same situation as me and stumbles across this ...

check that your keyboard doesn't have a function button to lock the windows/super key. Mine did on f12 and I accidentally pressed it without knowing what it was. Just pressing it one more time fixed the issue ...

Solution 3

Pressing Fn+Super unblocked the Super key for me and solved the issue.

ROG Zephyrus G14, Ubuntu 21.04

Solution 4

I have the same issue but only when I select languages: Spanish, Italian, Russian. On English and French it works perfectly (which are in 1st and 4th position). As a workaround I put the two languages I use the most in 1st and 4th position, and for the rest I use ALT + F1 , that works in the same way... Hope the information helps.

Solution 5

So I managed to find a temporary fix for my problem. See I updated from Ubuntu 18.04, so not sure if this will help anyone updating from like 16.04, 17.04, 19.04 etc. Anyways the reason why I was having trouble with this is the fact that I have 2 keyboard layouts. I use an American and British layout. I am from the UK and always use the £ in everyday use. See, I have to switch layouts to use £ but then I forget to switch back to the original default layout, in this case, the American layout. At which point the super key stops working. I then try to get it to work for like 30 minutes to then only realise that oh wait I'm on not on the US layout. 😅 So I now use the English (intl., with AltGr dead keys)

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25,432

rodude123

Currently studying Java and web development at the University of Sussex. Doing a degree in computer science and AI

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

rodude123 over 1 year

I just updated to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and my super key has lost its main functionality. Previously in Ubuntu 18.04LTS, I was able to click the super key and the applications drawer would show. Now it doesn't do that. I can still open it by clicking super+a but it's annoying that it doesn't do that.

I restarted my machine and still nothing.
- Admin about 4 years
  
  To me, the super key stops working kind of randomly. Similarly, super+tab starts to ignore the shift key. And it seems connected with my keyboard stopping working completely in PhpStorm after pressing ctrl+shift. All started with Ubuntu 20.04. In most cases, trying to press around or restart an app (PhpStorm in this case) seems to fix the issue.
- Admin about 4 years
  
  I've restarted my pc and nothing happens I can click on the <kbd>super</kbd> + <kbd>a</kbd> but I don't want to keep doing that the super key by itself should work
- Admin almost 4 years
  
  Looks like the authors forgot to write or run regression tests :-(
- Admin almost 3 years
  
  For me it was an keyboard issue. I unplugged my usb and put it in a different port. It start working again. It's worth a try ;)
- Admin almost 3 years
  
  For anyone with a Dell developer edition laptop, see this solution.
rodude123 about 4 years

I don't think there will be a propper solution until they fix the bug. For now this is the best we can do
rodude123 about 4 years

This is exactly what my issue is, I use a keyboard with an American layout on it. I live in the UK and use the £ key a lot in online messages and so I have to keep switching keyboard layouts just for that. Only if there was an American keyboard layout with the £ symbol buitl in. That would be great.
pliski about 4 years

The bug affects also the Keyboard Layout "English (US, intl., with dead keys)" but not "English (US)". Just as a reminder you can switch between keyboard layouts with <Super>+<Space> combination. Nice dude, you saved my day!
Max Małecki almost 4 years

Also this bug is relevant with Polish keyboard layout. Switching to En US is only option for now.
dzieciou almost 4 years

@MaxMałecki How do you switching with a key shortcut between keyboard layouts?
Atzmon almost 4 years

@MaxMałecki The default is Super+Space but you can change it under Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts > Typing .
Max Małecki almost 4 years

Edit: @Atzmon was first ;) on the top bar you got switch ;) Or you press [Super] + [Spacebar]
rodude123 almost 4 years

This doesn't do anything for me, and may not do anything for a lot of users
pomsky almost 4 years

@rodude123 Did you upgrade your GNOME Shell to version 3.36.2?
rodude123 almost 4 years

I did upgrade it
Rajesh Chaudhary almost 4 years

This has nothing to do.
Alexandr Tovmach almost 4 years

7 Jun 2020: this fix works for ru layout
Alexandr Tovmach almost 4 years

Upgrading gnome-shell to version 3.36.2 fix the issue. Check the Diego Blanco answer
Erik Norman almost 4 years

I can confirm. I use English keyboard (super key works), but with Italian, Swedish and German keyboard it doesn't work. I will try to upgrade to see if this fixes the issue.
Erik Norman almost 4 years

I run update yesterday, but gnome-shell is still version 3.36.1.
Nieksa about 3 years

Something other people might try: I just found out that by unplugging my keyboard I fixed this issue. :)
George almost 3 years

you saved my day
max pleaner almost 3 years

Why the hell they have a button for this, I'm not sure.
George almost 3 years

Exactly! i can't think of a good use for it lol
Samuel Aiala Ferreira almost 3 years

mf ... that happend after i cleanned my keyboard, and you save my day
Brian Sternari almost 3 years

Had the same problem and solution with an Asus TUF DASH F15
BT643 over 2 years

This was the problem for me too! There's a button on my keyboard to disable the windows / super key. I know on mine because it's a gaming keyboard it's supposed to be used to stop you accidentally opening a menu in the middle of a game :)
nyxee over 2 years

Mine had this too.
FedKad over 2 years

Same here. It was Fn+F2 in my case that disables / enables the Super (Windows) key.
Arya over 2 years

This was the solution on Ubuntu 18.04.
M Gholami over 2 years

this solution solved my problem, ubuntu 20.04
pabrams over 2 years

wtf is Fn? d ds
Sati about 2 years

Does Fn modify the super key into something else?
imkzh about 2 years

Mine is Super_R + Fn (which are adjacent keys, extremely easy to activate the lock by mistake.)
brightball about 2 years

Thank you! This was driving me nuts and I couldn't figure out what happened. My kids were playing with the light configurations on the keyboard and accidentally locked it.
Fractal Mind about 2 years

You sir are a gentleman an a scholar
Admin about 2 years

The home lock button on the Corsair k95 is on the top left. There are 3 bush buttons above the f keys. User, light brightness, then the third, windows lock (padlock).
Admin almost 2 years

Works on an HP Keyboard...