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rodude123
Asked: 2020-04-28 02:58:47 +0800 CST

Super key not working in Ubuntu 20.04

  • 772

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.

keyboard shortcut-keys gnome-shell activities-overview 20.04

7 Answers

  1. 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 ...

    • 36

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

    ROG Zephyrus G14, Ubuntu 21.04

    • 21

  3. 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.

    • 16
  4. Best Answer

    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.

    1. Just run 

      sudo apt update

    2. Then run 

      sudo apt upgrade

      Now gnome-shell --version should show:

      GNOME Shell 3.36.2

    3. Reboot system to apply changes: run sudo reboot or reboot manually.

    • 11

  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)

    • 3

  6. If you have a Corsair K95 (or similar keyboard) there is a lock button to disable the Windows/super key.

    • 1

  7. gnome guys fix this, just do

    sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

    to get the fix for the super key to work on sec layout

    still didn't fix the launcher shortcut super+/

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