gnome-shell crashes often

[gnufied]

I don't have full stacktrace right now unfortunately but gnome-shell appears to be crashing a lot for me.

I am running it with multiple monitors and it crashes with following errors:

[58566.199387] gnome-shell[11622]: segfault at e8 ip 00007f577582c582 sp 00007ffc18448048 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7f57757ef000+d4000]

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
Package: gnome-shell 3.18.4-0ubuntu3
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.4.0-22.39-generic 4.4.8
Uname: Linux 4.4.0-22-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: zfs zunicode zcommon znvpair zavl
ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2
Architecture: amd64
CurrentDesktop: GNOME
Date: Wed May 11 09:16:52 2016
DisplayManager: gdm3
InstallationDate: Installed on 2016-04-17 (23 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-GNOME 16.04 LTS "Xenial Xerus" - Beta amd64 (20160416)
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm-256color
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/zsh
SourcePackage: gnome-shell
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Gumuiyul (gumuiyul)]

same to me.
It occurs every one time at startup.

[Gumuiyul (gumuiyul)]

This problem appears after updating a few days ago.
I am using Ubuntu Gnome 16.04.
Linux Kernel: 4.4.0-31-generic #50-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jul 13 00:07:12 UTC 2016 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
Gnome-Shell: 3.18.5
Distribution: DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS"

[Gumuiyul (gumuiyul)]

Nowdays what I have known is which the Gnome-Shell re-start only once at startup.
that is follow,
Step1. I login with my account on the Login Screen.
Step2. Wait for ready
Step3. Desktop Screen comes visible
until Step3 it's all good works. Gnome-shell doesen't Re-Start.
Step4. I run any a application such terminal, firefox, file browser(nautilus) ..
Step5. Gnome-Shell doesen't response for some minutes(about 1 ~ 5 min)
Step6. Gnome-Shell restart. (so new desktop screen is reloaded).

I attached the crash dump file in /var/crash/_usr_bin_gnome-shell.1000.crash.
Segfault is happened at line 3185.

My DE is,
Ubunt Gnome 16.04.1 LTS
Language: Korean
Linux Kernal: Linux 4.4.0-34-generic #53-Ubuntu
Theme: Adapta 3.21 for Gnome-Shell and GTK
Font: Nanum Barun Gothic for Korean Language,

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[carlos.sense (freeball45)]

Hi folks,

Iam running ubuntu 16.04.1 lts with a fresh installation few days ago.

First, it seems that these OS was a fine one. But I had a lot of trouble with my software installation.

I guess it was ttf-mscorefonts, but I solved the problem with a clean and new installation include "andale32.exe".

Continuing with Kaffeine, Leafpad and other Software I managed finishing my personal software installation.

Then I installed fonts, codexes and other stuff - the installation Terminal appeared after downloading the files from the source and showed me, whats going on during the installation. Suddenly, gnome shell crashes and I found myself at the login screen! All programs include vpn connection are disconnected and had shut down. I looked in Synaptic, if there are broken file packages or something else. Nothing. All packages were installed. Thats weird.

This happens often, and I don't know, how I can fix it. Every time I installed packages, the desktop crashes. I can't found any log information in var/log, which could helped me. When I update my system the problem will appear again and i won't change to opensuse or sabayone.

I hope, u guys can give me a hint, what can I do to fix this crashes.

Thank you for support. Apologise for my english, I am not a native speaker.

[Aditya Bhargava (rightaditya)]

Other than the OP is anyone else using ZFS? I am getting frequent GNOME shell crashes on 16.10 and am also using ZFS. Normally I'd think it's unrelated but since there's probably not that many of us using it I noticed that the OP is also using it...

[Raf (4263004-noduck)]

Using 16.10, no ZFS, frequest GNOME shell crashes.

Below is one example. However, the library is not always the same, also seen libgnome-desktop-3.so.12.1.0, libmutter.so.0.0.0, libgio-2.0.so.0.5000.0. Seems to be independent of the extensions installed.

gnome-shell[4080]: segfault at 2c ip 00007fdc97a54ca0 sp 00007ffe521631e8 error 4 in libglib-2.0.so.0.5000.2[7fdc979e0000+112000]

[Pablo Q (paqs140482)]

Same here, running 16.10 crash every restart.

[Willem Hobers (whobers)]

Happens to my setup as well. Mostly (only?) after starting up after sleep-mode
Running 16.04

Linux LPTP001 4.4.0-62-generic #83-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jan 18 14:10:15 UTC 2017 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

[ 7436.798887] gnome-shell[2003]: segfault at e8 ip 00007fe7283465b2 sp 00007ffe7d0ca8e8 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7fe728309000+d4000]

Is there any more information I can provide to help?

[Didier L (l-farquaad)]

I don't know if it is exactly the same issue but I have been experimenting segfaults since I upgraded to 17.04. It often happens when I open the overview mode and start typing to search for an application (I am not sure it occurs if I don't type anything). Lastly it didn't restart automatically so I have to go to a TTY to restart it.

[46459.270603] gnome-shell[4908]: segfault at 7ffe8f5e0d70 ip 00007ffe8f5e0d70 sp 00007ffe8f5e0c58 error 15
[49773.440214] gnome-shell[6023]: segfault at 7ffc9d0a07b0 ip 00007ffc9d0a07b0 sp 00007ffc9d0a0698 error 15
[54383.047260] gnome-shell[10863]: segfault at 7ffda2f006b0 ip 00007ffda2f006b0 sp 00007ffda2f00598 error 15

This is a Dell laptop with an Intel i915 graphics card, and Ubuntu 17.04 x64. I am not using ZFS but EXT4, and ecryptfs for my home directory. Happens in dual screen but also with only an HDMI-connected TV. I usually don't use the laptop screen much so I'm not sure if it happens also in that case.

[Mutlu Can YILMAZ (mtlcnylmz)]

Hello.
Here is a crash log from me. Hope it helps.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

gnufied:
Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. Please try to obtain a backtrace following the instructions at http://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebuggingProgramCrash and upload the backtrace (as an attachment) to the bug report. This will greatly help us in tracking down your problem.

Everyone else:
Please log your own separate bugs for crashes. If you have a crash file then you need to use this command to create a useful bug report from it:
   ubuntu-bug /path/to/my.crash

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for gnome-shell (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]

[John Steeves (jstevz4teh1337)]

I've attached my .crash file updated with a symbolic stack trace (as per the above guide).

I've found that I was able to replicate the error by following these steps:
Download and install a copy of Ubuntu Gnome 16.04.2 in VirtualBox.
Open a screen displaying App icons in a menu, such as the app grid in the Gnome Shell overlay or the Arc Menu Gnome Shell extension (https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1228/arc-menu/).
Install all the latest software updates from the Software Updater or Synaptic.
Upgrading all the packages between 16.04.2 to 16.04.3 seems to over-load Gnome Shell and cause the crash in the middle of the installation process.

The crash always seems to occur after opening a screen with app icons and I'm not sure why. I hope this info and my attachment proves helpful in fixing the issue.

Thanks in advance!

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Everyone other than gnufied, please log your own separate bugs so we don't get potentially different issues confused.

[fermulator (fermulator)]

I do not know why this was changed to invalid. This is a critical issue that has clearly introduced a regression set of crashes.

(there MAY be confusing reports from other users for other issues, but I can confirm the originally submitted report)

This isn't fun, several times per day a crash:
{{{
$ dmesg -T | grep seg
[Thu Nov 9 09:58:27 2017] gnome-shell[17846]: segfault at e8 ip 00007fd954f6d6a2 sp 00007ffe04425eb8 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7fd954f30000+d4000]
[Thu Nov 9 10:11:16 2017] dota2[22006]: segfault at 0 ip 00007fef2866683a sp 00007fff560539a0 error 6 in libtier0.so[7fef28630000+80000]
[Thu Nov 9 13:04:18 2017] gnome-shell[1356]: segfault at e8 ip 00007f15ccddd6a2 sp 00007fff9ecf47f8 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7f15ccda0000+d4000]
[Thu Nov 9 17:16:45 2017] gnome-shell[14440]: segfault at e8 ip 00007f196afdd6a2 sp 00007ffea13b5948 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7f196afa0000+d4000]
[Thu Nov 9 17:16:52 2017] dconf worker[18015]: segfault at 52c ip 00000000004a133c sp 00007f351f7e6170 error 4 in perl[400000+1cf000]
[Thu Nov 9 20:35:24 2017] gnome-shell[32271]: segfault at e8 ip 00007fd6ef0256a2 sp 00007ffebb0d3608 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7fd6eefe8000+d4000]
[Thu Nov 9 20:42:09 2017] gnome-shell[11070]: segfault at 23 ip 00007fc2bd8687bf sp 00007fffcc3bc680 error 4 in libgnome-desktop-3.so.12.0.0[7fc2bd848000+39000]
[Thu Nov 9 23:13:09 2017] gnome-shell[24832]: segfault at 6 ip 00007fb95e624818 sp 00007ffc656ced30 error 4 in libgio-2.0.so.0.4800.2[7fb95e560000+180000]
[Thu Nov 9 23:51:17 2017] gnome-shell[3253]: segfault at e8 ip 00007f2d1f4756a2 sp 00007fff455b3128 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7f2d1f438000+d4000]
[Fri Nov 10 01:09:27 2017] gnome-shell[31134]: segfault at e8 ip 00007f3b923756a2 sp 00007fff91dea558 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7f3b92338000+d4000]
[Fri Nov 10 01:12:43 2017] gnome-shell[9188]: segfault at e8 ip 00007f683370d6a2 sp 00007ffffca20198 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7f68336d0000+d4000]
[Fri Nov 10 03:40:54 2017] gnome-shell[25978]: segfault at e8 ip 00007f8af06ed6a2 sp 00007ffdf3c5cfc8 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7f8af06b0000+d4000]
[Sat Nov 11 00:49:59 2017] gnome-shell[31566]: segfault at e8 ip 00007ffab7ae56a2 sp 00007fff76561338 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7ffab7aa8000+d4000]
[Sat Nov 11 20:01:10 2017] gnome-shell[23459]: segfault at e8 ip 00007f6a4c1dd6a2 sp 00007ffdfcd62008 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7f6a4c1a0000+d4000]
[Sat Nov 11 21:05:36 2017] gnome-shell[28874]: segfault at e8 ip 00007f48523d56a2 sp 00007ffd15fbc738 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7f4852398000+d4000]
}}}

My setup:
 * Dual monitors
 * OFTEN switch between users
    a) using the GDM3 "switch user" GUI
    b) using CTRL+ALT+FXX quick flips
 * Daily I suspend the system and resume (Power Management)

Versions
{{{
$ cat /etc/issue
Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS \n \l

$ uname -a
Linux <hostname> 4.4.0-98-generic #121-Ubuntu SMP Tue Oct 10 14:24:03 UTC 2017 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

$ dpkg --list | grep gnome-shell
ii chrome-gnome-shell 9-0ubuntu1~ubuntu16.04.3 all GNOME Shell extensions integration for web browsers
ii gnome-...

[James Cuzella (trinitronx)]

I am seeing gnome-shell crashes also. However, it usually appears related to OpenGL window resize events as well as xrandr display resolution changes.

Errors in dmesg mention libmutter:

[15040.472843] gnome-shell[32127]: segfault at 8 ip 00007f327f29d5d0 sp 00007ffeccf94a38 error 4 in libmutter-1.so.0.0.0[7f327f243000+142000]

[James Cuzella (trinitronx)]

I've added more details for the crash I am seeing in this bug:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-shell/+bug/911591

[fermulator (fermulator)]

Isn't it weird that my stack trace is for "libgdk-3.so" ... and not "libgtk"? (g vs. t)

[fermulator (fermulator)]

@James your stack trace and issue (bug/911591) appear to be different from this.

[James Cuzella (trinitronx)]

So due to differing stacktrace here, I think #911591 is likely a different issue than this one. Different stack library means different codepath.

@fermulator: Does seem a bit odd at first glance... does gnome-shell use .NET or C# (gdk-sharp)?

libgdk3.0 is a valid package name in Ubuntu, but descriptions all mention it has to do with implementing a .NET interface for GTK+ 3.0 toolkit.

URL Homepage for package is: http://www.mono-project.com/GtkSharp

Here is package info:

    $ apt-cache search libgdk
    libgdk-pixbuf2.0-0 - GDK Pixbuf library
    libgdk-pixbuf2.0-bin - GDK Pixbuf library (thumbnailer)
    libgdk-pixbuf2.0-common - GDK Pixbuf library - data files
    libgdk-pixbuf2.0-dev - GDK Pixbuf library (development files)
    libgdk-pixbuf2.0-doc - GDK Pixbuf library (documentation)
    libg3d-plugin-gdkpixbuf - plugin for the LibG3D library
    libgdk3.0-cil - CLI binding for GDK 3
    libgdk3.0-cil-dev - CLI binding for GDK 3

    $ apt-cache show libgdk3.0
    Package: libgdk3.0-cil
    Architecture: amd64
    Version: 2.99.3-2
    Priority: optional
    Section: universe/cli-mono
    Source: gtk-sharp3
    Origin: Ubuntu
    Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <email address hidden>
    Original-Maintainer: Debian CLI Libraries Team <email address hidden>
    Bugs: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+filebug
    Installed-Size: 412
    Depends: cli-common (>= 0.5.1), libcairo1.10-cil (>= 2.99.3), libgdk-pixbuf2.0-0 (>= 2.31.1), libgio3.0-cil (>= 2.99.3), libglib2.0-0 (>= 2.43.1), libglib3.0-cil (>= 2.99.3), libgtk-3-0 (>= 3.12.2), libmono-corlib4.5-cil (>= 3.2.8), libpango3.0-cil (>= 2.99.3)
    Filename: pool/universe/g/gtk-sharp3/libgdk3.0-cil_2.99.3-2_amd64.deb
    Size: 84008
    MD5sum: 4dc47424652bae431389710a6f5628d4
    SHA1: f7960a7eb72c28ff5a9352dd603b087991809f7b
    SHA256: c00f0ad60a8e2c95a819ebb957b77cbdabacefb4dfcef990995db2507408d5bd
    Homepage: http://www.mono-project.com/GtkSharp
    Description-en: CLI binding for GDK 3
     This package provides the gdk-sharp assembly that allows CLI (.NET) programs
     to use the GDK 3 library.
     .
     GTK# 3.0 is a CLI (.NET) language binding for the GTK+ 3.0 toolkit and related
     libraries.
    Description-md5: 1d11935b917caa88ff30761d32191467
    Task: edubuntu-desktop-gnome

    Package: libgdk3.0-cil-dev
    Architecture: amd64
    Version: 2.99.3-2
    Priority: optional
    Section: universe/cli-mono
    Source: gtk-sharp3
    Origin: Ubuntu
    Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <email address hidden>
    Original-Maintainer: Debian CLI Libraries Team <email address hidden>
    Bugs: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+filebug
    Installed-Size: 258
    Depends: libgdk3.0-cil (= 2.99.3-2), libglib3.0-cil-dev (= 2.99.3-2)
    Suggests: monodoc-gtk3.0-manual
    Conflicts: libgtk3.0-cil-dev (<< 2.99.3~)
    Replaces: libgtk3.0-cil-dev (<< 2.99.3~)
    Filename: pool/universe/g/gtk-sharp3/libgdk3.0-cil-dev_2.99.3-2_amd64.deb
    Size: 24638
    MD5sum: fb72153afddcc335faf6bea1c7cb7b7b
    SHA1: 909a16bf9235a9f8484988140e1b1b40909de86a
    SHA256: c3d1d7eaa30cb7592d7d38903b23eb210e073f22e75012fef...

[James Cuzella (trinitronx)]

@fermulator: It looks like it's likely to be https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GDK

    $ sudo find /usr/ -iname 'libgdk-3.so*' -exec dpkg -S '{}' \;
    libgtk-3-dev:amd64: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libgdk-3.so
    libgtk-3-0:amd64: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libgdk-3.so.0
    libgtk-3-0:amd64: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libgdk-3.so.0.2200.25

So library filename is "libgdk-3.so.*" while package which owns it is "libgtk-3-0*"

[jacobslewis (jacobslewis)]

I find that Gnome crashes frequently when using Google Chrome, as well as when I'm undertaking computation-heavy tasks (statistical analysis, etc.)

Log output:

INFO: task gnome-shell:1491 blocked for more than 120 seconds.

Unrecoverable failure in required component org.gnome.Shell.desktop

CRITICAL: Unable to create a DBus proxy for GnomeScreensaver: Error calling StartServiceByName for org.gnome.ScreenSaver: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.Spawn.ChildExited: Process org.gnome.ScreenSaver exited with status 1

[fermulator (fermulator)]

Similar outputs, although of note my libgdk is older than yours
```
$ sudo find /usr/ -iname 'libgdk-3.so*' -exec dpkg -S '{}' \;
libgtk-3-dev:amd64: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libgdk-3.so
libgtk-3-0:amd64: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libgdk-3.so.0
libgtk-3-0:amd64: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9
libgtk-3-0:i386: /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libgdk-3.so.0
libgtk-3-0:i386: /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9
```

I've just restarted gnome-shell from a terminal, so next time it crashes I'll hopefully have more logs.

One additional bit of information:
```
Dec 6 21:47:44 fermmy gnome-session[9885]: (gnome-shell:10011): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_widget_get_window: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Dec 6 21:47:44 fermmy kernel: [225347.940591] gnome-shell[10011]: segfault at e8 ip 00007f6d239876a2 sp 00007ffcebaa54b8 error 4 in libgdk-3.so.0.1800.9[7f6d2394a000+d4000]
```
, the last time it crashed today, syslog shows a Gtk-CRITICAL failure just prior to the segfault.

[fermulator (fermulator)]

bah, useless, this is all i got:
```
(gnome-shell:13599): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_widget_get_window: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Segmentation fault
```

[fermulator (fermulator)]

In an attempt to acquire more detailed debug...
```

$ gdb --args gnome-shell --replace
GNU gdb (Ubuntu 7.11.1-0ubuntu1~16.5) 7.11.1
Copyright (C) 2016 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later <http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it.
There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law. Type "show copying"
and "show warranty" for details.
This GDB was configured as "x86_64-linux-gnu".
Type "show configuration" for configuration details.
For bug reporting instructions, please see:
<http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/>.
Find the GDB manual and other documentation resources online at:
<http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/documentation/>.
For help, type "help".
Type "apropos word" to search for commands related to "word"...
Reading symbols from gnome-shell...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
(gdb) run
Starting program: /usr/bin/gnome-shell --replace
[Thread debugging using libthread_db enabled]

(SNIP) - bunch of debug/info logs

# then it borked

(gnome-shell:5119): Clutter-WARNING **: Failed to set the markup of the actor 'ClutterText': Error on line 1: Entity did not end with a semicolon; most likely you used an ampersand character without intending to start an entity - escape ampersand as &amp;

(gnome-shell:5119): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_widget_get_window: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed

Thread 1 "gnome-shell" received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
0x00007ffff1c4c6a2 in ?? () from /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libgdk-3.so.0
(gdb)
(gdb)
(gdb)
(gdb)
(gdb) Exception ignored in: <gdb.GdbOutputFile object at 0x7f7a8986a550>
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/share/gdb/python/gdb/__init__.py", line 43, in flush
    def flush(self):
KeyboardInterrupt

```

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Please see comment #13 and #16.

For crashes it is important that everyone initially logs their own bug. This bug is for user 'gnufied' only, and has expired due to lack of response from them.

Yes, gnome-shell has many crashes. We are tracking them and trying to get them fixed. However it is counterproductive for multiple people to share the same bug unless they can prove they have the same stack trace. Since there is no stack trace from the original reporter, nobody else should be jumping on board with this one just yet.

Ideally, if you have a crash, please look for crash files in /var/crash and then upload them only using this command:

  ubuntu-bug /var/crash/YOURFILE.crash

You may then want to leave a comment here telling us your new bug ID.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Also, please avoid attaching crash files to bugs. That is a potential security risk for yourself.

[fermulator (fermulator)]

Submitted my own in #1739525

[Oyedotun Sodiq (oyedotun045)]

REINSTALL GNOME SHELL

sudo apt install gnome-session

THE RESULT OF ABOVE WILL INSTALL LATEST GNOME ON UR DESKTOP

UPDATE AND UPGRADE

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get upgrade

CHECK GNOME VERSION

gnome-shell --version

RESULT SHOULD BE GNOME Shell 3.26.2

RESTART UR SYSTEM

FURTHER OPTION, NOT NECCESSARY THO, U CUD INTEGRATE UR FAVORITE BROWSER WTH GNOME TO WORK BETTER,FASTER AND EFFICIENTLY: SEE HELP LINK BELOW

https://wiki.gnome.org/Projects/GnomeShellIntegrationForChrome/Installation