dock and top bar flashing non-stop at fullscreen in Xorg sessions

[sepukkuhero]

Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS

This problem affects all extensions that alter the dock and top bar. Including the standard extension "Ubuntu dock". All extensions are duly updated to the present date.

I hoped that when entering full screen it would be possible to bring the dock and the top bar when placing the mouse over the respective corners. And in fact it is partially possible.

However, both are flashing, making it impossible to use them in full screen. They blink very fast and you need to click on the correct timing to open the programs on the dock, for example. It is possible to click, but it is as if they were triggered several times, as if I were placing and removing the mouse from the corner very quickly.

I enter the program. Everything is OK. The problem arises when I use the fullscreen. Sometimes the docks and the top bar work perfectly for a while, and then they start flashing.

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ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 20.04
Package: gnome-shell 3.36.4-1ubuntu1~20.04.2
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.4.0-54.60-generic 5.4.65
Uname: Linux 5.4.0-54-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.12
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: skip
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Sun Nov 22 14:07:57 2020
DisplayManager: gdm3
InstallationDate: Installed on 2020-07-24 (120 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS "Focal Fossa" - Release amd64 (20200423)
RelatedPackageVersions: mutter-common 3.36.6-1ubuntu0.20.04.2
SourcePackage: gnome-shell
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to focal on 2020-10-23 (30 days ago)
mtime.conffile..etc.xdg.autostart.gnome-shell-overrides-migration.desktop: 2020-07-25T15:59:00.336431
---
ProblemType: Bug
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.12
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: skip
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
DisplayManager: gdm3
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 20.04
InstallationDate: Installed on 2020-07-24 (121 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS "Focal Fossa" - Release amd64 (20200423)
Package: gnome-shell 3.36.4-1ubuntu1~20.04.2
PackageArchitecture: amd64
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.4.0-54.60-generic 5.4.65
RelatedPackageVersions: mutter-common 3.36.6-1ubuntu0.20.04.2
Tags: focal
Uname: Linux 5.4.0-54-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to focal on 2020-10-23 (30 days ago)
UserGroups: adm cdrom dip lpadmin lxd plugdev sambashare
_MarkForUpload: True
mtime.conffile..etc.xdg.autostart.gnome-shell-overrides-migration.desktop: 2020-07-25T15:59:00.336431

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Thanks for the bug report. Because so many bugs are caused by extensions the first thing we ask is for you to uninstall all of these:

'<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>'

Then tell us if if the problem still occurs. If it doesn't then next please enable just Ubuntu Dock and tell us if the problem happens with only that extension.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

I uninstalled all the extensions mentioned. I also disabled all of them and left only the default Ubuntu Dock.

The problem continues to happen in full screen, despite being apparently more stable.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

Previously I had a problem with double docks at the same time (ubuntu dock and dash to dock)... I solved this problem, but maybe it is related to this new problem?

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Yes having double docks is known to cause bugs. But if you have disabled the above extensions then you shouldn't have double docks at all.

To verify, if the bug is still occurring then please now run:

  gsettings list-recursively org.gnome.shell > shellsettings.txt

and attach the resulting text file here.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Please also run:

  lspci -kv > lspci.txt

and attach the resulting text file here.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

First of all, thanks for the effort in helping me.

The double docks problem was solved by me, but I don't know if there were any side effects.

Do I paste the commands in the terminal? I did but nothing happened. It only appears when I put the content before ">"

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

Here we go. shellsettings.txt

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

lspci.txt

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Thanks. That shows you still have two docks enabled simultaneously, but also a lot of extensions that we don't support and may cause problems:

'<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>', '<email address hidden>'

Please uninstall/disable all but the last one, then log out and in again. Does the problem still occur? If so then please next run:

  apport-collect 1905186

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

apport information

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

apport information

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

apport information

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

apport information

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

apport information

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

apport information

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

All of the above were previously uninstalled. There were some left unmentioned and I just removed them all. The problem continues to happen even after the session ends. In addition, this problem occurs with both my integrated graphics card and the GPU.

I executed your command and sent a full report.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Thanks but that still shows you have a lot of extensions enabled, so let's forcefully clean them out:

  cd ~/.local/share/gnome-shell
  rm -rf extensions
  gsettings reset org.gnome.shell enabled-extensions

then log out and log in again. Does the problem still occur?

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

The last command resulted in this error:

"failed to commit changes to dconf: Não foi possível iniciar automaticamente o D-Bus sem X11 $DISPLAY"

Something like: "D-Bus could not be started automatically without X11 $ DISPLAY"

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

You probably need to be logged into a graphical session before that last command will work.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

I tried to perform with administrator privileges on both "Ubuntu" (default) and "GNOME Xorg". In both it was not possible. But I managed to do it without being an admin, even though nothing came up.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

The problem persists, btw.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

OK, I want to be completely sure the extensions have been cleaned out. Please now run:

  gsettings list-recursively org.gnome.shell > shellsettings22.txt
  ls ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/ > local22.txt

and attach the resulting text files.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

I uninstalled all extensions. They don't appear anywhere: "tweak tools"; "gnome extensions" website or "extensions".

I tried to find the extension files inside ".local> share> gnome-shell> extensions" and I didn't find anything either, even with the function to see hidden files...

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

Is there any way to reset gnome? I have no idea what's going on.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

The attachment in comment #25 shows you still have local extensions installed. Please wipe them by running:

  cd ~/.local/share/gnome-shell
  rm -rf extensions

and then log out and in again. Does the bug still happen?

If for any reason you want to reset ALL your settings to the "factory defaults" then the easiest way to do that is:

  dconf reset -f /

That will reset all your settings, but it won't affect your personal files.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

Okay, I've made significant progress. With the reset I was able to remove the traces from the extensions. I will resend the new "shellsettings22.txt".

I add that I found on the internet something similar to the problem I have: https://github.com/micheleg/dash-to-dock/issues/298

The difference is that my problem persists in different programs (firefox, evince)...

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Your shellsettings/gsettings actually are not a problem anymore. The last problem I can see is that you have local extensions installed in your home directory, which is not part of your "settings". Please wipe them by running:

  cd ~/.local/share/gnome-shell
  rm -rf extensions

and then log out and in again. Does the bug still happen? If so then please run:

  ls ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/ > localext29.txt

and attach the resulting text file here.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

There, I executed the commands. The "extensions" folder disappears afterwards, right?

When installing the dash to dock, to avoid conflict between the docks, what would be the appropriate procedure?

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

The extensions folder no longer exists...

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

Okay. The same problem with the flashing dock happened in all cases. Before I reinstalled "Dash to Dock", I managed to reproduce the problem as in the video above. Then, I installed the aforementioned extension (I disabled the Ubuntu dock previously to avoid conflicts) and tested both Dash to Dock on my own and Ubuntu Dock. Both had the same problem.

Attached is the information requested.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

The impression I have is: maybe some extension (possibly hide top bar) or configuration changed something more intrinsic to the system, which was preserved even after the reset etc.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

I'm not convinced you have a clean setup yet. Please don't install Dash to Dock, or any extensions, while working on this bug.

Please delete it all again:

  cd ~/.local/share/gnome-shell
  rm -rf extensions

and then log out and in again. Do not install any extensions. Now does the bug still occur after you have logged out and in again? If it does then please run:

  ls ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/ >& localext34.txt

and attach the resulting text file here.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Please also run:

  dpkg -l | grep gnome-shell > packages.txt

and attach the resulting text file here.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

Ok, sorry.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

OK, thanks. I forgot something...

Now that you only have Ubuntu extensions installed please start disabling those via the Extensions app. Log out and in again afterwards to be sure.

Then when you're using gnome-shell without any extensions does the bug still occur? If so then please run:

  gsettings list-recursively org.gnome.shell > shellsettings40.txt

and attach the resulting text file here.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

I'm going to sleep. Thank you again.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Thanks. That shows you still have the Ubuntu Dock enabled. Please disable it in the Extensions app and then tell us if this bug still occurs.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

How will I check without a dock?

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

An error symbol also appears in the "Shell" in GNOME tweaks, even after reset etc.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Gnome Shell comes with its own dock which is hidden by default and appears when you click Activities or press the Windows key.

Please disable Ubuntu Dock in the Extensions app and then tell us if this bug still occurs.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

Well, with this limited dock I can't reproduce the bug because it leaves the fullscreen.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Yeah I guess I should have expected that, thanks.

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

Any additional procedures to gather more information about the bug?

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

Actually not fixed :(

[sepukkuhero (sepukkuhero)]

Update: the problem only happens in the session with xorg (gnome or ubuntu) ...

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

It's not surprising this bug would only affect Xorg sessions because only Xorg sessions supported the fullscreen unredirect optimization, until recently.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

In progress upstream:
https://github.com/micheleg/dash-to-dock/pull/2149

Also I have deleted tasks for the now unsupported deb versions of some extensions.