Arch Linux

matt-3

Member

Registered: 2020-06-09

Posts: 23

i3 keybindings stop working at random (still having this issue)

I know it's bad to "necrobump" so instead, I'm making a new post. FYI, this is the original: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=219250.

I am having the exact same issue to the letter as described in the original post:
- Not in a weird mode (nothing shown in the bar)
- Don't have scroll lock on (has been an issue in the past)
- Every single keybinding acts like it's unbound, i.e. inputs the key as if it were pressed without the modifier key
   * Example: $mod+3 (to switch to the 3rd workspace) inputs "3" into the focused window
- I use the Dvorak layout, but another keyboard (which defaults to QWERTY when I plug it in even though I don't have it in my layouts; some unrelated issue) doesn't work either
- `i3-msg restart` or `reload` doesn't fix it (I was lucky enough to have VS Code open which has an integrated terminal; other times I've had to REISUB to get out of i3)
- Everything else works 100% normally
- I did XF86LogGrabInfo but the resulting info in the log is illegible to me and frankly I don't see how it's relevant
- Tried resetting the keyboard layout with both localectl and setxkbmap; no dice
- Issue occurs completely at random, i.e. not upon hardware changes

I'd really appreciate some guidance here. I can post logs but as-is I don't really know what to post.

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“In science it often happens that scientists say, ‘You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,’ and then they actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again… I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.” —Carl Sagan, 1987 CSICOP keynote address

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,491

Re: i3 keybindings stop working at random (still having this issue)

When this happens, run "xev -event keyboard" and enter a supposed shortcut (eg. "$mod+3")
Post the output.
Also compare the output of "setxkbmap -print -query" in good and bad condition (and for good measure post it) and tell us what your configured $mod is.

illegible to me and frankly I don't see how it's relevant

…
It reveals which combinations hold a passive grab - assuming there's no change to the keyboard layout or the modifier state (eg. an intermittent HW issue where the modifier is simply not recorded) it indicates whether i3 dropped the grab or whether it simply doesn't handle (replays) it.

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matt-3

Member

Registered: 2020-06-09

Posts: 23

Re: i3 keybindings stop working at random (still having this issue)

When this happens, run "xev -event keyboard" and enter a supposed shortcut (eg. "$mod+3")
Post the output.

As this doesn't happen all that often, and I have no idea how to reproduce it, it may be a while until I can get you the exact output. However I do remember that it showed the key being pressed, with the correct name and everything.

Also compare the output of "setxkbmap -print -query" in good and bad condition (and for good measure post it)

Will do next time it occurs.

...tell us what your configured $mod is.

My configured $mod is the Windows key.

It reveals which combinations hold a passive grab

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks! So I should look for entries related to i3 in the output?

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“In science it often happens that scientists say, ‘You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,’ and then they actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again… I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.” —Carl Sagan, 1987 CSICOP keynote address