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quorrafromtron

Member

Registered: 2025-09-11

Posts: 4

[SOLVED] xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service fails to start on X startup.

I've been dealing with an issue that I'm only just now bothering to address where some apps aren't able to open a file picker, and I believe I've narrowed it down to the fact that apparently my XDG desktop portal backend is failing to start with the X gui. (For context I'm booting into X via startx on the command line instead of automatically)

Here's the status right after starting up X:

$ systemctl --user status xdg-desktop-portal-gtk
× xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service - Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation)
     Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/user/xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service; static)
     Active: failed (Result: exit-code) since Thu 2025-09-11 14:35:09 EDT; 30s ago
 Invocation: 2b74f6d2cc034abf86c174801854c96e
    Process: 1639 ExecStart=/usr/lib/xdg-desktop-portal-gtk (code=exited, status=1/FAILURE)
   Main PID: 1639 (code=exited, status=1/FAILURE)

Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).

and journalctl:

$ journalctl --user -xeu xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Starting Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation)...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 134.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra xdg-desktop-por[1541]: cannot open display:
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=1/FAILURE
░░ Subject: Unit process exited
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ An ExecStart= process belonging to unit UNIT has exited.
░░
░░ The process' exit code is 'exited' and its exit status is 1.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 134 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Starting Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation)...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 155.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra xdg-desktop-por[1589]: cannot open display:
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=1/FAILURE
░░ Subject: Unit process exited
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ An ExecStart= process belonging to unit UNIT has exited.
░░
░░ The process' exit code is 'exited' and its exit status is 1.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 155 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Starting Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation)...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 176.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra xdg-desktop-por[1623]: cannot open display:
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=1/FAILURE
░░ Subject: Unit process exited
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ An ExecStart= process belonging to unit UNIT has exited.
░░
░░ The process' exit code is 'exited' and its exit status is 1.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 176 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Starting Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation)...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 197.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra xdg-desktop-por[1634]: cannot open display:
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=1/FAILURE
░░ Subject: Unit process exited
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ An ExecStart= process belonging to unit UNIT has exited.
░░
░░ The process' exit code is 'exited' and its exit status is 1.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 197 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Starting Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation)...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 218.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra xdg-desktop-por[1639]: cannot open display:
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=1/FAILURE
░░ Subject: Unit process exited
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ An ExecStart= process belonging to unit UNIT has exited.
░░
░░ The process' exit code is 'exited' and its exit status is 1.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 218 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 239 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 260 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 281 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 327 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 348 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 369 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 390 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 411 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:11 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:11 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:11 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 454 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 524 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 545 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 566 and the job result is failed.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
░░ Subject: Unit failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'.
Sep 11 14:35:13 quorra systemd[959]: Failed to start Portal service (GTK/GNOME implementation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/systemd-devel
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished with a failure.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 587 and the job result is failed.

The problem appears to be related to this "cannot open display" error, but maybe my google-fu is lacking but I can't find any info regarding this specific situation.
I'm also using Awesome Window Manager, in case that's related.

Last edited by quorrafromtron (2025-09-11 22:38:55)

V1del

Forum Moderator

Registered: 2012-10-16

Posts: 25,132

Re: [SOLVED] xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service fails to start on X startup.

How does your .xinitrc look like and have you seen the second note in https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Xinit#xinitrc ?

quorrafromtron

Member

Registered: 2025-09-11

Posts: 4

Re: [SOLVED] xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service fails to start on X startup.

How does your .xinitrc look like...

# Display orientation
xrandr --output DP-2 --rotate right
xrandr --output HDMI-2 --rotate left
xrandr --output DP-2 --left-of DP-1
xrandr --output HDMI-2 --right-of DP-1
xrandr --output DP-1 --pos 1080x420
xrandr --output HDMI-1 --below DP-1

# turn off Display Power Management Service (DPMS)
xset -dpms

# turn off black Screensaver
xset s off

# Compositor
picom -b

export XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=awesome

# Finish initialization with starting the window manager
exec awesome

That export is a potentially naive attempt to fix the problem here.

... and have you seen the second note in https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Xinit#xinitrc ?

I hadn't seen that note. Adding that if block prior to the export doesn't appear to change things however.

# Display orientation
xrandr --output DP-2 --rotate right
xrandr --output HDMI-2 --rotate left
xrandr --output DP-2 --left-of DP-1
xrandr --output HDMI-2 --right-of DP-1
xrandr --output DP-1 --pos 1080x420
xrandr --output HDMI-1 --below DP-1

# turn off Display Power Management Service (DPMS)
xset -dpms

# turn off black Screensaver
xset s off

# Compositor
picom -b

# start some nice programs

if [ -d "$xinitdir"/xinitrc.d ] ; then
	for f in "$xinitdir/xinitrc.d"/?*.sh ; do
		[ -x "$f" ] && . "$f"
	done
	unset f
fi

export XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=awesome

# Finish initialization with starting the window manager
exec awesome

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 74,903

Re: [SOLVED] xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service fails to start on X startup.

Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra xdg-desktop-por[1639]: cannot open display:

should™ be gone?
If not, please reboot and  post your complete system journal for the boot:

sudo journalctl -b | curl -F 'file=@-' 0x0.st

And in general please *NEVER* use "-x" w/ journalctl, it just spams massive noise.

---

How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

quorrafromtron

Member

Registered: 2025-09-11

Posts: 4

Re: [SOLVED] xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service fails to start on X startup.

Sep 11 14:35:09 quorra xdg-desktop-por[1639]: cannot open display:

should™ be gone?
If not, please reboot and  post your complete system journal for the boot:

sudo journalctl -b | curl -F 'file=@-' 0x0.st

I'm still getting that error it seems. Here you go: http://0x0.st/Kb4j.txt

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 74,903

Re: [SOLVED] xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service fails to start on X startup.

Ah, you just copied a part of the default xinitrc and $xinitdir is not set, ie. your block does nothing.

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How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

quorrafromtron

Member

Registered: 2025-09-11

Posts: 4

Re: [SOLVED] xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service fails to start on X startup.

Holy shit ok that worked!
I've literally been daily driving this thing for over a year now and never figured out how to fix that, thanks!

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 74,903

Re: [SOLVED] xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service fails to start on X startup.

\o/
Please always remember to mark resolved threads by editing your initial posts subject - so others will know that there's no task left, but maybe a solution to find.
Thanks.

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How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

thrtx

Member

Registered: 2014-01-16

Posts: 15

Re: [SOLVED] xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service fails to start on X startup.

I know this is resolved, but I just want to second Seth's comment above: after a sudden failure of `xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service` with i3, adding the following to the .xinitrc resolved the problem.

xinitdir="/etc/X11/xinit"

if [ -d "$xinitdir"/xinitrc.d ] ; then
	for f in "$xinitdir/xinitrc.d"/?*.sh ; do
		[ -x "$f" ] && . "$f"
	done
	unset f
fi

schard

Forum Moderator

From: Hannover

Registered: 2016-05-06

Posts: 2,635

Website

Re: [SOLVED] xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.service fails to start on X startup.

Mod note: Closing this old, solved thread.

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