How to fix a frozen Fedora Gnome desktop session

Sometimes, my Fedora desktop is frozen, I’m blocked. The PC is still connected on the network, I can ping it from another computer.

If you can ssh to your frozen Fedora, here are the commands I’m doing to fix my computer.

Check the Linux and desktop version

Check which desktop session you are running (DESKTOP_SESSION is deprecated):

[moore@mux ~]$ echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP 
GNOME

[moore@mux ~]$ echo $DESKTOP_SESSION
gnome

[moore@mux ~]$ echo $XDG_SESSION_DESKTOP 
gnome

Check the version of Linux you are running, I’m running one Fedora 33 Silverblue:

[moore@mux ~]$ cat /etc/os-release 
NAME=Fedora
VERSION="33.20210924.0 (Silverblue)"
ID=fedora
VERSION_ID=33
VERSION_CODENAME=""
PLATFORM_ID="platform:f33"
PRETTY_NAME="Fedora 33.20210924.0 (Silverblue)"
ANSI_COLOR="0;38;2;60;110;180"
LOGO=fedora-logo-icon
CPE_NAME="cpe:/o:fedoraproject:fedora:33"
HOME_URL="https://fedoraproject.org/"
DOCUMENTATION_URL="https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-silverblue/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Communicating_and_getting_help"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugzilla.redhat.com/"
REDHAT_BUGZILLA_PRODUCT="Fedora"
REDHAT_BUGZILLA_PRODUCT_VERSION=33
REDHAT_SUPPORT_PRODUCT="Fedora"
REDHAT_SUPPORT_PRODUCT_VERSION=33
PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Legal:PrivacyPolicy"
VARIANT="Silverblue"
VARIANT_ID=silverblue
OSTREE_VERSION='33.20210924.0'

Get the log

I’ve searched quickly but I didn’t find the root cause.

[moore@mux ~]$ journalctl --user -b -u gnome-shell-wayland.service
...
Aug 31 00:14:18 localhost kernel: input: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard as /devices/platform/i8042/serio0/input/input4
Aug 31 00:14:23 localhost.localdomain systemd-logind[734]: Watching system buttons on /dev/input/event4 (AT Translated Set 2 keyboard)
Aug 31 00:14:29 localhost.localdomain org.gnome.Shell.desktop[1172]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
Aug 31 00:14:29 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1029]: AT-SPI: Could not obtain desktop path or name
Aug 31 00:14:30 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1029]: atk-bridge: GetRegisteredEvents returned message with unknown signature
Aug 31 00:14:30 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1029]: atk-bridge: get_device_events_reply: unknown signature
Aug 31 00:14:30 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1029]: atk-bridge: get_device_events_reply: unknown signature
Aug 31 00:14:30 localhost.localdomain org.gnome.Shell.desktop[1209]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
Aug 31 00:14:30 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1045]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:playback-random
Aug 31 00:14:30 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1045]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:hibernate
Aug 31 00:14:30 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1045]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:rfkill
Aug 31 00:14:30 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1045]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:playback-repeat
Aug 31 02:03:15 localhost kernel: input: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard as /devices/platform/i8042/serio0/input/input4
Aug 31 02:03:21 localhost.localdomain systemd-logind[745]: Watching system buttons on /dev/input/event4 (AT Translated Set 2 keyboard)
Aug 31 02:03:27 localhost.localdomain org.gnome.Shell.desktop[1166]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
Aug 31 02:03:27 localhost.localdomain org.gnome.Shell.desktop[1181]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
Aug 31 02:03:27 localhost.localdomain /usr/libexec/gdm-wayland-session[915]: dbus-daemon[915]: [session uid=42 pid=915] Activating service name='ca.desrt.dconf' requested by ':1.18' (uid=42 pid=1028 comm="/usr/libexec/gsd-keyboard " label="system_u:system_r:xdm_t:s0-s0:c0.c1023")
Aug 31 02:03:27 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1028]: AT-SPI: Could not obtain desktop path or name
Aug 31 02:03:27 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1028]: atk-bridge: GetRegisteredEvents returned message with unknown signature
Aug 31 02:03:27 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1028]: atk-bridge: get_device_events_reply: unknown signature
Aug 31 02:03:27 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1028]: atk-bridge: get_device_events_reply: unknown signature
Aug 31 02:03:27 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1051]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:hibernate
Aug 31 02:03:27 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1051]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:playback-repeat
Aug 31 02:03:27 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1051]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:playback-random
Aug 31 02:03:27 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1051]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:rfkill
Aug 31 02:03:30 localhost.localdomain gnome-shell[938]: JS WARNING: [resource:///org/gnome/shell/ui/keyboard.js 1113]: reference to undefined property "icon"
Aug 31 02:05:06 localhost kernel: input: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard as /devices/platform/i8042/serio0/input/input4
Aug 31 02:05:11 localhost.localdomain systemd-logind[731]: Watching system buttons on /dev/input/event4 (AT Translated Set 2 keyboard)
Aug 31 02:05:17 localhost.localdomain org.gnome.Shell.desktop[1160]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
Aug 31 02:05:17 localhost.localdomain org.gnome.Shell.desktop[1195]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
Aug 31 02:05:17 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1028]: AT-SPI: Could not obtain desktop path or name
Aug 31 02:05:17 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1028]: atk-bridge: GetRegisteredEvents returned message with unknown signature
Aug 31 02:05:17 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1028]: atk-bridge: get_device_events_reply: unknown signature
Aug 31 02:05:17 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1028]: atk-bridge: get_device_events_reply: unknown signature
Aug 31 02:05:18 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1039]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:playback-repeat
Aug 31 02:05:18 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1039]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:rfkill
Aug 31 02:05:18 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1039]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:playback-random
Aug 31 02:05:18 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1039]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:hibernate
Aug 31 02:08:13 localhost kernel: input: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard as /devices/platform/i8042/serio0/input/input4

...

Sep 09 13:00:25 localhost kernel: input: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard as /devices/platform/i8042/serio0/input/input4
Sep 09 13:00:30 localhost.localdomain systemd-logind[739]: Watching system buttons on /dev/input/event4 (AT Translated Set 2 keyboard)
Sep 09 13:00:12 localhost.localdomain org.gnome.Shell.desktop[1213]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
Sep 09 13:00:12 localhost.localdomain org.gnome.Shell.desktop[1225]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
Sep 09 13:00:12 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1072]: AT-SPI: Could not obtain desktop path or name
Sep 09 13:00:12 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1072]: atk-bridge: GetRegisteredEvents returned message with unknown signature
Sep 09 13:00:12 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1072]: atk-bridge: get_device_events_reply: unknown signature
Sep 09 13:00:12 localhost.localdomain gsd-keyboard[1072]: atk-bridge: get_device_events_reply: unknown signature
Sep 09 13:00:13 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1086]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:rfkill
Sep 09 13:00:13 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1086]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:playback-random
Sep 09 13:00:13 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1086]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:playback-repeat
Sep 09 13:00:13 localhost.localdomain gsd-media-keys[1086]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:hibernate
Sep 09 13:00:14 localhost.localdomain gnome-shell[878]: JS WARNING: [resource:///org/gnome/shell/ui/keyboard.js 1113]: reference to undefined property "icon"
Sep 09 13:04:35 mux.home kernel: usb 1-5: Product: USB-compliant keyboard
Sep 09 13:04:35 mux.home kernel: input: Plus More Enterprise LTD. USB-compliant keyboard as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-5/1-5:1.0/0003:0518:0001.0003/input/input21
Sep 09 13:04:35 mux.home kernel: hid-generic 0003:0518:0001.0003: input,hidraw0: USB HID v1.10 Keyboard [Plus More Enterprise LTD. USB-compliant keyboard] on usb-0000:00:14.0-5/input0
Sep 09 13:04:35 mux.home kernel: input: Plus More Enterprise LTD. USB-compliant keyboard Mouse as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-5/1-5:1.1/0003:0518:0001.0004/input/input22
Sep 09 13:04:35 mux.home kernel: input: Plus More Enterprise LTD. USB-compliant keyboard Consumer Control as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-5/1-5:1.1/0003:0518:0001.0004/input/input23
Sep 09 13:04:35 mux.home kernel: input: Plus More Enterprise LTD. USB-compliant keyboard System Control as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-5/1-5:1.1/0003:0518:0001.0004/input/input24
Sep 09 13:04:35 mux.home kernel: hid-generic 0003:0518:0001.0004: input,hidraw2: USB HID v1.10 Mouse [Plus More Enterprise LTD. USB-compliant keyboard] on usb-0000:00:14.0-5/input1
Sep 09 13:04:35 mux.home systemd-logind[739]: Watching system buttons on /dev/input/event23 (Plus More Enterprise LTD. USB-compliant keyboard System Control)
Sep 09 13:04:35 mux.home systemd-logind[739]: Watching system buttons on /dev/input/event6 (Plus More Enterprise LTD. USB-compliant keyboard)
Sep 09 13:04:35 mux.home systemd-logind[739]: Watching system buttons on /dev/input/event22 (Plus More Enterprise LTD. USB-compliant keyboard Consumer Control)
Sep 09 13:48:23 mux.home org.gnome.Shell.desktop[878]: libinput error: event6  - Plus More Enterprise LTD. USB-compliant keyboard: client bug: event processing lagging behind by 179ms, your system is too slow
Sep 09 13:49:09 mux.home org.gnome.Shell.desktop[878]: libinput error: event6  - Plus More Enterprise LTD. USB-compliant keyboard: client bug: event processing lagging behind by 18ms, your system is too slow
Sep 09 13:49:16 mux.home systemd[1555]: Starting GNOME Keyboard handling...
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home systemd[1555]: Started GNOME Keyboard handling.
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home systemd[1555]: Reached target GNOME Keyboard handling.
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gsd-media-keys[1900]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:rfkill
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gsd-media-keys[1900]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:hibernate
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gsd-media-keys[1900]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:playback-random
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gsd-media-keys[1900]: Failed to grab accelerator for keybinding settings:playback-repeat
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gnome-shell[2124]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gnome-shell[2135]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
...
Sep 09 13:49:15 mux.home systemd[1555]: Starting GNOME Shell on Wayland...
Sep 09 13:49:15 mux.home gnome-shell[1759]: glamor: No eglstream capable devices found
Sep 09 13:49:15 mux.home gnome-shell[1670]: Unset XDG_SESSION_ID, getCurrentSessionProxy() called outside a user session. Asking logind directly.
Sep 09 13:49:15 mux.home gnome-shell[1670]: Will monitor session 2
Sep 09 13:49:16 mux.home gnome-shell[1670]: Telepathy is not available, chat integration will be disabled.
Sep 09 13:49:16 mux.home systemd[1555]: Started GNOME Shell on Wayland.
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gnome-shell[1670]: Error looking up permission: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.portal.Error.NotFound: No entry for geolocation
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gnome-shell[2124]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gnome-shell[2124]: > Internal error:   Could not resolve keysym XF86FullScreen
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gnome-shell[2124]: Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gnome-shell[2135]: The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gnome-shell[2135]: > Warning:          Unsupported maximum keycode 569, clipping.
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gnome-shell[2135]: >                   X11 cannot support keycodes above 255.
Sep 09 13:49:17 mux.home gnome-shell[2135]: Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
Sep 09 13:49:18 mux.home ibus-daemon[1764]: GChildWatchSource: Exit status of a child process was requested but ECHILD was received by waitpid(). See the documentation of g_child_wat>
Sep 09 13:49:18 mux.home gnome-shell[1670]: GNOME Shell started at Wed Sep 09 2020 13:49:16 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)
Sep 09 13:49:18 mux.home gnome-shell[1670]: Registering session with GDM

Workaround

When I ssh to the node, I can restart the GDM display manager to fix the frozen desktop:

Restart the GDM service:

[moore@mux ~]$ sudo systemctl restart gdm

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