Super key not working anymore

[creak (Romain Failliot)]

Hello!

I am using Fedora with vanilla GNOME + a few extensions since Fedora 25 and since Fedora 32 the Super key doesn’t work anymore.

Since it was an upgrade from Fedora 31, I just freshly reinstalled Fedora 32, but I still have the issue. I tried with another keyboard and I got the same issue as well (keyboard brands: Cooler Master and WASD).

That said, my machine in the living room is also on Feodra 32, but it’s using a Logitech wireless keyboard (with a proprietary USB dongle), and there the Super key works!

Do you have any idea why it was working before and now it doesn’t? Is it an upstream bug and a fix is on the way?

Thank you!

[alexpl (Alexander Ploumistos)]

Hi creak and welcome to the forum.

Does evtest (run it as root, then identify your keyboard) see the keypress and print the correct scancode and keycode?

@creak

I am using Fedora with vanilla GNOME

Are you running on X or Wayland?

@creak

• a few extensions

Which extensions? Does your super key function when you disable them?

[creak (Romain Failliot)]

Thanks for replying

Does evtest (run it as root, then identify your keyboard) see the keypress and print the correct scancode and keycode?

Both Super keys don’t print anything (it works for the other keys).

Are you running on X or Wayland?

I have the issue on both, I tested with evtest on wayland.

Which extensions?

• Bluetooth quick connect
• KStatusNotifier/AppIndicator Support
• Sound inpout & output device chooser

Does your super key function when you disable them?

Nope

[creak (Romain Failliot)]

Hi again!

So… my bad… it seems that it is my keyboard that is faulty. I tested again with my WASD keyboard and there the Super keys work fine.

At least I learn evtest! A new tool in my toolbox

Thank you again for taking the time to reply, I will take my keyboard apart now and see what is broken!

[rbirkner (Rafael Birkner)]

Could you quickly explain what is the “super” key? For me it is the on/off switch (fixes it all when it freezes)

[alexpl (Alexander Ploumistos)]

Super key (keyboard button)

[creak (Romain Failliot)]

It’s the Windows key, but in the Linux world, we call it Super (apparently because it was named like that before Microsoft decided otherwise )

[rbirkner (Rafael Birkner)]

OK, but then I have no problem calling this special key a “windows” key even on linux or macos (as they happen to have windowed UIs), probably this key will not have any function in a terminal window (even if it could)

[creak (Romain Failliot)]

Super is good to know since it is part of Linux. That is why you see “Super” and not “Windows” in the keyboard visualizations:

[alexpl (Alexander Ploumistos)]

@rbirkner

probably this key will not have any function in a terminal window (even if it could)

You can do whatever you want with your keys on Linux, from assigning shortcuts for specific actions in applications, including the terminal, to completely remapping them. And if you have to regularly type characters and symbols beyond ASCII (° ≠ ô ≥ ⇒ etc.), the compose key is indispensable.