Conflicting keyboard shortcuts

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 116 views

Resolving the Issue with Ctrl+Alt+L Not Activating Screensaver in Ubuntu 14.04

Ubuntu 14.04, a popular Linux distribution, offers a range of features and functionalities to enhance user experience. One such feature is the ability to activate the screensaver using a keyboard shortcut. However, users have reported that the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+L, which was initially working, now locks the account and takes the user to the lock screen instead of activating the screensaver. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons behind this issue and provide a step-by-step guide to resolve it.

The issue with Ctrl+Alt+L not activating the screensaver in Ubuntu 14.04 is a common problem faced by many users. The shortcut, which was initially working, has stopped functioning after a reinstall of the operating system. This has left users wondering why the shortcut is not working as expected. To resolve this issue, it is essential to understand the underlying cause.

There are several possible reasons why Ctrl+Alt+L is not activating the screensaver in Ubuntu 14.04. Some of the possible causes include:

Incorrect configuration: The shortcut may have been changed or modified during the reinstall process, leading to the issue.
Conflicting keyboard shortcuts: Other keyboard shortcuts may be conflicting with Ctrl+Alt+L, preventing it from working as expected.
Screen saver settings: The screen saver settings may be set to lock the account instead of activating the screensaver.

To resolve the issue with Ctrl+Alt+L not activating the screensaver in Ubuntu 14.04, follow these troubleshooting steps:

Step 1: Check the Keyboard Shortcut Settings

Open the Keyboard Settings: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type gnome-control-center, and press Enter to open the Keyboard settings.
Navigate to the Shortcuts Tab: In the Keyboard settings, navigate to the Shortcuts tab.
Check the Screensaver Shortcut: In the Shortcuts tab, look for the Screensaver shortcut and check if it is set to Ctrl+Alt+L.

Step 2: Check for Conflicting Keyboard Shortcuts

Open the Keyboard Settings: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type gnome-control-center, and press Enter to open the Keyboard settings.
Navigate to the Shortcuts Tab: In the Keyboard settings, navigate to the Shortcuts tab.
Check for Conflicting Shortcuts: In the Shortcuts tab, look for any shortcuts that may be conflicting with Ctrl+Alt+L.

Step 3: Check the Screen Saver Settings

Open the Screen Saver Settings: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type gnome-screensaver, and press Enter to open the Screen Saver settings.
Check the Screen Saver Settings: In the Screen Saver settings, check if the Lock account after option is set to Never.

Step 4: Reset the Keyboard Shortcut Settings

Open the Terminal: Press the Ctrl+Alt+T keys to open the Terminal.
Reset the Keyboard Shortcut Settings: In the Terminal, type the following command and press Enter:

gsettings reset org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings screensaver

Restart the System: Restart the system to apply the changes.

The issue with Ctrl+Alt+L not activating the screensaver in Ubuntu 14.04 can be resolved by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article. By checking the keyboard shortcut settings, checking for conflicting keyboard shortcuts, checking the screen saver settings, and resetting the keyboard shortcut settings, users can resolve the issue and get their screensaver working as expected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ctrl+Alt+L Not Activating Screensaver in Ubuntu 14.04

A: The issue with Ctrl+Alt+L not activating the screensaver in Ubuntu 14.04 is a common problem faced by many users. The shortcut, which was initially working, has stopped functioning after a reinstall of the operating system. This has left users wondering why the shortcut is not working as expected.

A: There are several possible reasons why Ctrl+Alt+L is not activating the screensaver in Ubuntu 14.04. Some of the possible causes include:

Incorrect configuration: The shortcut may have been changed or modified during the reinstall process, leading to the issue.
Conflicting keyboard shortcuts: Other keyboard shortcuts may be conflicting with Ctrl+Alt+L, preventing it from working as expected.
Screen saver settings: The screen saver settings may be set to lock the account instead of activating the screensaver.

A: To check if the keyboard shortcut settings are correct, follow these steps:

Open the Keyboard Settings: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type gnome-control-center, and press Enter to open the Keyboard settings.
Navigate to the Shortcuts Tab: In the Keyboard settings, navigate to the Shortcuts tab.
Check the Screensaver Shortcut: In the Shortcuts tab, look for the Screensaver shortcut and check if it is set to Ctrl+Alt+L.

A: To check for conflicting keyboard shortcuts, follow these steps:

Open the Keyboard Settings: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type gnome-control-center, and press Enter to open the Keyboard settings.
Navigate to the Shortcuts Tab: In the Keyboard settings, navigate to the Shortcuts tab.
Check for Conflicting Shortcuts: In the Shortcuts tab, look for any shortcuts that may be conflicting with Ctrl+Alt+L.

A: To reset the keyboard shortcut settings, follow these steps:

Open the Terminal: Press the Ctrl+Alt+T keys to open the Terminal.
Reset the Keyboard Shortcut Settings: In the Terminal, type the following command and press Enter:

gsettings reset org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings screensaver

Restart the System: Restart the system to apply the changes.

A: If you still encounter issues after following the troubleshooting steps, it is recommended to seek further assistance from the Ubuntu community or a professional Linux administrator. They can help you diagnose and resolve the issue.

A: Yes, you can use a different keyboard shortcut to activate the screensaver. To do this, follow these steps:

Open the Keyboard Settings: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type gnome-control-center, and press Enter to open the Keyboard settings.
Navigate to the Shortcuts Tab: In the Keyboard settings, navigate to the Shortcuts tab.
Create a New Shortcut: In the Shortcuts tab, click on the + button to create a new shortcut.
Set the New Shortcut: In the Create a new shortcut dialog box, set the new shortcut to the desired key combination (e.g., Ctrl+Shift+L).