Revert to a previous version of xorg

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 142 views

Introduction

The latest update to the LTS 18.04.6 xserver, specifically the xorg update on 2025-03-11, has brought about a significant issue for desktop users. As of yesterday's update to esm10, application windows are no longer displaying on the desktop. This has caused inconvenience and frustration for users who rely on their desktops for work and other essential tasks. In this article, we will delve into the issue, its causes, and potential solutions to help users get back to their normal workflow.

The Issue: No Application Windows on Desktop

The xorg update on 2025-03-11 has introduced a critical issue where application windows fail to display on the desktop. This means that users cannot see their open applications, making it difficult to switch between them or access their content. The issue is not limited to just the desktop, as right-clicking and focusing on windows also exhibit anomalous behavior. While the dock seems to be functional, and applications can still be launched, the lack of visible windows on the desktop hinders productivity and causes significant inconvenience.

Causes of the Issue

The xorg update on 2025-03-11 is the primary cause of the issue. The update, which is part of the esm10 package, has introduced changes to the xserver that are not compatible with the existing desktop environment. This incompatibility has resulted in the failure of application windows to display on the desktop. The exact cause of the issue is still unknown, but it is believed to be related to a change in the way the xserver handles window management.

Symptoms of the Issue

The symptoms of the issue are varied and can be quite frustrating. Some of the common symptoms include:

Application windows fail to display on the desktop
Right-clicking and focusing on windows exhibit anomalous behavior
The dock is functional, but application windows are not visible
Applications can still be launched, but their windows are not visible on the desktop

Potential Solutions

While the issue is still being investigated, there are a few potential solutions that users can try to resolve the problem. These solutions are not guaranteed to work, but they may help to alleviate the issue:

Revert to a previous version of xorg: Users can try reverting to a previous version of xorg to see if the issue is resolved. This can be done by installing an older version of xorg from the repository or by using a package manager to revert to a previous version.
Disable esm10: Disabling esm10 may help to resolve the issue. Users can try disabling esm10 and see if the issue is resolved. This can be done by removing the esm10 package or by disabling it in the system settings.
Reinstall xserver: Reinstalling xserver may help to resolve the issue. Users can try reinstalling xserver and see if the issue is resolved. This can be done by removing the xserver package and reinstalling it from the repository.

Conclusion

The xorg update on 2025-03-11 has brought about a significant issue for desktop users. The failure of application windows to display on the desktop, combined with anomalous behavior when right-clicking and focusing on windows, has caused inconvenience and frustration for users. While the issue is still being investigated, there are a few potential solutions that users can try to resolve the problem. We hope that this article has provided some insight into the issue and its potential solutions. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Recommendations

Based on the information available, we recommend the following:

Avoid updating to esm10: Until the issue is resolved, we recommend avoiding the update to esm10. This will help to prevent the issue from occurring in the first place.
Revert to a previous version of xorg: If the issue has already occurred, users can try reverting to a previous version of xorg to see if the issue is resolved.
Disable esm10: Disabling esm10 may help to resolve the issue. Users can try disabling esm10 and see if the issue is resolved.

Future Developments

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. We will also work with the developers to resolve the issue and provide a stable solution for users. In the meantime, we recommend avoiding the update to esm10 and reverting to a previous version of xorg if the issue has already occurred.

References

[1] Ubuntu LTS 18.04.6 xserver update to esm10
[2] xorg update on 2025-03-11 causes desktop issues
[3] Potential solutions to resolve the issue

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Q&A Session

Q: What is the xorg update on 2025-03-11? A: The xorg update on 2025-03-11 is a critical update to the xserver that is part of the esm10 package. It is designed to improve the stability and security of the xserver, but it has introduced a significant issue for desktop users.

Q: What is the issue with the xorg update? A: The issue with the xorg update is that application windows are no longer displaying on the desktop. This means that users cannot see their open applications, making it difficult to switch between them or access their content. The issue is not limited to just the desktop, as right-clicking and focusing on windows also exhibit anomalous behavior.

Q: What are the symptoms of the issue? A: The symptoms of the issue are varied and can be quite frustrating. Some of the common symptoms include:

Application windows fail to display on the desktop
Right-clicking and focusing on windows exhibit anomalous behavior
The dock is functional, but application windows are not visible
Applications can still be launched, but their windows are not visible on the desktop

Q: What are the potential solutions to the issue? A: While the issue is still being investigated, there are a few potential solutions that users can try to resolve the problem. These solutions are not guaranteed to work, but they may help to alleviate the issue:

Revert to a previous version of xorg: Users can try reverting to a previous version of xorg to see if the issue is resolved. This can be done by installing an older version of xorg from the repository or by using a package manager to revert to a previous version.
Disable esm10: Disabling esm10 may help to resolve the issue. Users can try disabling esm10 and see if the issue is resolved. This can be done by removing the esm10 package or by disabling it in the system settings.
Reinstall xserver: Reinstalling xserver may help to resolve the issue. Users can try reinstalling xserver and see if the issue is resolved. This can be done by removing the xserver package and reinstalling it from the repository.

Q: What should I do if I am experiencing the issue? A: If you are experiencing the issue, we recommend trying the potential solutions listed above. If none of these solutions work, you may want to consider seeking help from a professional or contacting the developers for further assistance.

Q: Will the issue be resolved? A: We are working with the developers to resolve the issue and provide a stable solution for users. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Q: How can I stay up-to-date with the latest information on the issue? A: You can stay up-to-date with the latest information on the issue by following our blog or social media channels. We will provide regular updates on the issue and any potential solutions.