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Asked: 2024-09-27T12:18:30+05:30 In: ,

How can I resolve an issue where my Ubuntu system incorrectly identifies the Windows key as the right Super key?

I’ve been having this really annoying issue with my Ubuntu setup lately, and I could use some help from those of you who are more tech-savvy. So, here’s the deal: I love customizing my keyboard shortcuts to speed up my workflow, but it seems like my system has developed a mind of its own when it comes to recognizing the Super key.

For some bizarre reason, it’s identifying my Windows key as the right Super key rather than the left one. I have no clue why this is happening. I’ve checked a bunch of settings, but everything looks normal as far as I can tell. The problem is, I primarily use the left Super key for pretty much everything – launching apps, accessing the dock, you name it. It’s become second nature for me, and now I find myself hitting the wrong key and just getting frustrated instead of being productive.

I did some digging online, and some posts suggested tweaking the keyboard layouts or even delving into some configuration files. But I have to admit, I’m a bit hesitant to dive too deep into that rabbit hole without a little guidance. I tried resetting to the default settings, thinking that might help, but it didn’t make a difference. Has anyone else experienced this?

If you have, how did you fix it? I really don’t want to mess around with anything that could end up breaking my system or making it even more complicated. I saw some mentions of using tools like “xmodmap” or “setxkbmap,” but honestly, I’m not sure where to start with those. Would that even help in this situation?

I’d be super grateful for any insights or step-by-step suggestions you all might have. I’m really looking to get back to a smooth workflow without constantly having to look down at my keyboard to double-check which key is which. Thanks in advance for your help!

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    2 Answers






    1. Keyboard Shortcuts Issue – Help Needed!


      Sounds like a frustrating issue with the Super key! It’s weird when things don’t act the way you expect, especially when you rely on certain shortcuts.

      Here are some steps you could try to fix the left and right Super key confusion:

      1. Check Keyboard Layout: First, make sure your keyboard layout is correct. Go to Settings > Region & Language and ensure that the layout matches your physical keyboard. Sometimes, a wrong layout can mess up key mappings.
      2. Using xev: Try using the xev command to see what your keys are registering. Open a terminal and type xev. A small window will pop up. Press your keys and see what it reports for the Super keys. This can help you confirm which key is being recognized as which.
      3. Using xmodmap: If you see that the left and right Super keys are swapped, you can use xmodmap to fix it. You’d first want to create a .Xmodmap file in your home directory:

        echo "remove mod4 = Super_L" >> ~/.Xmodmap
echo "remove mod4 = Super_R" >> ~/.Xmodmap
echo "add mod4 = Super_R Super_L" >> ~/.Xmodmap

        After creating that file, run xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap to apply the changes.

      4. Using setxkbmap: If xmodmap seems confusing, setxkbmap might help as well. You can remap keys in this way:

        setxkbmap -option "super:swap_lalt_lctl"

        This command swaps your left Alt and Ctrl, but you can customize it according to your needs.

      5. Reset Keyboard Settings: If those don’t work, try resetting the keyboard settings again but this time through the command line. You can run:

        gsettings reset-recursively org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys

        This resets the media key settings and sometimes can help with other key recognition issues as well.

      After making these changes, check to see if the left Super key is recognized correctly this time. Remember to log out and back in or restart your computer to apply the changes fully.

      If you’re still having issues, don’t hesitate to ask for more help! You’ve got this!



    2. This issue with the Super key behavior on your Ubuntu setup may be due to how the system maps key codes, which can sometimes get confused, particularly with multi-key configurations. One potential solution is to use the command line tool xmodmap to create a custom key mapping for your keyboard. First, you can check the current key codes by running xmodmap -pke in the terminal. This will show you the key codes associated with each key. Identify the code for both the left and right Super keys and take note of their respective values. Once you have this information, you can create a file (e.g., ~/.Xmodmap) where you define the desired mappings, ensuring that the left Super key is correctly remapped. After saving the file, you can apply the new settings by running xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap.

      If using xmodmap feels a bit daunting, you might also consider the setxkbmap utility, which is another way to change keyboard layouts and options. You can configure your keyboard settings with a command like setxkbmap -option super:ralt_modifier, which can help you switch the behavior of your Super keys. Additionally, you can explore the GUI tool gnome-tweaks, which provides an easy interface for adjusting keyboard shortcuts without diving too deep into configuration files. Make sure to check the ‘Keyboard & Mouse’ section within gnome-tweaks to adjust your settings. If issues persist, look into your hardware or keyboard settings in the BIOS, as sometimes these can impact key behavior on OS level.


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