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Asked: 2024-09-26T19:24:39+05:30 In:

My desktop icons are missing across all virtual desktops in Ubuntu. Has anyone else experienced this issue, and what steps can I take to resolve it?

So, I’ve been having this really frustrating issue with my Ubuntu setup, and I’m hoping someone out there has faced the same problem and can help me figure it out. Lately, my desktop icons have completely vanished from all my virtual desktops. Like, they’re just gone! This isn’t just happening on one workspace—it’s across the board, and it’s making me feel like I’m going a bit crazy.

I first noticed it after a routine update I did a couple of days ago. Everything else seems to be running smoothly, but I want to see my files and shortcuts again without having to dive into the file manager all the time. I mean, who doesn’t love having a neat little grid of icons to click on? It’s just way more convenient!

I tried a couple of things already to troubleshoot this. I restarted the session a couple of times and even rebooted my machine, but no luck. I also checked the desktop settings to see if I accidentally hid the icons or turned them off somehow, but everything seems fine there. For context, I’m using GNOME as my desktop environment, and yes, I did look in the GNOME Tweak Tool to see if there’s an option I might have missed.

I wouldn’t say I’m a total noob with Ubuntu, but I’m definitely not a pro either. I could really use some guidance on what steps I should take next. Has anyone else experienced this icon disappearance? What did you do to fix it? Are there any terminal commands or settings tweaks that might help?

I really miss having my desktop setup like I used to, and I’d appreciate any tips or advice you could throw my way. Thanks in advance—looking forward to your suggestions!

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    2 Answers


    1. The issue you’re facing with your desktop icons disappearing across all virtual desktops in Ubuntu GNOME could be related to a couple of potential factors, especially after a recent system update. First, ensure that your GNOME desktop environment is configured to show icons. You can check this through the GNOME Tweak Tool or by running the following command in the terminal:
      gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.background show-desktop-icons. If it returns false, you can turn it back on with
      gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background show-desktop-icons true. If you’re using a different file manager like Nautilus, you may also want to ensure that it’s set to display desktop icons.

      If the settings appear correct, you might have to reset your GNOME settings to default. This can be done with the command
      dconf reset -f /org/gnome/, but be cautious as this will reset other customizations you may have applied. Another potential solution is to check the extensions you have enabled; sometimes, extensions can conflict with desktop functionalities. You can disable them temporarily via the GNOME Extensions website or from the GNOME Tweak Tool. If all else fails, consider reinstalling the GNOME desktop environment with
      sudo apt install --reinstall ubuntu-desktop, after backing up your data. This might resolve any underlying issues that occurred during the update.


    2. Sounds like you’re dealing with a pretty annoying issue! Sometimes desktop icons go missing after updates, especially with GNOME. Here are a few things you can try:

      1. Check if the Desktop Shell Extension is enabled

      Sometimes the desktop icons can disappear if the extension that manages them is disabled. You can check this by going to the GNOME Extensions website or using the GNOME Tweak Tool. Look for an extension called Desktop Icons and make sure it’s enabled.

      2. Restart the GNOME Shell

      Press Alt + F2, type r, and hit enter. This restarts the GNOME Shell and can sometimes bring those icons back.

      3. Check for any available updates

      You mentioned that everything seemed fine after your last update, but maybe there’s a new one that fixes this glitch. Try running:

      sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

      4. Reset GNOME settings

      This is a more drastic option, but it can help if things are really messed up. You can reset GNOME settings with this command:

      dconf reset -f /org/gnome/

      Just be aware that this will reset all your GNOME settings to default.

      5. Reinstall the desktop icons extension

      If none of the above works, you might want to try reinstalling the desktop icons extension. You can usually find it in the extension manager or through the terminal.

      6. Create a new user account

      If all else fails, try creating a new user account. This can help determine if the issue is specific to your user profile or something system-wide. Create a new account, log into it, and see if the icons are visible there.

      Hopefully, one of these tips gets your desktop icons back! It can be a simple fix or a bit trickier, but hang in there—you’re not alone in this!

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