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Asked: 2024-09-25T22:10:10+05:30 In:

What are the steps to terminate the X server in Ubuntu?

So, I’ve been working on this project on my Ubuntu machine, and I ran into a bit of a hiccup. I need to terminate the X server, but I’m kind of stuck figuring out the right steps to do it without messing anything up. I know it’s important for specific tasks, like when I want to install some drivers or maybe switch to a different display manager, but the last time I tried, I felt like I was navigating a minefield!

I know there’s a way to do it via the command line, but I’m not super confident in my command line skills yet, and I’ve read that if you do it wrong, it could totally mess up my session or crash my system. That’s kind of scary! I’ve heard that using a combination of Ctrl, Alt, and F1 (or F2, or whichever) can help switch to a terminal, but after that, I’m not sure what the exact commands are, or even if that’s the right direction.

I guess I’m just looking for some step-by-step guidance from anyone who’s done this before. Like, should I be doing this while logged into a specific user account, or does it matter if I’m in a GUI or a terminal? Also, is it safe to do during important work, or is it better to save everything and close down apps first?

If anyone can break it down in a simple way—no jargon, please!—I’d really appreciate it. I just want to make sure I’m not overlooking anything crucial here. I’d love to hear any personal tips or experiences where things went smoothly or maybe even where they went hilariously wrong when trying to kill the X server. Thanks in advance!

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    2 Answers



    1. How to Terminate the X Server on Ubuntu

      Terminating the X Server on Ubuntu: A Rookie’s Guide

      So, you’re looking to terminate the X server without causing chaos? I get it—it can feel pretty intimidating, especially if you’re still getting comfy with the command line! Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you navigate through it safely.

      Step 1: Save Your Work

      Before you dive in, make sure to save anything important. Close any apps that you don’t want to lose, just in case. You don’t want to end up losing your unsaved progress!

      Step 2: Switch to a Terminal

      Press Ctrl + Alt + F1 (or F2, F3, etc. up to F6) to switch to a terminal. This will take you to a non-graphical interface where you can type commands safely.

      Step 3: Log In

      You’ll be prompted to log in. Go ahead and enter your username and password. This should be the same account that you use in the GUI.

      Step 4: Terminating the X Server

      Now you’re ready! To stop the X server, you can use one of these commands:

      • If you’re using systemd (most modern distributions):
        • sudo systemctl stop display-manager
      • If you’re using an older system:
        • sudo service lightdm stop
        sudo service gdm stop
        sudo service sddm stop

      Choose the command based on your display manager (like lightdm, gdm, or sddm). If you’re guessing, systemctl works for most cases.

      Step 5: Restarting the X Server

      If you want to get back to your GUI, just type:

      sudo systemctl start display-manager

      And voila! You’re back in business!

      Pro Tips

      Here are a few personal tips from my own experiences:

      • And it’s definitely better to do this when you’re not in the middle of an important task. Take your time!
      • If something goes wrong and your GUI doesn’t come back up, don’t panic! Just reboot your system with 
        sudo reboot

        .

      • Write down any commands you use so you can double-check that you did it right next time!

      It can be a bit of a minefield, but just take a deep breath and follow these steps. You got this!


    2. To terminate the X server on your Ubuntu machine safely, start by saving all your work and closing any applications. It’s crucial to have everything backed up since stopping the X server will close your graphical session and could lead to data loss if you have unsaved work. Once you’re ready, you can switch to a terminal using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + F1 (or F2, F3, etc. depending on your configuration). This will take you to a text-based login screen. Log in with your username and password when prompted.

      After logging in, you can stop the X server by executing the following command:

      sudo systemctl stop gdm

      Replace gdm with your display manager if you’re using a different one (like lightdm or sddm). If you’re unsure, you can check which display manager your system is using by running cat /etc/X11/default-display-manager. After running the command, the X server should stop, and you can safely install your drivers or switch display managers. When you’re ready to return to the graphical interface, simply type sudo systemctl start gdm to restart it. Always ensure you’re logged in as a user with the necessary permissions and remember that executing these commands will interrupt your current session.

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