Can't set keyboard layout change to alt+shift, ctrl+shift, etc.

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

confirm this problem, don't work with Alt+Shift too.

Can't set keyboard switch to Caps Lock (preferred), alt+shift, ctrl+shift etc. Working combination: ctrl+space and 'menu' (both variants uncomfortably for me).

same bug

Does not work with Alt+Shift either. This or very similar bug was reported at GNOME bug tracker.
https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=681685

Artem Vorotnikov (skybon), it happened right after new indicator-keyboard arrived.

I confirm this bug (Regular Ubuntu 13.10).

Confirm for Saucy Beta Final amd64.

If you set the shortcut via gnome-tweak-tool, layout changing will work (though indicator-keyboard still won't work).

Confirmed, doesent work me eather Shift+Tab (Ubuntu 13.10 64bit)

Setting the shortcut via gnome-tweak-tool has no effect for me.

I confirm this bug, too. Affects most ubuntu users from CIS countries who are used to Alt+Shift|Ctrl+Shift layout switching. Any workaround?

At first for me worked this advise: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/indicator-keyboard/+bug/1215826/comments/14#ubuntu

But later it stopped working, and now I am only able to switch layout via modified+symbol key (I use ctrl-space now, but it's not comfortable, as it interferes with app's shortcuts) :(

Also had problem with alt-shift combinations set via region and language settings. Solved it by: gnome-tweak-tool -> typing -> key(s) to change layout -> disable

Confirm this bug - the only available combination is Super+Space which cannot be changed. The workaround via gnome-tweak-tool does not work at all.

Confirm, still no work, my favorite combination is Ctrl+Shift don't work on a Unity 7 (ubuntu-desktop).

Actually this is maybe an issue in gnome-settings-daemon, which doesn't update org.gnome.desktop.input-sources/current key when shortcuts are pressed.

Have just checked left ctrl + left shift and it works again. My problem with layout switching was directly related with "key(s) to change layout -> disable". Maybe you should try logout & relogin.

My system: fresh install of ubuntu gnome 13.04 -> upgrade via "update-manager -d" to 13.10 beta.

How i've troubleshoot my problem. After upgrade from 13.04 to 13.10 i've noticed that if i press super + space layoyt indicator changes so does input. En-Ru-En.

If i press alt-shift only indicator changes. but If i try to enter text it's still english. after "key(s) to change layout -> disable" alt-shift doen't make sense only super-space works. then i changed super-space to alt-shift in regional and language settings and it works like expected.

most of koreans favorite key combination to change korean-english is shift+space

this combination is no longer avaliable...

I feel like another my problem is related somehow with this bug. Please see https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libreoffice/+bug/1235586 and leave your comments there if you can reproduce described situation.

You can try gnome-tweak-tool.
I can change the keyboard layout from English to Greek with [Alt+Shift] but the icon indicator (up right) remains as is [En].

I confirm the bug with the current Saucy.
Using gnome-tweak-tool makes the keyboard switched using XKB, which isn't quite good. Currently Ubuntu relies on iBus, if i'm not mistaken? Therefore the gnome-tweak-tool workaround is not OK, as the indicator doesn't notice any layout changes then.

Which is more, after the yesterday's update I cannot change the layout even with Super+Space any more! No reasonable working hotkey left! So far I'm sticking to Shift+Alt and ignore the indicator.

By the way, why using the indicator which doesn't work?
1) Layout switching in the command-line interface is done ONLY with XKB! We should somehow keep the layout changing hotkeys in XKB similar to the ones used in GUI, shouldn't we?
2) For now, XKB works fine, while the indicator fails. Maybe the indicator should rely on XKB, or at least track the layout change in XKB?

peerus, that's quite different bug. Although it's annoying as well, it's reason lurks somewhere else. The patches from that thread seem to do nothing with this bug.

In 13.04 there is ability to change layout while button is pressed. I'm using Caps key. And in 13.10 i can't find any place to make these changes.

In 13.04 there is ability to change layout while button is pressed. I'm using Ctrl+Shift key. And in 13.10 i can't find any place to make these changes.

"Text Entry" config recognizes my "Super" (Windows) key as "Mod4+Super+Hyper". Any idea how can I fix it?

Hey, guys, can someone run dconf-editor find org -> gnome -> desktop -> input-sources and change xkb-options to ['grp:alt_shift_toggle,grp_led:scroll'] and then switch layout by Alt-Shift? Just to test.

This helped me.

Yup, fixing config in dconf-editor helped for me.
But En/Ru indicator didn't change.

2013/10/11 VoaNerges <email address hidden>

> Hey, guys, can someone run dconf-editor find org -> gnome -> desktop ->
> input-sources and change xkb-options to
> ['grp:alt_shift_toggle,grp_led:scroll'] and then switch layout by Alt-
> Shift? Just to test.
>
> This helped me.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1218322
>
> Title:
> Can't set keyboard layout change to ctrl+shift
>
> Status in “gnome-settings-daemon” package in Ubuntu:
> Triaged
> Status in “indicator-keyboard” package in Ubuntu:
> Triaged
>
> Bug description:
> Can't set keyboard layout change to ctrl+shift, Caps Lock, alt+shift
> etc. "Shift", "CapsLock" keys are just ignored in settings. Also the
> default shortcut was set to "Super+Space" that is inconveniently,
> because Dash is opening when you swich your keyboard layout.
>
> ProblemType: Bug
> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.10
> Package: indicator-keyboard 0.0.0+13.10.20130829.1-0ubuntu1
> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.11.0-2.5-generic 3.11.0-rc5
> Uname: Linux 3.11.0-2-generic x86_64
> NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
> ApportVersion: 2.12.1-0ubuntu2
> Architecture: amd64
> Date: Thu Aug 29 14:21:54 2013
> InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-07-31 (28 days ago)
> InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" - Alpha amd64
> (20130730)
> MarkForUpload: True
> ProcEnviron:
> LANGUAGE=ru_UA:ru
> PATH=(custom, no user)
> XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
> LANG=ru_UA.UTF-8
> SHELL=/bin/bash
> SourcePackage: indicator-keyboard
> UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
>
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-settings-daemon/+bug/1218322/+subscriptions
>

I confirm this bug on Ubuntu 13.10, unable to change layout with Ctrl+Shift or Alt+Shift (set in Gnome Control Center -> Keyboard -> Layouts).

VoaNerges (gotham48), yes, setting toggle key via dconf-editor worked for me, but language icon is not changing upon switch

I've upgraded from previous versions where I had Alt+Shift as the shortcut toggling between English and Hungarian. Now, not being to specify this, I chose Ctrl+Space. The current behavior is:
- If I select English in the indicator or via Ctrl+Space then the layout is English, and Alt+Shift does nothing.
- If I select Hungarian in the indicator or via Ctrl+Space then the layout is initially Hungarian but Alt+Shift toggles between En and Hu, but without updating the indicator.
Total chaos.

In Text Entry Settings, if I press the Windows key plus Space, I get "Mod4+Super+Hyper+Space" displayed -- what the heck??? Mod4 and Hyper, what the hell are those, and why aren't they shown on the Keyboard Layout Chart, and why does the dialog claim I pressed them? And how do I revert to the previous value which was simply Super+Space?

Moreover, Ctrl+Space (my currently specified shortcut) only works if I press Ctrl, press Space, release Space and finally release Ctrl in this order. If I release the two keys in reverse order (which is way more natural for me as my hand quickly rolls over the two keys, rather than stopping and moving backwards) then it doesn't work. Yet again a total usability failure.

This whole thing is a complete disaster :(

I confirm the bug. Currently trying to make a fresh install of 13.10 latest beta or daily, but both are buggy. "Alt-shift" is gone and even "Super+space" does not work. Instead I get "Mod4+Super+Hyper+space" crazy combination. Extremely annoying and makes the distro unusable for me.

I confirm this bug on Ubuntu 13.10 х64

Still can't set keyboard layout change to ctrl+shift, Caps Lock, alt+shift etc.

I'm very sad :(

Confirmed under Ubuntu Saucy (of today, through the daily iso images).

Tracked by elementary OS @ bug #1357895

I can't type Esperanto. The option button that allows me turn on Esperanto Circumflexes is gone! Does Gnome project hates people that speaks Esperanto?

Guys I'm sorry, but it seems that bug is returned in the newest Ubuntu 15.04 final.
I set Russian and English layouts while installing.

Now I can't use Alt+Shift in GNOME FlashBack session.

Gnome-control-center shows this shortcut as "Shift+Alt+Next Group", but language is switched because of /etc/default/keyboard
(
cat /etc/default/keyboard
# KEYBOARD CONFIGURATION FILE

# Consult the keyboard(5) manual page.

XKBMODEL="pc105"
XKBLAYOUT="us,ru"
XKBVARIANT=","
XKBOPTIONS="grp:alt_shift_toggle,grp_led:scroll"

BACKSPACE="guess"
)
but indicator-keyboard does not react on language change.
It is unbelievable.

The exact same crap, before update everything was ok!

I have this bug too in Ubuntu Gnome 15.04.

The same at Lubuntu 15.04 vivid , all updates 05.27.2015

Still have same problem Ubuntu 14.04, Update 01.06.2015

Not working for me on Ubuntu 15.04. This breaks Gnome for me.
gnome-tweak-tool allows me to set alt+shift as a shortcut for layout switching, but it doesn't actually work.

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

This bug affects my system (Ubuntu 16.04.1 amd64, Gnome Flashback session with Compiz). One-key keyboard layout switchers (I tested Right Alt, Right Super, Right Control) don't work, while two-key switchers work (checked several of them). If I run Unity session, these one-key switchers work properly. Is it a bug of g-s-d, or I should open the bug in gnome-flashback section?

Got this bug on Ubuntu 16.04 (updated from 12.04). Unable to use Alt+Shift on GNOME Metacity session.
gnome-control-center says that I use "Alt+Shift L" or "Alt+Next Group", but it does not work.

Do you plan to fix this bug?

I reported new bug #1687466 about GNOME FlashBack sessions.

I reported new bug 1687588 about text blinking on selection with <Ctrl+Shift+arrow> while layout switcher is set to <Ctrl+Shift>.

I think this is related to my bug 1705522 where "Gnome Tweak Tool/Typing/Miscellaneous compatibility options/Apple Aluminium Keyboard: emulate PC (Print, Scroll Lock Pause, Num Lock)" doesn't work.

Ubuntu 17.04

17.10 is affected by this bug. Only gnome-tweak-tool is the solution.

Again? Ubuntu 17.10 is affected this time.

On 2017-11-03 07:21, asdqweasd wrote:
> Again? Ubuntu 17.10 is affected this time.

Try gnome-tweak-tool, as Norbert wrote, "Additional Layout Options".

> Try gnome-tweak-tool, as Norbert wrote, "Additional Layout Options".

In Wayland (libinput) keyboard key combinations work on key press (not on key release).
So if I set Ctrl+Shift combination for switching layout (changing keyboard language) in "Additional Layout Options", after that I can't use any other Ctrl+Shift+AnyKey combinations. For example a I can't reopen closed tabs in Web-browser (Chrome/Firefox) using Ctrl+Shift+T key combination.

How to change this wayland/libinput behavior?
I want use Ctrl+Shift for swithing keyboard layout and at the same time use Ctrl+Shift+T to re-open closed tabs in web-browser.

Dear Mikhail and all!

I have a discussion on Maillist (https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel-discuss/2017-May/017419.html) about keyboard layout switching. It has no positive results.

I have reported <Ctrl+Shift> interference about as bug 1245473.
For myself I "fixed" this bug by switching to MATE DE on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.
I hope to be there until 2021 year.
It is bad, that modern MATE versions have this interference problem (see bug 1720364).

I tried to start a discussion on Maillist ( https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel-discuss/2017-October/017752.html ) about using MATE DE as default desktop on Ubuntu, but they want to stick with GNOME.

Switching to Wayland adds other interference - <Alt+Shift> as layout switcher opens Firefox menu (see bug 1712200).

It's time to test MATE DE on old-good and stable Xorg.

4 years and 8 distributions later this bug is affected Ubuntu 17.10 too.

Confirm for Ubuntu 17.10

Confirm for Ubuntu 17.10, and 18.04 beta

Anyone can join the discussion on https://community.ubuntu.com/t/keyboard-layout-switching-problems-and-poll/2876

Hi, I found a way to make the Alt + Shift keyboard switching working in Gnome 3 (tested with 3.28.2).
First examine this current setting:

dconf read /org/gnome/desktop/input-sources/xkb-options

(in my case it was empty)
Then set the appropriate options, e.g.:

dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/input-sources/xkb-options "['grp:alt_shift_toggle']"

Now I can switch the keyboard layouts with Alt + Shift. (Earlier I might deleted all the Alt + Shift + * keyboard shortcuts, I am not sure...
It is permanent, should work after logout + login and reboot.

To add the keyboard layouts, press Super key (default) and type/search for "Region & Language" and add them under "Input Sources".

Hope it will help many people! :)

(I was inspired by https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/333368/gnome-3-22-disable-altshift-keyboard-layout-switching but it did the opposite thing.)

18.10, bug is still here! It's a very basic experience - Ubuntu with Gnome3 can't make even such simple basic things work! What can we say about other things, if user can't change keyboard layout in a proper way?

WORKAROUND on how to use keyboard Ctrl+Shift+/Alf+Shift+ shortcuts with Ctrl+Shift as layout switch.

Order of keys pressed for layout switching is important. So ['<Control>Shift_L'] implies Control pressed first and Shift pressed second. Inverse order won't work. You have to use ['<Shift>Control_L'] for inverse order.

On the other hand application shortcuts are order-independent, so you can use Ctrl+Shift+T or Shift+Ctrl+T in order to open new tab in Gnome Terminal. Once you're using Ctrl+Shift for layout switching it's still possible to use Shift+Ctrl+<whatever> for application shortcuts.

P.S.: Don't set switching keyboard layout with 'Ctrl+Shift' using XKB options. In this case you'll get order-independent layout switching, but all ways to invoke Ctrl+Shift+ shortcts will be broken.

P.P.S.: Take a note values of switch to next/previous input source are actually arrays(lists).
It's possible to set multiple key combinations i.e. I use: ['<Control>Shift_L', '<Shift>Shift_L'] and ['<Control>Shift_R', '<Shift>Shift_R'] respectively.

Confirm that this issue still exists, used Gnome Teaks tool to workaround this issue.

Gnome-tweaks no longer possible to install (Ubuntu 19.10).

What a mess... I can't believe this is not fixed...

Issue still exists: Ubuntu 20.04. - Gnome 3.36.1

And that is why KDE

On Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 12:31 Kim Ismenos <email address hidden> wrote:

> Issue still exists: Ubuntu 20.04. - Gnome 3.36.1
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1218322
>
> Title:
> Can't set keyboard layout change to alt+shift, ctrl+shift, etc.
>
> Status in GNOME Settings Daemon:
> Unknown
> Status in Ubuntu Flashback:
> New
> Status in Ubuntu GNOME:
> Fix Released
> Status in Ubuntu GNOME Flashback:
> New
> Status in gnome-control-center package in Ubuntu:
> Fix Released
> Status in gnome-settings-daemon package in Ubuntu:
> Triaged
> Status in gnome-control-center package in ALT Linux:
> Unknown
> Status in gnome-control-center package in Baltix:
> Confirmed
> Status in gnome-control-center package in Gentoo Linux:
> Unknown
> Status in gnome-control-center package in Mandriva:
> Unknown
>
> Bug description:
> [Impact]
>
> Can't set keyboard layout change to Ctrl+Shift, Caps Lock, Alt+Shift,
> etc. Shift, Caps Lock keys are just ignored in settings.
>
> [Test Case]
>
> - open gnome-control-center's text input settings
> - click on the "next layout key" entry
> - try entering a combination of two modifier keys such as Ctrl+Shift
> -> the UI should reflect the new keys
>
> - add at least two input sources through gnome-control-center's text
> entry
> settings
> - press and release Ctrl+Shift
> -> the current input source should change
>
> [Regression Potential]
>
> That UI was not working before, it should only be an improvement (some
> key combos are not working as expected, that's another issue and
> shouldn't be mixed with this one)
>
> The input switching shortcut might capture other non-modifier
> shortcuts, but users will need to consider this when choosing their
> switching shortcut anyways. For users this bug affects, this
> represents a working solution for a critical bug.
>
> --
>
> Test results for different keyboard layout change hotkeys may be
> viewed and added in the Google Docs table, created by Norbert
> (
> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ao5e713Ig9g_dEJrX2NRYlpLWWVzSWxsVXU4ck9HYVE&usp=sharing
> ).
>
> You can use the tag keyboard-layout-switching-hotkeys to find related
> bugs.
>
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bugs?field.tag=keyboard-layout-switching-hotkeys
>
> For using layout switching hotkeys in Unity Greeter, see bug 1245137.
> For using layout switching hotkeys in GNOME lockscreen, see bug 1244548.
> For using layout switching hotkeys in GNOME FlashBack sessions, see bug
> 1687466 (at least <Alt+Shift>).
>
> --
>
> ProblemType: Bug
> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.10
> Package: indicator-keyboard 0.0.0+13.10.20130829.1-0ubuntu1
> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.11.0-2.5-generic 3.11.0-rc5
> Uname: Linux 3.11.0-2-generic x86_64
> NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
> ApportVersion: 2.12.1-0ubuntu2
> Architecture: amd64
> Date: Thu Aug 29 14:21:54 2013
> InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-07-31 (28 days ago)
> InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" - Alpha amd64
> (20130730)
> MarkFor...

Kim,

First try this:

Install gnome-tweak-tool (should pull in gnome-tweaks)

Than in the gui:

Tweak tool >> Typing >> Modifiers of input sources switch >> Alt shift.

First time, I was able to bypass this bug by installing Unity desktop (planned on it anyway), and configuring the shortcut there. The settings are transferred to gnome shell settings.

how-to install unity has been detailed here:
https://linuxconfig.org/ubuntu-20-04-unity-desktop

In case you want to keep it:
https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/testing-unity-session-in-focal-fossa-20-04/13692

And how to remove it:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/remove-unity-desktop-ubuntu/

But my guess is that in gnome shell it was disabled intentionally as it breaks other shortcuts:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/1075604/disabling-altshift-to-switch-keyboard-layouts-in-ubuntu-18-04
https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/333368/gnome-3-22-disable-altshift-keyboard-layout-switching

There are also some suggestions for command line config, but I did not try this:
https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/316998/how-to-change-keyboard-layout-in-gnome-3-from-command-line

Issue appears on 20.04, fresh install

What the fuck? Can't resolve problem from 2013? Have a fresh install ubuntu 22.04 and cant setup ctrl-alt-etc keyboard layout switch? Need to use tweaks, google, etc.... Ubuntu user friendly?

Fresh 22.04, at first gnome tweaks helped, but then I changed
Settings / Keyboard / Switch input source individually for each window
And now even gnome tweaks doesn't work anymore.
Changing back to "Use the same source for all windows" also doesn't help.