Bug 2216303

Description of problem:


Generally, the "LEFT" CTLR+ALT+(LEFT|RIGHT) Arrow keys are shortcuts for switching between workspaces in GNOME. It seems, an unexpected side-effect of this behavior, is that the (UP|DOWN) Arrow keys do not register at all; though, when pressing the "RIGHT" CTLR+ALT+(LEFT|RIGHT|UP|DOWN) Arrow keys DO register.


Note: This key behavior in RHEL 8 work as expected, but it has changed in RHEL9.

Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable):  RHEL 9 


How reproducible:  Very


Steps to Reproduce: Perform test steps in RHEL 8 and RHEL 9 to obtain contrasting behavior

1. Open terminal, run the following command: 

$ dconf watch /


2. Open gedit and type in several lines of text, move cursor to the middle of it.

3. Hold down [ Left Crtl + Left Alt ] and press [ UP or Down or LEFT or RIGHT arrow keys ] 

Then Hold down [ Right  Crtl + Right Alt ] and press [ UP or Down or LEFT or RIGHT arrow keys ] 

4. RHEL 9 Only:   Open the Gnome setting menu and select keyboard.

   The terminal with dconf watch will now say: 
   
/org/gnome/desktop/input-sources/per-window
  false

/org/gnome/desktop/input-sources/xkb-options
  ['lv3:ralt_switch']


5. RHEL 9 Only:  Switch to Open Gedit window and put cursor in the middle of the text.

Then hold down [ Left Crtl + Left Alt ] and press [ UP or Down or LEFT or RIGHT arrow keys ] 

Then Hold down [ Right  Crtl + Right Alt ] and press [ UP or Down or LEFT or RIGHT arrow keys ] 

Note the behavior difference in workspace switching.



Actual results:

RHEL 8:   The workspace switcher works not matter if RIGHT set or LEFT set of [ Ctrl + Alt + Arrows ] is used

RHEL 9:   Before touching the "Compose key" setting it behaves as RHEL8, however after just going into keyboard settings it behaves differently, it will scroll around the gedit text 




Expected results:

Should behave like RHEL 8, or give option to set to RHEL 8 type behavior without forcing a default behavior upon opening keyboard settings.

Or we should document this setting change in keyboard behavior if this is expected behavior or explore a way to unset within the settings.



Additional info:

This seems to be a side effect the new defaults enforced by the keyboard settings in Gnome in RHEL 9.


This can be undone in RHEL 9 by running the following command: 

$ dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/input-sources/xkb-options 


However re-loading the keyboard settings in gnome setting will re-establish this setting by default: 

/org/gnome/desktop/input-sources/xkb-options
  ['lv3:ralt_switch']