SUMMARY *** NOTE: If you are reporting a crash, please try to attach a backtrace with debug symbols. See https://community.kde.org/Guidelines_and_HOWTOs/Debugging/How_to_create_useful_crash_reports *** STEPS TO REPRODUCE 1. Use the compose key to type special characters OBSERVED RESULT In some applications, the compose key works as expected. In other applications, the compose key does not do anything: if I press the compose key, the next couple keystrokes will be "eaten" (no letters typed, special characters or otherwise), and then typing resumes normally. Tested applications where it works: KWrite, Dolphin, Discover, and any OS level UI (search bars etc.) Tested applications where it does not work: Firefox, Thunderbird, VSCode, Signal EXPECTED RESULT Compose key should work in all applications where text can be entered SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS Windows: macOS: Linux/KDE Plasma: (available in About System) KDE Plasma Version: 5.25.3 KDE Frameworks Version: 5.96.0 Qt Version: 5.15.5 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Works for me in Firefox and Thunderbird. This is going to end up being caused by a configuration error on your system rather than any fault in KDE code, so I would encourage you to ask for help on a forum, chatroom, the r/kde subreddit, etc.
(In reply to Nate Graham from comment #1) > Works for me in Firefox and Thunderbird. This is going to end up being > caused by a configuration error on your system rather than any fault in KDE > code, so I would encourage you to ask for help on a forum, chatroom, the > r/kde subreddit, etc. Thanks Nate. I did ask on Reddit and they suggested I file a bug report here :D I'm running a fresh install of KDE Neon. I'm not a Linux superuser by any means and haven't gone deep into the config at all. Just setting the "compose key" in the basic Settings menu. Where else could I look? And how is it possible that it works in certain apps and not others...? I don't really know enough about the system architecture to understand how applications interact with the OS; is it possible that some apps don't have access to OS level keyboard shortcuts? Based on how they were installed or something?
How exactly did yo enable the compose key? Which setting did you use?
System Settings > Input Devices > Keyboard > Advanced tab > Position of Compose key
And what physical key did you bind it to?
I like using caps lock but I tried a variety of keys and observed the same behaviour.
What *exact* XKB settings are you using in there?
I have "Position of Compose key" set to caps lock, and no other boxes checked.
That exact setting works for me in all apps. If it's not working for you, it's an issue deeper in the input stack, and I would encourage you to reach out to your distro about it.
OK, thanks for your help Nate! When you say distro, you mean the Linux distro that I'm using? I'm using KDE Neon, I thought this was the right place to make this report!
Oh so it is! Moving to Neon for further investigation.
Same issue for me. I'm also using Neon, my compose key is set to Right Ctl and Right Menu from the KDE settings but it does not work (in Konsole, Kate, Firefox ...).
I found more information about my problem and a workaround. This happens when a virtual keyboard is activated. When I disable all virtual keyboards, everything works fine. I am not sure that it is exactly the same bug as this one. My bug seems to be: compose key does not work anywhere when a virtual keyboard is activated.