Bug 515299 - [kscreenlocker] "Authentication attempt too soon. This shouldn't happen!"
Summary: [kscreenlocker] "Authentication attempt too soon. This shouldn't happen!"
Status: REPORTED
Alias: None
Product: plasmashell
Classification: Plasma
Component: Screen locking (other bugs)
Version First Reported In: 6.5.5
Platform: Arch Linux Linux
: NOR normal
Target Milestone: 1.0
Assignee: Plasma Bugs List
URL:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2026-01-30 09:47 UTC by Cre8or
Modified: 2026-01-30 09:51 UTC (History)
0 users

See Also:
Latest Commit:
Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:


Attachments
Journalctl output since 2026-01-29 21:56:00 containing the title error (18.86 KB, text/plain)
2026-01-30 09:47 UTC, Cre8or
Details

Note You need to log in before you can comment on or make changes to this bug.
Description Cre8or 2026-01-30 09:47:44 UTC
Created attachment 189054 [details]
Journalctl output since 2026-01-29 21:56:00 containing the title error

SUMMARY
Around two weeks ago, I first noticed an issue with the kscreenlocker that would leave me unable to log back into my user session after my screen locked due to inactivity. I am not 100% certain how to reproduce the bug, but when I manage to reproduce it, I end up in the situation where I can still type in characters into the lock screen password field, but I can't submit the password (pressing enter/clicking the submit button no longer works).

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Lock the screen (either manually or by user inactivity)
2. Type in an incorrect password and hit enter
3. Wait until the incorrect password animation is done and a new password can be entered
4. Type in the correct password and hit enter

OBSERVED RESULT
I am not logged back in. The password field remains filled, no animation plays, nothing happens - as if I hadn't pressed enter.

EXPECTED RESULT
The password should be checked and confirmed, and I should be back in my session.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Operating System: Arch Linux 
KDE Plasma Version: 6.5.5
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.22.0
Qt Version: 6.10.1
Kernel Version: 6.18.7-arch1-1 (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: Wayland
Processors: 20 × 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-12700K
Memory: 69 GB of RAM (67.1 GB usable)
Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
When this problem occurs, there is an error line in my journalctl that reads:
Jan 29 20:02:42 Cre8or-PC kscreenlocker_greet[44136]: [PAM worker kde] Authentication attempt too soon. This shouldn't happen!

I *think* this might be related to a recent change where there was an initial delay before the incorrect password animation (text field wiggles a few times) starts playing, which is no longer present. Currently the animation plays immediately, so I'm hypothesising that the reduced overall delay between password prompts causes the password field to reset too early, which causes the title error to appear in my journalctl.
Comment 1 Cre8or 2026-01-30 09:51:58 UTC
Looking at the source code on the Github mirror, I see that there was a commit around a month ago (https://github.com/KDE/kscreenlocker/commit/5c2e6e1e877c1a0ecd915d4b91773cf9c56734e6) that introduced the error handling which raises this error message. It seems to involve moving the mouse around, which may be something that I have also been doing in my experiments.

Maybe a good time to mention that I have a dual-monitor setup and sometimes enter my password on the left monitor, sometimes on the right (depending on where the text field happens to be in focus)?