GNOME 40 Overview Blanks Out With windowNavigator

• Adam Douglas

• Published Apr 12, 2021
• Revised Jan 4, 2023

• technology
• #100DaysToOffload #archlinux #GNOME #linux

I recently updated my Arch Linux system and received the new GNOME Shell v40.0.0 update. Afterwards I updated all the GNOME extensions for those that were not marked “OUTDATED”. Unfortunately shortly after doing this I noticed that I was no longer able to open applications and see them as I’m stuck in the GNOME Shell overview screen. Let me explain how to work around this problem until the issue is properly resolved.

Note

Confirmed issue has been resolved, windowNavigator v54 with GNOME v40.1.0 using X11 on Arch Linux.

Environment

• Arch Linux operating system
• GNOME Shell v40.0.0
• windowNavigator v51 by fmuellner

Problem

After you open your first application and you try to open another application the GNOME Shell overview screen blanks out all other windows and even the desktop wallpaper (see screenshot) and you can no longer leave the GNOME Shell overview screen. You are able to open applications but you are not able to see them. You can still logout, restart or power off the system.

Solution

The work around solution is to disable the GNOME extension, windowNavigator until this issue is properly resolved.

Note

GNOME Tweaks no longer support extensions.

GNOME Extensions App

1. Goto to your GNOME Shell overview screen.
2. Open the GNOME Extensions application.
3. Click on toggle button to enable extensions globally if disabled. This is located at the left of the search icon in the top right corner.
4. Locate windowNavigator and click on the toggle button until it is in the off position.

GNOME Shell Integration

This method requires you have installed the package “chrome-gnome-shell” on Arch Linux.

1. Goto to your GNOME Shell overview screen.
2. Open the web browser where you have the GNOME Shell integration installed.
3. In the web browser open GNOME Shell integration.
4. Click on “Installed extensions”.
5. Locate windowNavigator and click on the toggle button until it is in the off position.

Note

Ensure extensions are globally enabled (turned on) within GNOME Extensions App. This is located at the left of the search icon in the top right corner.

I’m publishing this as part of 100 Days To Offload. You can join in yourself by visiting 100DaysToOffload.com.

References

• Enabling windowNavigator extension makes shell become unresponsive on Gnome 40
• Glitch Defect, image by FreeCreativeStuff, Published Sep 5, 2017
• Overview blanks out in GNOME 40 when windows are open

Changelog

• Apr 12, 2021
  • add tag archlinux
  • change tag GNOMEshell to GNOME to match previous tagging
  • add solution instructions using GNOME Extensions app
  • add notes for better clarity
• Apr 16, 2021
  • add header image alt attribute
• Apr 24, 2021
  • change 'login' to 'goto'
• May 25, 2021
  • Add note windowNavigator extension bug has been resolved
• Aug 27, 2021
  • Apply admonition style for info/note
• Dec 19, 2022
  • change topic
  • remove tag bug
• Jan 4, 2023
  • change topic

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