[Regression] Keyboard layout switching latency (Alt+Shift) and failure to switch within Mint Menu search

[tethragon]

Distribution

Mint 22.3

Package version

6.6.5

Graphics hardware in use

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Lucienne

Frequency

Always

Bug description

After updating to Linux Mint 22.3 (Cinnamon 6.6.5), two major issues have emerged regarding keyboard layout switching:

1.Input Latency: There is a noticeable delay (several milliseconds) when using the Alt+Shift shortcut. The switch is no longer instantaneous, which disrupts fast typing. It seems the system waits for a key release or a potential sequence instead of triggering on key press.

2.Mint Menu Focus Issue: While the Mint Menu is open and the search bar is focused, the Alt+Shift shortcut fails to work entirely. The user must switch the language before opening the menu to search in a different language.

Steps to reproduce

1.Use the default keyboard layout switching method in Mint 22.3.

2.Press Alt+Shift quickly while typing: Observe the lag.

3.Open the Mint Menu and try to change the language while the search bar is active: The layout remains unchanged.

Expected behavior

1.Keyboard layout switching should be instantaneous (as it was in previous versions or when using XKB options).

2.Layout switching shortcuts should be globally intercepted, even when the Mint Menu or its search bar is focused.

Additional information

The latency issue can be bypassed by using the "XKB Options" tab in Keyboard settings, but this hides a core functionality behind a "legacy" menu and doesn't solve the Mint Menu focus bug.

[sv1grb]

Just to help either solving the problem or working until fixed, I found this workaround.

If you first assign a keyboard shortcut for alt+shift for switch to next layout in "layouts" or "shortcuts" tab and then also add the alt+shift method for switching to new layout in "XKB" tab, then the switching is working fine system wide.
Quick switch and also switch in the search bar.

Note that if you already have the alt-shift enabled in "XKB", you cannot add the same combination in "layouts" tab (it will appear as alt+next group).
So you must
-temporary remove alt-shift from 'XKB" tab
-add alt-shift for switch to next layout in "layouts" or "shortcuts" tab
-add alt-shift again in "XKB" tab

[tethragon]

Just to help either solving the problem or working until fixed, I found this workaround.

If you first assign a keyboard shortcut for alt+shift for switch to next layout in "layouts" or "shortcuts" tab and then also add the alt+shift method for switching to new layout in "XKB" tab, then the switching is working fine system wide.
Quick switch and also switch in the search bar.

Note that if you already have the alt-shift enabled in "XKB", you cannot add the same combination in "layouts" tab (it will appear as alt+next group).
So you must
-temporary remove alt-shift from 'XKB" tab
-add alt-shift for switch to next layout in "layouts" or "shortcuts" tab
-add alt-shift again in "XKB" tab

Thank you very much. I have already found the ΧΚΒ "workaround", but devs should be informed. When Linux Mint go full wayland and no X11 be available, I guess the workaround won't work.

[MintyBadgerParts]

I've been having an adjacent issue related to bug description 1.

I and at least one other person have been having issues with shift key lag on 22.3 whilst playing the game world of warships. In game the shift key is bound to binoculars (zoom), which is used to aim at targets. In 22.3, hitting the shift button does not activate the binoculars immediately, but after a delay (it's somewhere in the region of 0.2-0.5s), which greatly impacts the gameplay. Mapping the binoculars function to a different key (space) does not produce this issue, so the issue seems tied to the shift key specifically.

I've seen a couple of people having issues with shift key shortcuts, and have solved this by changing the input method framework in settings, but having tried this, it does not seem to have an affect on this particular issue (and I am not using any framework). I would imagine that there may be an issue with other games that assign the shift key to a function, however a lack of complaints from other gamers on this issue suggests that it is either not noticeable in them or not present (although I will try run half life to check and see if the 'sprint' function is also delayed and then update this post).

For the time being the only solution is to timeshift back to 22.2, where this issues wasn't present. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[cptX]

Just to help either solving the problem or working until fixed, I found this workaround.

If you first assign a keyboard shortcut for alt+shift for switch to next layout in "layouts" or "shortcuts" tab and then also add the alt+shift method for switching to new layout in "XKB" tab, then the switching is working fine system wide. Quick switch and also switch in the search bar.

Note that if you already have the alt-shift enabled in "XKB", you cannot add the same combination in "layouts" tab (it will appear as alt+next group). So you must -temporary remove alt-shift from 'XKB" tab -add alt-shift for switch to next layout in "layouts" or "shortcuts" tab -add alt-shift again in "XKB" tab

I use the left WIN key for layout switching and this workaround didn't work for me! Tried adding it both in layout and XKB options.

[Urmipie]

https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=461172
Looks like current solution is disabling IBus, ibus exit and sudo apt-get remove ibus worked for me

I and at least one other person have been having issues with shift key lag on 22.3 whilst playing the game world of warships. In game the shift key is bound to binoculars (zoom), which is used to aim at targets. In 22.3, hitting the shift button does not activate the binoculars immediately, but after a delay (it's somewhere in the region of 0.2-0.5s), which greatly impacts the gameplay.

had same problem, but somehow it was also with other, non-modificator buttons, also got fixed after i disabled IBus

[tethragon]

Additional critical regressions regarding keyboard layout switching in Cinnamon

I would like to report three additional significant issues that have surfaced with the recent keyboard layout handling changes:

Lock Screen Deadlock: After a system suspend, user switching, or even when the screen wakes up from idle, the user is prompted for their password. If the keyboard layout was set to a non-Latin language (e.g., Greek) before the lock, there is no way to switch back to English on the lock screen. This effectively locks the user out of their system as they cannot type their password.

Mint Menu Search Focus: The language switching shortcut (Alt+Shift) is completely ignored when the focus is within the search bar of the Mint Menu. Users are forced to click outside the menu, change the language, and then reopen the menu to search in a different language.

Remote Desktop Regression (AnyDesk/TeamViewer): Previously, when using remote desktop applications like AnyDesk, the Alt+Shift combination would be captured by the remote machine if the window had focus. Now, the shortcut only toggles the local system's layout, making it impossible to switch languages on the remote computer through the standard shortcut.

These issues combined make multi-language setups very difficult to use in a professional environment. I hope these can be addressed in an upcoming fix.

[ITDiver77]

Hello! This issue makes the entire update experience go from 'wow, new GUI, good job' to 'why did I even decide to upgrade? The previous version was fine'. Yep, I can switch the keyboard with a long press. But I don't want to think about it. Normally, I just press a key sequence and that's all. Now I have to check: 'Did I press it long enough? Is it switched or not?' Awful!

Removing ibus didn't help in my case.

Hopefully, this solution solves the issue (I'm using Lctrl+Lshift, btw):

If you first assign a keyboard shortcut for alt+shift for switch to next layout in "layouts" or "shortcuts" tab and then also add the alt+shift method for switching to new layout in "XKB" tab, then the switching is working fine system wide.