How to Fix: xfdesktop error after inactivity "None of the screen lock tools ran successfully, the screen will not be locked"

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xfdesktop error after inactivity: a common issue with lightdm and xfce.

The Problem

This issue affects users of lightdm and xfce on laptops, causing an error message to appear after inactivity or screen lock failure. The error message 'None of the screen lock tools ran successfully, the screen will not be locked' is frustrating for users as it prevents them from locking their screens properly.The primary goal of this troubleshooting guide is to help resolve the issue by identifying and fixing the root cause of the problem.
💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

                The xfdesktop process fails to run successfully, preventing the screen lock tools from executing. This can be due to various reasons such as missing or outdated dependencies, incorrect configuration, or a malfunctioning xfdesktop service.Another possible cause is related to the lightdm settings, where an incorrect configuration of the 'lock-screen' option might prevent the screen from locking properly.

            🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

                Enabling xfdesktop manually and adjusting its configuration

                    Step 1: Firstly, ensure that the xfdesktop service is enabled by running the following command: `sudo systemctl enable xfdesktop@4`.Step 2: Next, restart the xfdesktop service to apply the changes: `sudo systemctl restart xfdesktop`.Step 3: Adjust the xfdesktop configuration file at `/etc/xfconf/fdo.d/90-xfdesktop.conf` to ensure that it is set to run successfully. The relevant line should read `xfdesktop = { enable = true }`. Save and close the file.



                Configuring lightdm settings for proper screen locking

                    Step 1: Open the lightdm configuration file at `/etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf` in a text editor: `sudo nano /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf`.Step 2: Comment out or remove the line `lock-screen = true` to allow the screen lock feature to work properly. Instead, set `lock-screen = false` and ensure that the `xfdesktop` service is running correctly.


            💡 Conclusion
            To resolve the xfdesktop error after inactivity, it is recommended to enable xfdesktop manually and adjust its configuration, or configure lightdm settings for proper screen locking. By following these steps, users should be able to lock their screens successfully and avoid the 'None of the screen lock tools ran successfully' error message.

Full step-by-step guide with screenshots: Read the complete fix here

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