[RESOLVED] Kubuntu 25.10 Xscreensaver no Autostart

[greenster]

I searched for it on the Internet, but couldn't find a solution.

Is there a way to install Xscreensaver in Kubuntu?

If you install Xscreensaver via Synaptic Package Manager, you won't be able to start this screensaver.

[claydoh]

It has taken extra work to use screensavers in at least Gnome and KDE for quite a number of years now.

https://www.jwz.org/xscreensaver/man1.html see the KDE section

It does not specify if you still need to use an xorg session for this but it seems logical.

Now, if you just use a slideshow , you can configure this as the lock screen wallpaper.

[claydoh]

And I found this, which may be useful:

https://store.kde.org/p/2318884/

https://invent.kde.org/dos/plasma-wallpaper-application#installation

[greenster]

Does not work after restarting.

[greenster]

Does not work after restarting.

[greenster]

Xscreensaver still works on my Windows 11, even though it was last updated in 2015. 🥳🥳🥳

[greenster]

I added Xscreensaver to autostart, but this error is displayed:





I also tried to start Xscreensaver via the console, but this error was displayed:




Very kindly asked, how can these errors be eliminated?

[greenster]

I found the solution: I have to select the “Plasma (X11)” workspace session when logging in. But because I selected automatic login when installing Kubuntu, Kubuntu does not remember that it should start with Plasma (X11).

How do I disable automatic login?

[Snowhog]

Go to System Settings then click on Colors & Themes then Login Screen (SDDM) then at the top of the window, click on Behavior... and then uncheck Automatically log in: then click on Apply.

[greenster]

Snowhog Thank you very much for your help. It works well.

Now XScreensaver starts. But it requires you to start display “:0”. But how do you make XScreensaver do this automatically and start minimized when Kubuntu starts?

[Snowhog]

This may be helpful.

AI Overview

The message "The XScreenSaver daemon doesn't seem to be running" appears when you try to launch the
xscreensaver settings, but the background process (daemon) is inactive. KDE Plasma uses its own screen locking system by default, which can conflict with XScreenSaver.
To resolve this and use XScreenSaver, you generally need to ensure the KDE screen locker is disabled and the xscreensaver daemon is set to launch automatically at startup.

Option 1: Launch the Daemon Now
If you want to use XScreenSaver just for the current session, simply click "Yes" or "Launch it Now" in the dialog box. This will start the daemon for your current session, and you can configure its settings via the xscreensaver-demo application.

Option 2: Configure XScreenSaver as your permanent screensaver
For a permanent solution where XScreenSaver is used instead of the default Plasma screen locker, follow these steps:

• Disable the default KDE screen locker:
  • Open System Settings in KDE.
  • Navigate to Workspace > Screen Locking (or Desktop Behavior > Screen Locking in older versions).
  • Turn off or disable automatic screen locking in these settings. You may also need to check Power Management settings and disable "Turn off screen" options there to prevent conflicts.
• Set XScreenSaver to Autostart:
  • In System Settings, go to Startup and Shutdown > Autostart.
  • Click Add Application or Add Login Script.
  • In the command field, type xscreensaver --no-splash.
  • Make sure the entry is enabled.
• Log out and Log back in:
  • Logging out and then logging back in will ensure the changes take effect and the xscreensaver daemon starts with your session.
• Configure XScreenSaver settings:
  • After logging back in, you can run the xscreensaver-demo command (e.g., by pressing Alt+F2 and typing the command) to access the settings and choose your desired screensavers.

This configuration will prevent the warning message from appearing in the future and allow XScreenSaver to manage your screen blanking and locking behavior.

[greenster]

I did everything as you described. After restarting, I ran the “xscreensaver-demo” command and the Xscreensaver settings opened, but the Xcreensaver again requested to start “Display ”:0".


I did that.

Now I logged out and back in, but the Xscreensaver does not start on its own.


I open the Xcreensaver settings again and am asked to start the command “Display ”:0" again.

📌 So shouldn't this command be added to the command field in the Xscreensaver autostart?📌

[greenster]

Autostart shows that Xscreensaver failed to start automatically. (Without the command “Display ”:0").

[greenster]

The autostart of XScreensaver looks like this:

[greenster]

This error was actually easy to fix, but first I had to figure it out...

The user @Krovikan from the KDE Discuss Forum helped me with this.

In the autostart folder of Xscreensaver,

I had entered "xscreensaver-settings" instead of "xscreensaver" as the programme name.

Now Xscreensaver works flawlessly in Kubuntu 25.10 KDE Plasma.