Ubuntu – How to restart X Window Server from command line

command linexorg

How can I restart X Window Server from the command line?

I'd really like to be able to restart my GUI without having to do a full system reboot.

Best Answer

NOTE: This will forcefully quit all graphical programs, you'll lose any unsaved work, and you'll be logged out. Non-graphical programs will not be affected.

TL;DR: on systems with systemd (Ubuntu 15.04 and newer)

sudo systemctl restart display-manager

This will restart the appropriate display manager service (lightdm till 17.04, gdm3 after, sddm in Kubuntu, etc.). You can replace display-manager with lightdm, gdm3, sddm, etc. if needed, but this should be enough.

For other Ubuntu versions, first find which display manager your ubuntu is having with following command:

cat /etc/X11/default-display-manager

Than depending on what display manager, you can use one of the following commands:

  • Default Ubuntu (with LightDM)

    sudo systemctl restart lightdm

  • Gnome (with GDM)

    sudo systemctl restart gdm

  • KDE (with KDM)

    sudo systemctl restart kdm

    Note: From 12.10 to 15.04, Kubuntu also uses LightDM.

  • For MDM (e.g. for Mint Cinnamon)

    sudo systemctl restart mdm
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