Thunderbird under Wayland does not correctly close (or manage) windows

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

I'm seeing the same thing after the recent update to Thunderbird 78.11. Ubuntu 21.04 on Wayland. x11 is ok. In my case it appears to be related to the Reminder dialogue opening. Some more details:

Start Thunderbird and make sure the Reminder dialogue does not open (eg by snoozing any reminders in a previous session).
Open a few emails in new windows - everything works as normal.

Now set a calendar entry for a few minutes and wait for the reminder dialogue to pop up.

Icon on dock shows indicator showing two open windows
Open an email in a new window
Icon on dock shows indicator showing three open windows
Close email
Icon on dock still shows indicator showing three open windows
Icon on dock is now unresponsive to left click. Right-click shows the menu listing all the windows you have opened, but is unresponsive and stays on the screen. It goes if you press "Super" twice.

Then switch to Thunderbird using Alt-tab
Repeat until more than 4 windows have been opened - icon show the maximum 4 indicators.
Close Thunderbird using Quit from the menu (ps shows no running Thunderbird processes)
Dock still shows icon with 4 indicators
Left or right click no longer does anything. A middle-click starts a new instance of Thunderbird.

Update: clicking on the Thunderbird Mail application menu in the top bar shows a complete list of the windows you have opened since Thunderbird was started.

I also have that problem now (hirsute, thunderbird version 1:78.11.0+build1-0ubuntu0.21.04.2). The docks shows 2 tabs on Thunderbird while only one is open.
The most annoying part is that ALT-TAB window switching does not longer work then.

Seems to affect my system as well. I am on Kubuntu 21.04 with KDE Plasma 5.22.2. Thunderbird is basically unusable on Wayland for me. The whole ui is flickering especially when a reminder notification appears. Thunderbird is the only application that is behaving like that. Firefox runs without problems. I have also noticed graphical artifacts in GIMP when running the Plasma Wayland Session.

I have the same problem on ubuntu 21.04 wayland. Logging on under ubuntu xorg fixes it.

Windows sometimes don't close properly, and trying to exit can trigger a logoff. Manually logging off and back on fixes it for a while, until another window sticks.

Thunderbird version 1:78.11.0+build1-0ubuntu0.21.04.2

Wayland is almost unusable because of this.

Me too. After the recent thunderbird update, every time I send an email results in an extra “point” that I can seemingly get rid of only by logging out and back in.

[EDIT : never mind, it affects both actually]

I have two computers both on Ubuntu 21.04 Wayland and Thunderbird 1:78.11.0+build1-0ubuntu0.21.04.2, and strangely this bug only affects one of my computer...

I don't know if any additional information from those two machine can help identifying the bug origin ? or maybe it's already identified ?

Same behaviour with version 78.12.0 (newly fresh installed)

I tried adding --display=:0 to the desktop commmand, as below:

Exec=thunderbird -addressbook --display=:0

I still get the same problem under wayland.

That is the exec entry for "Contacts" desktop entry in the .desktop file.
Try to add "--display=:0" also in the general exec entry (the first one in the file) in order to be sure to test it!

Oops - sorry. I scrolled too quickly assuming it was at the bottom. I'll try that and report if it is still causing problems.

Yves - all seems to be OK now with that fix. Thanks.

The workaround suggested in comment #9 is fine, however if you use fractional scaling under Wayland it makes the text in Thunderbird way too blurry.

I had this problem a few weeks ago (21.04) & changed to x11.
Additionally I found it sometimes affected nautilus file windows in the dock in the same way.
The dock would show dots for windows that did not exist & then new windows could not be opened & reboot was needed. So its more than just a Thunderbird problem.

The workaround suggested on #9 is not working, unfortunately.

Problem till present after upgrade to 78,13,0

Hi,

Since a few weeks, I have a problem with Thunderbird (current version 78.12) and Ubuntu Dock / Dash to Dock in Ubuntu 21.10 :

When I write a new message and send it, after the message window has closed, its red dot remains near Thunderbird button on the Ubuntu dock - there are 2 dots: the one of main TB window (receipt box) and a second one as if there was another window still opened.

But if I switch to another application - Firefox, Gedit, Nautilus, no matter… - and then with the mouse (left button) click on Thunderbird icon, desktop freezes completely, I have to manually close the computer and restart it.

All is frozen, mouse nor Alt-Tab don't work, but if for example Radiotray was active, I can still hear the audio program live.

If I just roll the middle button on the mouse to switch on Thunderbird and not click, it doesn't freeze. But to be back on TB main window, I must before minimize all other applications, then run somewhere in TB interface (not on Dash button), or roll is useless and doesn't show Thunderbird.

If I open a window for a new message, don't send it and just close it, only one red dot stays and no freeze, even with a left button click.

I also report the bug upstream.

Crash logs :

Jul 2 18:41:14 valeryan24-desktop gnome-shell[2311]: Object St.Bin (0x55c216acf060), has been already deallocated — impossible to set any property on it. This might be caused by the object having been destroyed from C code using something such as destroy(), dispose(), or remove() vfuncs.
Jul 2 18:41:14 valeryan24-desktop gnome-shell[2311]: == Stack trace for context 0x55c213c2c1d0 ==
Jul 2 18:41:14 valeryan24-desktop gnome-shell[2311]: #0 7ffe8ca71020 b /<email address hidden>/docking.js:2036 (4f2dda5e470 @ 208)
Jul 2 18:41:14 valeryan24-desktop gnome-shell[2311]: Object St.Bin (0x55c216acf060), has been already deallocated — impossible to set any property on it. This might be caused by the object having been destroyed from C code using something such as destroy(), dispose(), or remove() vfuncs.
Jul 2 18:41:14 valeryan24-desktop gnome-shell[2311]: == Stack trace for context 0x55c213c2c1d0 ==

Jul 9 00:00:10 valeryan24-desktop gnome-shell[2445]: Object St.Bin (0x55abc2039d10), has been already deallocated — impossible to set any property on it. This might be caused by the object having been destroyed from C code using something such as destroy(), dispose(), or remove() vfuncs.
Jul 9 00:00:10 valeryan24-desktop gnome-shell[2445]: == Stack trace for context 0x55abc1b471d0 ==
Jul 9 00:00:10 valeryan24-desktop gnome-shell[2445]: #0 7ffc34c41bd0 b /<email address hidden>/docking.js:2036 (329752c5e470 @ 208)
Jul 9 00:00:10 valeryan24-desktop gnome-shell[2445]: Object St.Bin (0x55abc2039d10), has been already deallocated — impossible to set any property on it. This might be caused by the object having been destroyed from C code using something such as destroy(), dispose(), or remove() vfuncs.
Jul 9 00:00:10 valeryan24-desktop gnome-shell[2445]: == Stack trace for context 0x55abc1b471d0 ==

Jul 16 10:17:15 valeryan24-desktop sy...

Commenting out the line that reads

    export MOZ_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1

in /usr/lib/thunderbird/thunderbird.sh makes the problem go away, because the application will now run as an XWayland client.

FWIW, I can also observe the issue in a fully up-to-date impish (upcoming 21.10) VM.

I have managed to reproduce the issue with the upstream build for 78.13.0, downloaded from thunderbird.net, in a fully up-to-date hirsute VM, executed with MOZ_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1.

This rules out a packaging problem.

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

From the upstream bug report (https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1724656), I tested rather extensively in a Fedora 33 VM and wasn't able to reproduce the issue, so there seems to be something that's specific to Ubuntu in this problem (maybe the version of dash-to-dock?).

Yes, as I wrote in the duplicate bug #1938832 : after leaving a second red dot as if compose window was still opened, if I click on the Thunderbird icon on Ubuntu dock, it freezes the entire desktop, and I have to manually force shutdown.

I reported it upstream, but Dash to Dock development seems stopped - there is a fork on progress to adapt it to Gnome 40, but other bugs are not solved for the moment…

https://github.com/micheleg/dash-to-dock/issues/1500

I have this problem too.
The real problem for me is less the dots staying in place, but alt-tab not working anymore.
With so many people being affected - did anybody find a workaround other than not using wayland or logging in and out?
Is there anything people not deeply into Gnome and/or thunderbird development can do to help it getting solved?

I tried to kill and get gnome-shell reloaded, as I used to to before sometimes, but that just leads to the whole gnome-shell going down and not coming up again, as far as I understand this is related to using Wayland, where killing gnome shell and having it restart automatically seems not to be supported.

Try

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/thunderbird/+bug/1932328/comments/18

It worked for me.

Like it was said before, this issue is probably not specific to Thunderbird. I get the same problem with ImageMagick !

I experience this bug under Wayland in Pop!_OS 21.04, which uses a custom fork of Dash to Dock (Cosmic Dock).[*]

I found a clunky workaround:

* Select File -> Send Later (ctl-shift-enter): message is saved to Outbox.
* Select File -> Send Unsent Messages.

This method does not create a "ghost window". But it's nearly as annoying as the bug itself. I had to remove the "Send" button from the Composition toolbar to keep me from reflexively clicking it. (I should really just switch TB to run under Xwayland, but I'm pigheaded.)

[*] https://github.com/pop-os/cosmic-dock

Derek - Your "Clunky workaround" can be automated:
https://www.summet.com/blog/2015/11/16/making-thunderbird-send-messages-in-the-background-like-outlook/

Looks like the fixes for Gnome 40 and 41 are in https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-shell/-/issues/4184

With newest Ubuntu 21.10 (Impish) and the supplied TB version 91.1.2 the problem is now highly critical...
Thank you in advance to rapidly fix it.

On impish, wayland, Tbird 91.1.2 the problem returned. I redid comment 18, since the new Tbird had updated the sh file.

Interestingly, comments #18-23 are all missing for me; when I view the comments online @ https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/thunderbird/+bug/1932328 , the comments skip from #17 to #24. Logged in or not.

It appears comments are displayed in chronological order rather than the numerical order they were added to the page. Those can be different when we import comments from another bug tracker (those with a grey background). It's weird but seems to make sense.

FYI
this problem also exists under Manjaro + Gnome 40.4.0 + Wayland
Thunderbird version 91.2.0
gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-dock 70-1

I confirm that problem persists with "current" ubuntu versions:
Ubuntu 21.10 (Impish) - Wayland
Gnome-shell 40.5-1ubutnu2
Ubuntu Dock (gnome-shell-extension) 70-ubuntu3
libwayland 1.19.0-2build1
xwayland 2:21.1.2-0ubuntu1
Linux 5.13.0-21
Thunderbird 1:91.2.0+build1-0ubuntu0.21.10.2

I just noticed that the same issue appears while using Inkscape: open the export dialog, export the image and close the dialog. Then you will still see two dots in the dock near the inkscape icon. And if you quit Inkscape, on dot remains and ALT-TAB doesn't work anymore.

The fix in mutter 40.6 could apply to any app. Wait till this fix is released and if you still have problems with Inkscape after that then a new bug would need to be opened.

For anyone needing a fix for nonfunctional alt-tab switching, at least for Ubuntu/Gnome you can remap in keyboard shortcuts to have the "direct windows switching", which by default is alt-esc, to be instead alt-tab. It is slightly different behavior -- more visual noise -- but fulfills the same essential function.

I Ctrl-F'ed for "snap" with no result so I assume it has not been mentioned:
Running Ubuntu 21.04, I had Thunderbird with this bug. Removing it and installing it with snap fixed the issue.

Can anyone confirm behavior I'm seeing which may be related to this bug?

Several people are reporting that Alt+Tab stops working when this bug happens, but can you please tell me if Super+Tab starts doing what Alt+Tab is supposed to do?

I've actually noticed *that* behavior more than the primary issues of this bug (because I use Alt+Tab more than Thunderbird, I guess), but knowing that this is what's causing it would be a help to me.

Thanks!

I was actually wondering if those two issues were related. But for the time being the Alt+Tab issue is tracked in bug 1950925.

For Ubuntu 21.10, an update of mutter was delivered yesterday (40.5-1). It seems to have solved the problem.

The only relevant update was mutter 40.5-1ubuntu3~21.10.1 that was 5 days ago. I would not expect it to have solved this bug.

I can confirm the bug still exists with mutter 40.5-1ubuntu3 and thunderbird 1:91.3.2+build1-0ubuntu1, as tested in a fully up-to-date jammy VM.

In reply to #56.

I can confirm Alt-TAB stops working when Thunderbird mis-behaves.

Normally it would show 1 more red (i.e. Window) dot than necessary.
But today it is showing 5 extra dots.

I can still confirm bug. Fully updated Ubuntu 20.10
- thunderbird 1:91.3.1+build1-0ubuntu0.21.10.2
- mutter 40.5-1ubuntu3~21.10.1

But after commenting "export MOZ_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1" like suggested in comment #18 problem stops. All is working fine now.

Thanks. We know the bug is still present. It's not fixed until 40.6.

I have same problem:
Ubuntu 21.10
Gnome 40.4.40
Wayland
Thunderbird 91.3.1,

and miss the ALT+TAB-Switch really !!!

But the work around of #54 (which is new for me, thanks!!!) is fine and helpful:

I take ALT+ESC instead of ALT+TAB (which switches directly to the next window(s).

At the moment, in Ubuntu 21.10 we have gnome-shell 40.5, which is the same version for "jammy".

When will Ubuntu ship 40.6?

This bug was fixed in the package mutter - 41.3-1ubuntu1

---------------
mutter (41.3-1ubuntu1) jammy; urgency=medium

  * Merge with debian, includes these upstream changes:
    - window: Don't change workspaces of unmanaged windows (LP: #1933996)
    - backend: Reset idletime when unplugging the power cable (LP: #1945121)
    - clutter/text: Invalidate actor paint volume when it has changed
      (LP: #1882291)
    - backends/native: Ensure pointer is onscreen in input thread (LP: #1933186)
    - OSK Enter, space and backspace keys don't work when typing in Greek
      (LP: #1820523)
    - window: Don't change workspaces of unmanaged windows (LP: #1932328)
  * Remainig changes with debian:
    - debian/gbp.conf: update upstream branch to point to ubuntu/master
    - debian/patches/x11-Add-support-for-fractional-scaling-using-Randr.patch:
      + X11: Add support for fractional scaling using Randr

mutter (41.3-1) unstable; urgency=medium

  * New upstream release:
    - Check keyboard serials for activation
    - Fix mixed up refresh rates in multi-monitor setups (LP: #1788535)
    - Allow disabling HW cursors
    - Improve damage handling (LP: #1872870)
    - Consider xrandr flags for advertised modes
    - Ensure constraints after client resize
    - window-group: Disable culling when rendinging clone to offscreen buffer
    - Fix workspace switch animation in default plugin
    - Fix unfullscreening of window that were mapped fullscreen
    - Fix DMA-BUF screencasts with unredirected fullscreen windows
    - Fix orientation changes on devices with 90°

mutter (41.2-2) unstable; urgency=medium

  * Team upload
  * d/p/Consistently-pass-timestamp-as-uint64-when-creating-MetaS.patch:
    Add proposed patch to fix FTBFS on 32-bit architectures
  * d/patches: Update to 41.2-6-g7b64c159a
    - Surface damage viewport improvements
  * Update patch metadata with upstream status

mutter (41.2-1) unstable; urgency=medium

  * Team upload

  [ Simon McVittie ]
  * New upstream release
  * d/patches: Drop patches that were applied upstream
  * d/patches: Update to upstream gnome-41 branch commit 41.2-3-g5d0c26631
    - wayland: Check keyboard serials for activation
    - Sync refresh rate to the correct monitor for maximized/full-screen
      apps in a multi-monitor layout
    - Add a debug environment variable to disable hardware cursors for
      faulty hardware and drivers

  [ Laurent Bigonville ]
  * debian/rules: Disable systemd support on non-linux architectures

mutter (41.1-1) unstable; urgency=medium

  * Team upload
  * New upstream release
  * Drop a patch that came from upstream
  * Update Lintian overrides
  * Replace patches for #995929 with the version that was applied upstream
  * Remove workaround for #994806
  * d/libmutter-9-0.symbols: Ignore removal of clutter_stage_capture_into.
    Nothing else in Debian references this symbol, except for forks of
    the mutter codebase.

mutter (41.0-5) unstable; urgency=medium

  * Team upload
  * Merge packaging from unstable
    - No changes relative to 41.0-4, except for the changelog
  * Close #995929 via changelog.
    The patches in 41.0-4 seem to have been successful.
  * Release to...

It's also been suggested newer versions of Thunderbird don't hit this mutter bug(?)

Just tested on impish with thunderbird 91.5.1, and the problem persists.

If there's a version of mutter missing the fix still then it looks trivial to patch:

https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/mutter/-/merge_requests/2003/diffs

Latest Thunderbird (1.91.7), on 21.10, same problem. mutter is only 40.5. Is there any chance of a fix to a current version of ubuntu?

I hit this bug in Jammy, up to date including GS 42.0 latest.
See attachment.

I noticed it because Dock from Dash extension relies on windows count to switch to app or to overview...

This bug is closed for jammy so please open a new bug.

But it is not solved at all! Think to disappointed users, please.

The fix should be in jammy, but is known to not be in impish. Since you are the first person to report that it doesn't seem to be working in jammy, please open a new bug by running:

  ubuntu-bug thunderbird

or

  ubuntu-bug gnome-shell

@vanvugt
Sorry. I was testing with a beta version, till unstable.
Now I have installed the final Jammy system (22.04) with Gnome and mutter version 42.0.
In that Wayland environment, Thunderbird seems now to work correctly.
Thank you.

Ubuntu 22.04 Wayland. Thunderbird not opening. Fix from #18 helped.

Bartek,

This bug is closed. Please open a new bug for any issues you experience by running:

  ubuntu-bug thunderbird