RustDesk: Fullscreen Update Bug On Wayland

by Alex Johnson 43 views

Experiencing issues with RustDesk and fullscreen applications on Wayland? You're not alone. This article delves into a specific bug report detailing problems with screen updates in fullscreen mode when using RustDesk on Wayland, particularly with applications like VLC. We'll explore the bug, how to reproduce it, expected behavior, and the technical details surrounding the issue.

Bug Description: Fullscreen Applications Not Updating

The core problem lies in the behavior of fullscreen applications when viewed through RustDesk on a Wayland session, specifically Ubuntu GNOME. The screen contents cease to update unless there is mouse movement. This bug does not affect non-fullscreen windows, which update as expected. The issue seems to stem from how Wayland manages screen recording for fullscreen applications. Understanding this RustDesk and Wayland interaction is crucial for users who rely on remote desktop solutions for various tasks, such as multimedia streaming or remote software operation. The inability to maintain a consistent visual update in fullscreen mode can severely hinder the user experience, making tasks like watching videos or interacting with fullscreen applications frustrating and impractical. This bug highlights the complexities of remote desktop applications in handling modern display protocols like Wayland, where security and performance considerations often lead to different implementation approaches compared to older protocols like X11. Addressing this bug is essential for ensuring RustDesk remains a viable option for users transitioning to Wayland-based systems and for maintaining feature parity with its performance on other display protocols.

How to Reproduce the Fullscreen Bug

To reproduce this RustDesk fullscreen update bug, follow these steps:

  1. Log into an Ubuntu GNOME Wayland system using RustDesk.
  2. Open VLC (or another fullscreen application) and play any local video.
  3. Observe that the video plays correctly and RustDesk updates the screen smoothly while the VLC window is not in fullscreen mode.
  4. Switch VLC to fullscreen using its bottom control bar or any other method.
  5. Notice that the video freezes on the RustDesk side. The screen updates stop, and the video playback becomes unresponsive from the remote viewer's perspective. This is the primary symptom of the bug.
  6. Move the mouse cursor on the remote system:
    • The video updates for a few seconds, but then freezes again once the mouse becomes inactive. This intermittent update behavior is a key characteristic of the issue.
  7. Bring the mouse over the bottom area of the VLC window so that the VLC control bar appears:
    • While the control bar is visible, the video updates normally. This suggests that the presence of UI elements can temporarily mitigate the bug.
  8. Move the mouse away, causing the control bar to hide:
    • The video immediately stops updating again, confirming the correlation between UI element visibility and the update issue.
  9. Exit fullscreen mode:
    • The video resumes updating normally in RustDesk, demonstrating that the problem is specific to fullscreen applications.

These steps consistently reproduce the issue, highlighting that screen updates from fullscreen applications stop unless there is mouse movement or UI elements are visible. This consistent reproducibility is essential for debugging and fixing the underlying cause of the bug. By following these steps, users and developers can reliably test whether a fix has been implemented correctly and whether the bug has been resolved.

Expected Behavior: Smooth Fullscreen Playback

The expected behavior is that RustDesk should continuously update the screen during fullscreen playback, just as it does in windowed mode. This means that when a user switches an application to fullscreen while using RustDesk, the remote screen should seamlessly mirror the activity on the host machine. The video or application content should play smoothly without any freezing or intermittent updates. The responsiveness should be consistent regardless of whether the mouse is moving or UI elements are visible. This continuous update is crucial for a satisfactory user experience, particularly in scenarios such as remote presentations, video streaming, or interactive application usage. The smooth playback allows users to perform tasks remotely without being hindered by visual disruptions. The goal is to provide a remote desktop experience that closely mirrors the local desktop experience, ensuring that users can work, play, or collaborate without being affected by technical limitations. When RustDesk fails to update the screen continuously, it breaks this expectation, leading to frustration and reduced productivity. Therefore, addressing this bug is vital for maintaining the usability and competitiveness of RustDesk as a remote desktop solution.

Operating Systems and RustDesk Versions

This issue has been observed across different operating systems and RustDesk versions, indicating that the bug is not isolated to a specific configuration. The local (controlling) side was running Ubuntu 24.04, while the remote (controlled) side was running Nobara (Fedora 42). This cross-distribution occurrence suggests that the bug may be related to the underlying Wayland implementation or RustDesk's interaction with it, rather than distribution-specific configurations. The RustDesk versions involved were 1.4.3 on the local side and 1.4.1 on the remote side. The version disparity indicates that the bug is present in both versions and may have existed in earlier releases as well. Identifying the specific versions affected helps developers narrow down the scope of the bug and potentially pinpoint the commit or code change that introduced the issue. It also highlights the importance of testing across different versions to ensure that fixes are effective and do not introduce regressions in other areas of the application. Furthermore, documenting the operating systems and versions helps other users who encounter the bug to confirm that they are experiencing the same issue, which can facilitate troubleshooting and support efforts.

Technical Details of the Remote System

The remote system's configuration provides valuable insights into the environment where the bug occurs. Here are some key details:

  • GNOME Version: GNOME Shell 46.0
  • Session Type: wayland
  • Mutter Version: 46.2-1ubuntu0.24.04.10 (repeated several times in the original report, indicating its significance)
  • RustDesk Version: 1.4.1
  • Ubuntu Version: Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS
  • Kernel Version: 6.8.0-87-generic
  • GPU Info:
    • Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Navi 31 [Radeon RX 7900 XT/7900 XTX/7900 GRE/7900M] (rev cc)
    • Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Granite Ridge [Radeon Graphics] (rev c1)
  • OpenGL Version: 4.6 (Compatibility Profile) Mesa 25.0.7-0ubuntu0.24.04.2

The fact that the session type is Wayland is crucial, as the bug is specific to Wayland sessions. The Mutter version is also relevant, as Mutter is the window manager for GNOME, and its interaction with RustDesk's screen capturing mechanisms may be the source of the issue. The GPU information can help identify potential driver-related problems or compatibility issues with the graphics hardware. The OpenGL version is another factor to consider, as RustDesk may rely on OpenGL for rendering and screen updates. Overall, this detailed system information provides a comprehensive picture of the environment in which the bug is occurring, enabling developers to make informed decisions about how to address the issue.

Conclusion: Addressing the RustDesk Fullscreen Bug on Wayland

The RustDesk fullscreen update bug on Wayland is a significant issue that affects user experience, particularly for applications requiring smooth video playback or interactive fullscreen interfaces. The bug's consistent reproducibility and the detailed system information provided in the bug report offer a clear path for developers to investigate and resolve the problem. Understanding the interaction between RustDesk, Wayland, and the GNOME desktop environment is crucial for identifying the root cause and implementing an effective solution. Addressing this bug will enhance the reliability and usability of RustDesk on Wayland systems, ensuring that users can seamlessly access and interact with their remote desktops. For more in-depth information on Wayland and its intricacies, you can visit the Wayland Official Website. This resource provides comprehensive details about the Wayland display server protocol and its implementation.