π ~1 min read
Table of contents
Symptom & Impact
User cannot access desktop session despite correct credentials.
Environment & Reproduction
Ubuntu 14.04 workstation with Unity/LightDM display manager.
Root Cause Analysis
Broken session files, incorrect ownership, or graphics driver mismatch.
Quick Triage
Switch to TTY and verify disk space, home permissions, and logs.
Step-by-Step Diagnosis
Inspect .Xauthority, session logs, and display manager status.
Solution – Primary Fix
Repair file ownership, reset session cache, and restart LightDM.
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Solution – Alternative Approaches
Temporarily use alternate display manager for isolation testing.
Verification & Acceptance Criteria
Graphical login opens a persistent desktop session successfully.
Rollback Plan
Restore prior display manager package and desktop session config.
Prevention & Hardening
Apply graphics and desktop updates in controlled change windows.
Related Errors & Cross-Refs
Compare with black screen after login and GPU driver crashes.
Related tutorial: View the step-by-step tutorial for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS.
View all Ubuntu 14.04 LTS tutorials on the Tutorials Hub β
Browse all common problems & solutions on the Tutorials Hub.
References & Further Reading
Ubuntu desktop recovery and LightDM administration references.
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