Linux setup, permissions, and cursor tracking

Why Linux desktops show different controls

Linux desktops normally use either Wayland or X11 to display apps. You do not need to choose a capture technology manually for ordinary recording. Screenix detects the session and adapts its source selection.

If Screenix says Screen: Choose after starting, it is using the Wayland flow. Your desktop asks which source to share. If Screenix offers its own Display and Window lists, it is using the X11 flow.

On Wayland, PipeWire carries the screen video and the desktop portal handles permission. A portal backend is the part matched to your desktop, such as GNOME, KDE, or Hyprland. Screenix checks the relevant packages and services during setup.

Finish a setup dialog

Use the instructions for your actual desktop. Installing GNOME-specific portal packages on a different desktop is not a general fix. The system requirements page provides additional installation information.

1. Read the packages listed in Setup Required or Recording setup required. Screenix may start its automatic installation attempt as the dialog opens.
2. If your system requests an administrator password, approve the installation to add the listed recording components.
3. If installation fails, use the command shown for your distribution, or send the message to your administrator or Screenix support.
4. If packages are installed but Wayland portal is not ready remains, follow the repair instruction shown in that dialog and choose Check again.
5. After session or permission changes, save work in other apps, log out of Linux, and log back in. Reopen Screenix and make a short recording.

Fix a missing picker or black screen

When asking for help, include the distribution and version, desktop name, Wayland or X11 if known, and whether you chose a display or window. You can use the contact form without running terminal commands.

• Picker cancelled: nothing was recorded. Start again and approve a screen or window.
• Picker never appears or times out: look for the dialog behind other windows. Try again, then restart Screenix. If it continues, log out and back in and review the setup dialog.
• Desktop screen sharing is unavailable: the portal cannot be reached in this login session. A logout and login may restore it. If the problem remains, send the exact error to support.
• Permission was granted but no video arrived: close other screen-sharing apps, restart Screenix, and choose the screen again. Try a full display if window capture fails.
• X11 recording is black or capture fails: FFmpeg must support X11 screen capture. Use the distribution packages required by Screenix and report any FFmpeg warning shown during setup.
• Flatpak reports missing FFmpeg or playback components: those components belong to the Flatpak runtime. Update the Screenix Flatpak and its runtime through your software manager, then retry. Native package installation is not a replacement for a missing Flatpak runtime component.

Fix missing clicks, cursor movement, or shortcuts

Screen capture and cursor tracking are separate capabilities. A screen recording can work while click detection, cursor shape changes, or global keyboard shortcuts are limited by the desktop session or input permissions.

The native installer can ask to enable input-device access for reliable Wayland click tracking and hotkeys. If you allowed that setup, log out and back in so the permission applies. If you skipped it, or use a managed computer, contact support or your administrator for the setup appropriate to your installation.

After connecting a new keyboard, mouse, or tablet, restart Screenix and try again. If a shortcut still fails, use the recording toolbar while resolving the issue.

Cursor helpers on GNOME and Hyprland

• GNOME: Screenix includes a Cursor Bridge extension for cursor integration. The app or installer attempts to install and enable it. If cursor behavior is missing after installation, log out and back in, then check that the Screenix Cursor Bridge extension is enabled in GNOME Extensions.
• Hyprland: Screenix can offer a cursor helper setup dialog. It prepares a helper matched to the installed Hyprland version and may ask you to approve loading it. Screenix does not upgrade Hyprland as part of that helper setup.
• Hyprland without the helper: recording can still work, but the recorded cursor stays as the default arrow instead of changing to a text cursor or a hand over links.
• After a Hyprland update: the cursor helper may need to be updated or rebuilt for the new version. Follow the dialog and use Check again if manual setup is required.
• Other desktops: the available cursor behavior depends on the desktop integration. If clicks are missed or the pointer is offset, report the desktop name, display scaling, monitor arrangement, and input device.

Get help without guessing at system changes

Use Contact support, email [email protected], or open a GitHub issue. Include the exact error and what you tried. A screenshot of the setup dialog is often enough to start.

If Screenix offers a support action beside a recording error, use it to include the diagnostic context. For a public issue, remove personal screen content, license keys, account details, and private filenames first.