Linux Client/Macos server – unable to disable CapsLock

[HippoMan]

I’m a long-term NoMachine user. I’m reporting a problem with NoMachine not disabling CapsLock. I want that key to be totally and permanently disabled in all cases.

Here are the details …

I’m running NoMachine 8.8.1 in server mode under MacOS 11.7.9

I’m running NoMachine 8.8.1 in client mode under Ubuntu Linux 20.0.4 using XFCE4 window manager

I am always using a physical display on both machines

I have CapsLock totally disabled under Linux. I have disabled it via the XKB utility. When I am at my linux keyboard, the CapsLock key is totally non-functional. This is true when I am using xterm or rxvt or urxvt to manage the terminal session. It is also true for any and all other pieces of software that are running on the Linux machine, such as email clients, browsers, and all other software.

I have CapsLock totally disabled on the Mac, and when I am at my Mac keyboard, the CapsLock key is totally non-functional. This is true when I’m typing in Terminal, in iTerm2, and when I’m using any and all pieces of software that are running on the Mac.

However, when I am using Linux and connecting to my Mac via NoMachine, the CapsLock is enabled, and I cannot disable it on the Mac. In tother words, with a linux-client-to-mac-server NoMachine connection, whenever I type the CapsLock key on my Linux keyboard, NoMachine always translates all keys to upper case on the Mac, in any and all pieces of software that I am running.

Here’s how I disable CapsLock on the Mac …

System Preferences => Keyboard => Modifier Keys => Caps Lock Key => No Action

A year or so ago, I posted a similar question, but back then, I was using the “Karabiner Elements” application on the Mac to remap keys, including the CapsLock key. I was told then that this CapsLock issue is probably due to something within “Karabiner Elements”. However, since then, I have totally uninstalled “Karabiner Elements”, and there have been no vestiges of that software available on my Mac around a year.

How can this be fixed? I really, really dislike the CapsLock key, and my linux-to-Mac NoMachine connection is the only time that I am ever forced to deal with a functional CapsLock key, against my will.

Thank you very much for any thoughts and suggestions.

[fra81]

Hi,

sorry for the delay. Disabling CapsLock by XKB settings on the Linux client will simply disable it as a modifier, but the NoMachine player will still receive it and forward to the Mac. Furthermore, when you disable CapsLock on the Mac, this will only affect the physical keyboard of the Mac, but it won’t have any effect on the remote input events.

What I’d suggest you is to disable the CapsLock key completely on the Linux machine, by using this command:

xmodmap -e 'keycode 66=NoSymbol'

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