xset: Basic Usage for X

xset: Basic Usage for X

xset is a lightweight utility to customize user preferences for the X server. It changes settings such as screensaver behavior, bell sounds, and DPMS energy features. If you’re new to X or coming from a purely terminal mindset, this tool is one of the first things to tweak for a nicer desktop experience.

Quick start: common tasks

  • Disable the screensaver
xset s off
  • Disable the bell sound
xset b off
  • Set the screensaver to start after 60 minutes of inactivity
xset s 3600 3600
  • Disable DPMS (Energy Star) features
xset -dpms
  • Enable DPMS (Energy Star) features
xset +dpms
  • Query information on any X server (example shows a specific display)
xset -display :0 q

Note: The display value (:0, :1, etc.) depends on your system. If you don’t specify a display, xset uses the current X session.

How to use xset effectively

  • Persisting settings: xset changes are runtime-only. If you reboot or log out, you may lose settings unless your session manager or startup scripts reapply them. Consider placing commands in your X startup script or desktop environment autostart.

  • When to tinker with DPMS: DPMS controls power-saving features for monitors. Disabling DPMS can keep the monitor on, but may waste energy. If you’re on a laptop, enabling DPMS helps save battery.

  • Screensaver vs. blanking: The s parameter controls both the timeout and the blanking behavior. The examples use s 3600 3600, which means 3600 seconds for the timeout and 3600 seconds for the stalled blanking interval. If you only pass one value (e.g., xset s 0), you’re adjusting only the timeout or turning it off depending on syntax.

Common pitfalls

  • No X server running: If you run xset from a non-X terminal, you’ll get an error because there’s no X server to talk to. Make sure you’re in an X session or set a display:
export DISPLAY=:0
xset -q

  • Permissions and multi-user environments: Some xset settings are per-user. Other users may have their own X server instance. Avoid assuming a global effect.

  • Different desktop environments may override: Some environments restore settings on startup or per-session. If you’re not seeing changes persist, check startup applications or session settings.

Quick reference cheat sheet

  • Disable screensaver: xset s off
  • Disable beep on timeout: xset -b or xset b off
  • Set screensaver timeout to 1 hour: xset s 3600 3600
  • Disable DPMS: xset -dpms
  • Enable DPMS: xset +dpms
  • Query X server info: xset q or xset -display :0 q

When to consult the manual

If you need fine-grained control or see unexpected behavior, consult the man page or online docs:

In practice, start with a few simple changes, verify they work in your session, and then decide if you want to automate them on startup for a smoother daily experience.

See Also