[Bug 2016918] [NEW] Firefox snap opens a black window on wayland

[Gunnar Hjalmarsson]

Public bug reported:

This may actually be a duplicate of bug #1987976, but I was advised to
file a new bug to get attention to this issue for the 23.04 release and
consider a possible workaround.

https://irclogs.ubuntu.com/2023/04/18/%23ubuntu-desktop.html#t17:42

In short: On a fresh 23.04 install, the first time in each wayland
session I try to launch Firefox via the icon in the dock, it just opens
a black window. I can close Firefox, and try again, and then it opens as
expected.

I'd better mention that I have a NVIDIA card, but the issue is present
both with the NVIDIA and the Nouveau driver.

While it might be some kind of race condition (not everyone is
affected), in my case it happens every time.

I have a proposed workaround: use the xrefresh command. That could for
instance be done with this file:

$ cat /etc/xdg/autostart/firefox-snap-launch-xwayland.desktop
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Launch Xwayland on startup of wayland session
Comment=This allows to start the Firefox snap from the dock without a black window
Type=Application
Exec=sh -c 'if [ "$XDG_SESSION_TYPE" = "wayland" ]; then xrefresh; fi'
TryExec=xrefresh
OnlyShowIn=GNOME;
NoDisplay=true

That idea isn't new. We have shipped a similar file (for a similar
reason) with ibus-mozc for a few cycles:

https://salsa.debian.org/debian/mozc/-/commit/4e48b655

** Affects: firefox (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

** Affects: mutter (Ubuntu)
     Importance: High
         Status: New

** Also affects: firefox (Ubuntu)
   Importance: Undecided
       Status: New

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Title:
  Firefox snap opens a black window on wayland

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