Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Remote xterm terminating with an error event BadAccess

Fixing xterm error on remote server with BadAccess event

Quick Answer: Try setting the X11 display environment variables to ensure compatibility.

The error 'BadAccess' occurs when an application attempts to access a private resource without permission. This issue specifically affects users who are using SSH with the '-x' option and running Xterm applications on remote servers.

This problem can be frustrating as it prevents users from fully utilizing their graphical applications, especially those that rely heavily on keyboard input. In this troubleshooting guide, we will walk you through the steps to resolve this issue.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is due to a lack of access rights to the X server resources. When using SSH with the '-x' option, the user's session is not properly connected to the local X server, resulting in a denied access attempt.
  • An alternative reason could be related to the configuration of the system or the application. However, given that the xconf.d directory is missing, this is unlikely to be the case.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Update and Reconfigure SSH Connection

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Ensure that your SSH connection is properly configured by checking the sshd_config file for any potential issues. Specifically, look for settings related to X11 forwarding.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Update your SSH client to the latest version, as older clients may not support the '-x' option correctly.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Reconfigure your SSH connection using the '-X' option instead of '-x'. This will force the user's session to be properly connected to the local X server.
  4. Step 4: Step 4: Verify that the xterm application is configured correctly by checking its configuration files for any potential issues. Specifically, look for settings related to keyboard input.
  5. Step 5: Step 5: If necessary, update your system and applications to the latest versions, as outdated software may cause compatibility issues with the '-x' option.

Check System Configuration

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Check if there are any group or user-specific configuration files that might be causing the issue. Look for files in the /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ directory.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Verify that the X server is properly configured by checking its log files for any potential errors.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: If necessary, reset the X server configuration to its default settings using the 'xorg-config' tool.

💡 Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'BadAccess' error and fully utilize your graphical applications on remote servers. Remember to test each step thoroughly to ensure that the issue is resolved.

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