Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: Xdmx: Fatal server error, could not open default font 'fixed'

Xdmx fatal server error fixed with correct display settings.

Quick Answer: Check the Xdmx configuration and ensure that the correct display is specified, e.g., startx -- /usr/bin/Xdmx :1 +xinerama -display :0.0 -display localhost:10.0 -norender -noglxproxy

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔍 Why This Happens
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The 'Xdmx: Fatal server error, could not open default font 'fixed'' issue affects users who are trying to use Xdmx on two laptops connected via SSH. This error occurs when the Xdmx server is unable to connect to the primary display and cannot find a suitable font for rendering.

This error can be frustrating for users as it prevents them from using their second screen or monitor effectively. However, by following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your Xdmx setup working correctly.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that the Xdmx server is unable to connect to the primary display. This can happen if the display settings are not configured correctly or if there are issues with the network connection between the two laptops.
  • Another possible cause of this error is that the default font 'fixed' is not available on the system. In this case, the Xdmx server will try to use a different font, but may fail if it cannot find an alternative.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Resolving Xdmx Connection Issues

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Check Display Settings - Ensure that the display settings are configured correctly on both laptops. Make sure that the primary display is set to use the correct resolution and refresh rate.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Verify Network Connection - Check that there are no issues with the network connection between the two laptops. You can do this by running the command `ping` from one laptop to the other to verify connectivity.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Restart Xdmx Server - Try restarting the Xdmx server on both laptops and then try connecting again using SSH.

Resolving Font Issues

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Check Available Fonts - Run the command `fc-list` to check which fonts are available on your system. If 'fixed' is not in the list, you may need to install it using a package manager such as apt-get or yum.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Update Font Configuration - If 'fixed' font is available but not being used, try updating the font configuration by running the command `sudo update-fonts` (for Debian-based systems) or `sudo yum install fontconfig` (for Red Hat-based systems).

💡 Conclusion

To resolve the Xdmx: Fatal server error, could not open default font 'fixed' issue, first check your display settings and network connection. If issues persist, try restarting the Xdmx server or updating the font configuration. By following these steps, you should be able to get your Xdmx setup working correctly and take full advantage of your second screen or monitor.

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