KBD_MODE(1) User Commands KBD_MODE(1)

NAME

kbd_mode - change the keyboard translation mode

SYNOPSIS

kbd_mode -a | -e | -n | -u

DESCRIPTION

kbd_mode sets the translation mode of the console's keyboard
(/dev/kbd) to one of the four values defined for the KIOCTRANS
ioctl() in kb(4M). This is useful when a program that resets the
translation mode terminates abnormally and fails to restore the
original translation mode.

Note that the text console desires ASCII characters (kbd_mode -a),
while Xorg(1) desires untranslated events (kbd_mode -u).

OPTIONS

-a ASCII: the keyboard will generate simple ASCII characters.

-e Events: the keyboard will generate firm_events with ASCII
characters in the value field.

-n None: the keyboard will generate unencoded bytes - a distinct
value for up and down on each switch on the keyboard.

-u Unencoded: the keyboard will generate input events with
unencoded bytes in the value field such as those desired by
the X server.

FILES

/dev/kbd

SEE ALSO

kbd(1), Xorg(1), kb(4M)

April 1, 2025 KBD_MODE(1)