WebKit based applications malfunctioning after 23 Sept 2026 update (Evolution, Insync)

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1

Ubuntu Version

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

Desktop Environment (if applicable)

GNOME

Problem Description

23 Sept pulled in a lot of package upgrades, since then these erratic behaviours began:

  1. Evolution’s rendering of emails is just plain gray space (I believe it uses libwebkit2gtk)
  2. Insync failed to start, with the relevant line in journald: kernel: traps: insync[91187] trap int3 ip:7dfa745f56f1 sp:7ffdff961f60 error:0 in libQt5WebEngineCore.so.5[35f56f1,7dfa71000000+74ea000]

I ruled out the kernel upgrade to 7.0.0-34 by booting into 7.0.0-31, and the problems still persisting. I’m at my wit’s end because none of the packages look like they should be relevant…? If anyone has any pointers I’ll appreciate it a lot.

Below are the packages upgraded, I’ve dug them up from /var/log/apt/history.log

  • libpolkit-agent-1-0:amd64 (127-2ubuntu1, 127-2ubuntu1.1)
  • netplan-generator:amd64 (1.2-1ubuntu5, 1.2-1ubuntu5.1)
  • libglib2.0-dev-bin:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • ovmf:amd64 (2025.11-3ubuntu7, 2025.11-3ubuntu7.2)
  • docker-ce-cli:amd64 (5:29.8.0-1~ubuntu.26.04~resolute, 5:29.8.1-1~ubuntu.26.04~resolute)
  • ovmf-amdsev:amd64 (2025.11-3ubuntu7, 2025.11-3ubuntu7.2)
  • bubblewrap:amd64 (0.11.1-1ubuntu0.1, 0.11.1-1ubuntu0.3)
  • ovmf-generic:amd64 (2025.11-3ubuntu7, 2025.11-3ubuntu7.2)
  • mutter-common-bin:amd64 (50.1-0ubuntu2.2, 50.1-0ubuntu2.4)
  • google-chrome-stable:amd64 (153.0.8010.36-1, 153.0.8010.52-1)
  • libglib2.0-bin:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • polkitd:amd64 (127-2ubuntu1, 127-2ubuntu1.1)
  • libxml2-dev:amd64 (2.15.2+dfsg-0.1ubuntu0.1, 2.15.2+dfsg-0.1ubuntu0.2)
  • libglib2.0-dev:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • libxml2-utils:amd64 (2.15.2+dfsg-0.1ubuntu0.1, 2.15.2+dfsg-0.1ubuntu0.2)
  • lxc:amd64 (1:6.0.6-1, 1:6.0.6-1ubuntu1)
  • gstreamer1.0-gl:amd64 (1.28.2-1, 1.28.2-1ubuntu0.1)
  • libpipewire-0.3-common:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • pipewire-pulse:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • libspa-0.2-libcamera:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • libaom3:amd64 (3.13.1-2, 3.13.1-2ubuntu0.1)
  • libaom3:i386 (3.13.1-2, 3.13.1-2ubuntu0.1)
  • libheif1:amd64 (1.21.2-3ubuntu0.4, 1.21.2-3ubuntu0.5)
  • gir1.2-glib-2.0:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • libmalcontent-0-0:amd64 (0.14.0-0ubuntu1.1, 0.14.0-0ubuntu1.2)
  • libheif-plugin-libde265:amd64 (1.21.2-3ubuntu0.4, 1.21.2-3ubuntu0.5)
  • libexpat1:amd64 (2.7.4-1, 2.7.4-1ubuntu0.1)
  • libexpat1:i386 (2.7.4-1, 2.7.4-1ubuntu0.1)
  • bluez-cups:amd64 (5.85-4ubuntu0.1, 5.85-4ubuntu0.2)
  • python3-netplan:amd64 (1.2-1ubuntu5, 1.2-1ubuntu5.1)
  • heif-thumbnailer:amd64 (1.21.2-3ubuntu0.4, 1.21.2-3ubuntu0.5)
  • girepository-tools:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • libgs10-common:amd64 (10.06.0~dfsg-3ubuntu1, 10.06.0~dfsg-3ubuntu1.1)
  • bluez-obexd:amd64 (5.85-4ubuntu0.1, 5.85-4ubuntu0.2)
  • libxml2-16:amd64 (2.15.2+dfsg-0.1ubuntu0.1, 2.15.2+dfsg-0.1ubuntu0.2)
  • libxml2-16:i386 (2.15.2+dfsg-0.1ubuntu0.1, 2.15.2+dfsg-0.1ubuntu0.2)
  • liblxc-common:amd64 (1:6.0.6-1, 1:6.0.6-1ubuntu1)
  • libmutter-18-0:amd64 (50.1-0ubuntu2.2, 50.1-0ubuntu2.4)
  • libgs10:amd64 (10.06.0~dfsg-3ubuntu1, 10.06.0~dfsg-3ubuntu1.1)
  • libgstreamer-gl1.0-0:amd64 (1.28.2-1, 1.28.2-1ubuntu0.1)
  • libspa-0.2-modules-extra:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • pipewire:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • dracut:amd64 (110-11, 110-11ubuntu0.1)
  • dracut-core:amd64 (110-11, 110-11ubuntu0.1)
  • dracut-install:amd64 (110-11, 110-11ubuntu0.1)
  • gstreamer1.0-plugins-base-apps:amd64 (1.28.2-1, 1.28.2-1ubuntu0.1)
  • mutter-common:amd64 (50.1-0ubuntu2.2, 50.1-0ubuntu2.4)
  • libglib2.0-data:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • gstreamer1.0-alsa:amd64 (1.28.2-1, 1.28.2-1ubuntu0.1)
  • gir1.2-gst-plugins-base-1.0:amd64 (1.28.2-1, 1.28.2-1ubuntu0.1)
  • libgio-2.0-dev-bin:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • libheif-plugin-aomdec:amd64 (1.21.2-3ubuntu0.4, 1.21.2-3ubuntu0.5)
  • docker-ce:amd64 (5:29.8.0-1~ubuntu.26.04~resolute, 5:29.8.1-1~ubuntu.26.04~resolute)
  • libheif-plugin-aomenc:amd64 (1.21.2-3ubuntu0.4, 1.21.2-3ubuntu0.5)
  • ghostscript:amd64 (10.06.0~dfsg-3ubuntu1, 10.06.0~dfsg-3ubuntu1.1)
  • gir1.2-girepository-3.0:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • gstreamer1.0-x:amd64 (1.28.2-1, 1.28.2-1ubuntu0.1)
  • libgirepository-2.0-0:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • gir1.2-glib-2.0-dev:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • libspa-0.2-bluetooth:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • gstreamer1.0-gtk3:amd64 (1.28.2-2ubuntu0.1, 1.28.2-2ubuntu0.3)
  • libgio-2.0-dev:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • gstreamer1.0-plugins-good:amd64 (1.28.2-2ubuntu0.1, 1.28.2-2ubuntu0.3)
  • gstreamer1.0-plugins-base:amd64 (1.28.2-1, 1.28.2-1ubuntu0.1)
  • gir1.2-mutter-18:amd64 (50.1-0ubuntu2.2, 50.1-0ubuntu2.4)
  • libsqlite3-dev:amd64 (3.46.1-9ubuntu0.2, 3.46.1-9ubuntu0.3)
  • docker-ce-rootless-extras:amd64 (5:29.8.0-1~ubuntu.26.04~resolute, 5:29.8.1-1~ubuntu.26.04~resolute)
  • gstreamer1.0-pipewire:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • libmalcontent-common:amd64 (0.14.0-0ubuntu1.1, 0.14.0-0ubuntu1.2)
  • rsyslog:amd64 (8.2512.0-1ubuntu4.1, 8.2512.0-1ubuntu4.2)
  • libpolkit-gobject-1-0:amd64 (127-2ubuntu1, 127-2ubuntu1.1)
  • gir1.2-polkit-1.0:amd64 (127-2ubuntu1, 127-2ubuntu1.1)
  • libsqlite3-0:amd64 (3.46.1-9ubuntu0.2, 3.46.1-9ubuntu0.3)
  • libbluetooth-dev:amd64 (5.85-4ubuntu0.1, 5.85-4ubuntu0.2)
  • pipewire-audio:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • pipewire-bin:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • libbluetooth3:amd64 (5.85-4ubuntu0.1, 5.85-4ubuntu0.2)
  • libpam-cgfs:amd64 (1:6.0.6-1, 1:6.0.6-1ubuntu1)
  • libspa-0.2-modules:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • sudo:amd64 (1.9.17p2-1ubuntu3, 1.9.17p2-1ubuntu3.1)
  • pkexec:amd64 (127-2ubuntu1, 127-2ubuntu1.1)
  • netplan.io:amd64 (1.2-1ubuntu5, 1.2-1ubuntu5.1)
  • libpipewire-0.3-0t64:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • code:amd64 (1.137.0-1788902055, 1.138.0-1789458761)
  • ovmf-inteltdx:amd64 (2025.11-3ubuntu7, 2025.11-3ubuntu7.2)
  • bluez:amd64 (5.85-4ubuntu0.1, 5.85-4ubuntu0.2)
  • libexpat1-dev:amd64 (2.7.4-1, 2.7.4-1ubuntu0.1)
  • thermald:amd64 (2.5.11-0ubuntu1, 2.5.11-0ubuntu1.1)
  • heif-gdk-pixbuf:amd64 (1.21.2-3ubuntu0.4, 1.21.2-3ubuntu0.5)
  • libpipewire-0.3-modules:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • libgs-common:amd64 (10.06.0~dfsg-3ubuntu1, 10.06.0~dfsg-3ubuntu1.1)
  • python3-cryptography:amd64 (46.0.5-1ubuntu2, 46.0.5-1ubuntu2.2)
  • libgstreamer-plugins-base1.0-0:amd64 (1.28.2-1, 1.28.2-1ubuntu0.1)
  • liblxc1t64:amd64 (1:6.0.6-1, 1:6.0.6-1ubuntu1)
  • libnetplan1:amd64 (1.2-1ubuntu5, 1.2-1ubuntu5.1)
  • python3-libxml2:amd64 (2.15.2+dfsg-0.1ubuntu0.1, 2.15.2+dfsg-0.1ubuntu0.2)
  • pipewire-alsa:amd64 (1.6.2-1ubuntu1.1, 1.6.2-1ubuntu1.2)
  • libglib2.0-0t64:amd64 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)
  • libglib2.0-0t64:i386 (2.88.0-1, 2.88.0-1ubuntu0.1)

And also:

  • linux-generic-hwe-24.04:amd64 (7.0.0-31.31, 7.0.0-34.34
  • linux-image-generic-hwe-26.04:amd64 (7.0.0-31.31, 7.0.0-34.34
  • linux-tools-common:amd64 (7.0.0-31.31, 7.0.0-34.34
  • linux-headers-generic:amd64 (7.0.0-31.31, 7.0.0-34.34
  • google-chrome-stable:amd64 (153.0.8010.52-1, 154.0.8037.57-1
  • linux-perf:amd64 (7.0.0-31.31, 7.0.0-34.34
  • network-manager-config-connectivity-ubuntu:amd64 (1.54.3-2ubuntu3, 1.54.3-2ubuntu3.1
  • linux-headers-generic-hwe-26.04:amd64 (7.0.0-31.31, 7.0.0-34.34
  • linux-generic-hwe-26.04:amd64 (7.0.0-31.31, 7.0.0-34.34
  • linux-generic:amd64 (7.0.0-31.31, 7.0.0-34.34
  • gir1.2-nm-1.0:amd64 (1.54.3-2ubuntu3, 1.54.3-2ubuntu3.1
  • network-manager:amd64 (1.54.3-2ubuntu3, 1.54.3-2ubuntu3.1
  • network-manager-l10n:amd64 (1.54.3-2ubuntu3, 1.54.3-2ubuntu3.1
  • linux-image-generic:amd64 (7.0.0-31.31, 7.0.0-34.34
  • bpftool:amd64 (7.7.0+7.0.0-31.31, 7.7.0+7.0.0-34.34
  • code:amd64 (1.138.0-1789458761, 1.139.0-1790100840
  • libnm0:i386 (1.54.3-2ubuntu3, 1.54.3-2ubuntu3.1
  • libnm0:amd64 (1.54.3-2ubuntu3, 1.54.3-2ubuntu3.1
  • linux-libc-dev:amd64 (7.0.0-31.31, 7.0.0-34.34)
2

Just for the sake of testing, I’ve installed epiphany-browser (called “Gnome Web” these days), because that’s another webkit application.

Loading any web page will result in a “Page Unresponsive: The current page $URL is not responding” modal error dialog.

3

Even stranger: I’ve just tested on another computer, similarly upgraded all packages, and the problem isn’t surfacing :laughing:

There are some held-off packages on this functioning machine, but it’s still a head-scratcher:

Not upgrading yet due to phasing:
  gir1.2-nautilus-4.1            libnautilus-extension4  nautilus-data                rust-coreutils              software-properties-gtk  ubuntu-desktop-minimal     ubuntu-minimal   xserver-common     xserver-xorg-dev
  gnome-shell-ubuntu-extensions  nautilus                python3-software-properties  software-properties-common  ubuntu-desktop           ubuntu-kernel-accessories  ubuntu-standard  xserver-xorg-core


nautilus:
  Installed: 1:50.2.2-0ubuntu0.1
  Candidate: 1:50.2.2-0ubuntu0.2
  Version table:
     1:50.2.2-0ubuntu0.2 500 (phased 10%)
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute-updates/main amd64 Packages
 *** 1:50.2.2-0ubuntu0.1 100
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1:50.0-0ubuntu2 500
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/main amd64 Packages
nautilus-data:
  Installed: 1:50.2.2-0ubuntu0.1
  Candidate: 1:50.2.2-0ubuntu0.2
  Version table:
     1:50.2.2-0ubuntu0.2 500 (phased 10%)
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute-updates/main i386 Packages
 *** 1:50.2.2-0ubuntu0.1 100
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1:50.0-0ubuntu2 500
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/main i386 Packages
ubuntu-desktop:
  Installed: 1.570.3
  Candidate: 1.570.4
  Version table:
     1.570.4 500 (phased 10%)
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute-updates/main amd64 Packages
 *** 1.570.3 100
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1.570 500
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/main amd64 Packages
software-properties-common:
  Installed: 0.120
  Candidate: 0.120.1
  Version table:
     0.120.1 500 (phased 0%)
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute-updates/main i386 Packages
 *** 0.120 500
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/main i386 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
rust-coreutils:
  Installed: 0.8.0-0ubuntu3
  Candidate: 0.10.0-1ubuntu2~26.04.1
  Version table:
     0.10.0-1ubuntu2~26.04.1 500 (phased 45%)
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute-updates/main amd64 Packages
 *** 0.8.0-0ubuntu3 500
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
xserver-common:
  Installed: 2:21.1.22-1ubuntu1
  Candidate: 2:21.1.22-1ubuntu1.2
  Version table:
     2:21.1.22-1ubuntu1.2 500 (phased 20%)
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute-updates/main i386 Packages
 *** 2:21.1.22-1ubuntu1 500
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/main i386 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
xserver-xorg-core:
  Installed: 2:21.1.22-1ubuntu1
  Candidate: 2:21.1.22-1ubuntu1.2
  Version table:
     2:21.1.22-1ubuntu1.2 500 (phased 20%)
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute-updates/main amd64 Packages
 *** 2:21.1.22-1ubuntu1 500
        500 http://hk.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

I don’t think there are anything substantially different between these two machines except that the working one has an Nvidia GPU and the non-working one is AMD. The rest really should pose no meaningful difference (same Zsh config, etc.) And none should trigger that kernel trap with libQt5WebEngineCore anyway!

4

Exactly the same problem on 24.04 subsequent to upgrades this afternoon.

5

if you make a fresh user and login as that user, is it the same there?

6

Tested, issue does not exist with a new user profile.

1 Like
7

Following a hint on a similar bug report on the Insync forums, where the user said it’s Chrome corrupting the font cache, I’ve decided to run fc-cache -fv.

First run failed, second run succeeded, after which all the WebKit/WebEngine stuff started working again!

I have no idea if it’s Chrome corrupting the cache on my end, but I’m happy it’s working now. And I have no idea why a corrupt font cache would cause such inexplicable behaviour in WebKit/WebEngine stuff. Shouldn’t invalid caches trigger an automatic regeneration?

@bwucie See if it works for you? fc-cache -fv

8

And based on this hint, I just found this on the Kubuntu subreddit, it seems a recent Chrome version is causing mayhem especially affecting KDE users (though I’m on Gnome so perhaps it’s only Evolution that is affected here): https://www.reddit.com/r/Kubuntu/comments/1wo84kz/how_to_fix_crashes_when_googlechrome_corrupts/

9

Then it sounds like your profile or settings rather than an actual application issue if a new profile on the same system is ok

10

See #7 above, it seems it’s Chrome corrupting fontconfig cache.

11

This is now happening when using any Chromium-based browser.

Here’s the fix:

  • rm -rf ~/.cache/fontconfig and reboot, this should get your system working again.
  • Then after launching your browser, pop open your terminal and run rm -rf ~/.cache/fontconfig again to erase the corrupt data before it can mess anything else up (and then close the terminal window you just opened since it will have the corrupt data loaded in potentially and could crash at any time).

Thanks to @arraybolt3 for the fix. This is from a pinned message in the Ubuntu Studio Matrix room, originally posted to the Kubuntu Support Matrix room. However, now that it’s affecting more than the KDE Plasma desktop and is affecting any app using Webkit, this is your best solution.

3 Likes
12

Evolution, Epiphany, and Insync all failing after the 23 Sept upgrade points at a library WebKitGTK and Qt WebEngine both load. Run sudo journalctl -k -b | grep -i apparmor right after starting Evolution and look for DENIED lines. Then launch it once with WEBKIT_DISABLE_SANDBOX_THIS_IS_DANGEROUS=1 evolution and once with WEBKIT_DISABLE_DMABUF_RENDERER=1 evolution to see whether the sandbox or the GPU path is failing. If neither changes anything, run apt list --installed 'libglib2.0*' and downgrade every package it shows to 2.88.0-1 in a single sudo apt install command.

I used an AI assistant to help draft this, and I’ve tested the commands above.

13

It certainly does, and I am most grateful. And yes, I use a Chrome-based browser, Brave.

14

Thank you, suddenly found grey e-mail bodies and the first command was the solution to my problem without even requiring to reboot, just by restarting Evolution after executing the command. :smiley:

1 Like