Gnome Linux Disable / Turn Off Hardware Beep Sound For Terminal

by Vivek Gite · 11 comments

This beep sound is annoying under Linux, how do I disable it forever under Debian / Fedora / RHEL / Red Hat / Ubuntu Linux?

There are diffrent methods to disable / turn of beep under Linux (turn off terminal beep). Use any one of the following method as per your requirements.

Ubuntu Linux / Gnome Terminal

a) Open Gnome terminal

b) Click on Settings > Preferences > Silence Terminal Bell

Alternatively, Click on General Tab -> General -> Un-Check Terminal bell option

If you are using xterm

Open ~/.xsession file (i.e. /home/you/.xession)
$ cd
$ vi .xession

Append the following line:
xset b off
Save and close the file.

If you are using bash shell

Open you ~/.inputrc file (i.e. /home/you/.inputrc file
$ cd
$ vi .inputrc

Append following line:
set bell-style none

Save and close the file.

If you just want to turn off beep for VIM text editor

Open vim config file ~/.vimrc (i.e. /home/you/.vimrc)
$ cd
$ Vi .vimrc

Append following line
set vb

Save and close the file.

If you are using Ubuntu Linux

a) Click on Applications > Accessories > Terminal
b) Now click on Edit Menu > Current Profile
c) Click on General Tab > General > Remove check box (Terminal bell)

You can also remove the driver, enter:
$ sudo modprobe -r pcspkr
Append the following line to your /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist so that beep remains off after the system reboot:
blacklist pcspkr

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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Red 11.09.07 at 4:43 pm

in KDE konsole: Settings> Bell > None
Thanks.

2 Martin 11.15.07 at 4:09 pm

Great tip. Saved me a lot of headaches hehe

3 Peter 02.01.08 at 11:10 pm

Thank you for this tip to turn off the terminal beep. I used your bash shell suggestion, which worked perfectly after reboot. Thanks again!

4 Bethany 06.25.08 at 2:45 am

I HAVE A CONSTENT BEEPING HOW DO I TURN IT OFF

5 Mehdi 07.22.08 at 11:37 am

thanks dude, it saved me and my Co-workers :)
Cheers mate
Mehdi

6 David 10.06.08 at 8:04 pm

Thanks.

No need to reboot though. Opening a new terminal is sufficient.

David.

7 ted 12.24.08 at 5:37 pm

you have some of the names wrong for files and what you do exactly but it got me on the right track. thanks.

8 nano 05.17.09 at 7:27 pm

simple, clear and very useful
thanks

9 AHAPXUCT 06.17.09 at 11:17 pm

realy THANKS !

10 Alex 06.20.09 at 2:18 am

Great!!!

11 martyn 07.04.09 at 11:48 am

Great man, with every distro install I need to switch of the beep ….
The last section is also applicable for Fedora 11

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