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Reset a GNOME setting to default (dconf)

Fix a misbehaving GNOME preference by resetting its dconf key — or a whole settings folder — to factory defaults.

LinuxgnometroubleshootingdconfsettingsMedium risk
Run dconf reset -f followed by the settings path, e.g. the wallpaper folder above, to wipe custom values and restore defaults.

01Command

Command
$ dconf reset -f /org/gnome/desktop/background/

02What it does

GNOME stores every desktop preference in the dconf database under /org/gnome/. When a tweak tool or experiment leaves a setting in a broken state, gsettings set it back or dconf reset removes the override so the default applies again. The -f flag recursively resets every key under the given path, which is handy when you are not sure which exact key is wrong.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk
RequirementsGNOME desktop with dconf-cli installed (gsettings works without it for most keys).
!Warning: With -f the whole path is reset, not just one key — point it at the narrowest folder you can. Use dconf dump /org/gnome/desktop/ first to back up current values; drop paths are case-sensitive and must end with a slash.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • dconf(1) - dconf command line utility
    Ubuntu Manpages · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: dconf reset [-f] PATH resets a key or, with -f, recursively resets an entire directory path to defaults.
  • GNOME - ArchWiki
    Arch Wiki · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: GNOME stores desktop configuration in dconf under /org/gnome/; gsettings/dconf are the documented ways to inspect and reset these settings.

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: System & Settings

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