In this brief tutorial you can find how to fix Redshift in Linux Mint. This solution fixes several problems like:

  • redshift is loading slowly
  • not working after restart
  • Failed to run Redshift
Trying location provider `geoclue2'...
Using provider `geoclue2'.

The problem is that Redshift is trying to find your location. The location is needed in order to find whether it is a day or a night. One option is to use predefined latitude and longitude.

Solution 1: Setup latitude and longitude on Redshift startup

The first solution is to configure latitude and longitude when Redshift is started. Disadvantage of this method is the need to change the configuration if you move to a new city, country or continent.

In order to set lat and lon in Linux Mint Cinnamon follow next steps:

  • discover your geo location coordinates
  • Main Menu of Linux Mint
  • Startup Applications
  • Find Redshift
  • Edit the command
    • For example: redshift-gtk -l 41.902782:12.496366 -t 6500:3400

In case of missing entry for Redshift you can add one with the following properties:

  • Name - Redshift
  • Command - redshift-gtk -l 41.902782:12.496366 -t 6500:3400
  • Comment - Color temperature adjustment tool

or using the plus sign. Then Choose application and select Redshift.

Note: This is the best working solution for me. And it doesn't depend on the ISP which might lead to a false location.

Solution 2: Change Redshift configuration

The second solution is to edit the default Redshift configuration. This can be done by:

  • Open file - /etc/geoclue/geoclue.conf
    • or use command - sudo nano /etc/geoclue/geoclue.conf
  • Append on the end of the file
[redshift]
allowed=true
system=false
users=

This solution and the next ones might not work in some cases. If this is the case use the first one.

Solution 3: Start Redshift with sudo and reinstall geoclue-2.0

The final solution is to start Redshift as a super user:

sudo redshift

Alternatively you can install the full package geoclue-2.0 by:

sudo apt install --reinstall geoclue-2.0

After restarting Redshift the problem should disappear.

Test if Redshift is working properly

To test if the fix is working you can use:

redshift -v

or try:

redshift -l 41.902782:12.496366 -v

the expected output is:

redshift -l 41.902782:12.496366 -v
Location: 41.90 N, 12.50 E
Temperatures: 5500K at day, 3500K at night
Solar elevations: day above 3.0, night below -6.0
Brightness: 1.00:1.00
Gamma (Daytime): 1.000, 1.000, 1.000
Gamma (Night): 1.000, 1.000, 1.000
Using method `randr'.
Status: Enabled
Period: Night
Color temperature: 6470K
Brightness: 1.00
Color temperature: 6440K
Color temperature: 6410K