Resolve Signal Desktop Database Error: 5 Proven Fixes

Step 1: Ensure KDE Wallet is Active

To ensure secure handling of your credentials, make sure the KDE Wallet feature is enabled:

1. Open the Settings menu and select System Settings.
2. Navigate to the KDE Wallet options.
3. In Wallet Preferences, verify that Enable the KDE wallet subsystem is checked.

Step 2: Utilize gnome-libsecret Parameter

If you’re still facing issues, you may need to adjust how Signal interacts with the key storage:

1. Open the Terminal.
2. Run the command: flatpak run org.signal. Signal --password-store="gnome-libsecret" .
3. Check if this resolves the database error.

Alternatively, some users have found success with: flatpak override org.signal. Signal --user --env=SIGNAL_PASSWORD_STORE=gnome-libsecret .

Step 3: Modify Signal’s config.json File

You can also directly change the configuration settings:

1. Find and open the file /home/USER_NAME/.config/Signal/config.json .
2. Locate the line with "safeStorageBackend": "kwallet5" .
3. Alter that line to read: "safeStorageBackend": "kwallet6" .
4. Save your changes.

This adjustment has proven effective for users, especially those using Gentoo.

Step 4: Replace EncryptedKey with the Old Key in config.json

For a temporary workaround, you can revert to using the old key:

1. Open the file located at ~/.var/app/org.signal. Signal/config/Signal/config.json .
2. Look for an old key you have saved.
3. Replace encryptedKey with your old key.

Note: This fix may not be permanent, and it’s advisable to keep a backup of your config.json file.

Step 5: Additional Solutions to Consider

If the previous solutions do not work, try these additional steps:

1. Delete Signal’s configuration directory using: rm -r ~/.config/Signal .
2. Uninstall Signal with these commands:
   1. flatpak override org.signal. Signal --user --unset-env=SIGNAL_PASSWORD_STORE .
   2. Terminate the Signal application.
   3. rm -r "$HOME/.var/app/org.signal. Signal" .
   4. Restart Signal.
3. Reinstall Signal through Flatpak:
   1. Check for Signal using: which signal-desktop .
   2. Run: sudo snap remove --purge signal-desktop , followed by sudo dnf install flatpak .
   3. Add the Flathub remote: flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo .
   4. Finally, install Signal using: flatpak install flathub org.signal. Signal .

Use these last-resort options with caution, as reinstalling Signal may result in data loss.

What causes database errors in Signal Desktop on Linux?

Are there any risks involved in reinstalling Signal?