Can still input text in normal mode with Vim key bindings on KDE

Steps to reproduce

  1. Open page in editing mode
  2. Cursor is a block shape, indicating that it’s in normal mode.
  3. Press “i” to enter insert mode

Did you follow the troubleshooting guide? [Y/N]

Yes

Expected result

Obsidian enters insert mode and no text output is created

Actual result

Obsidian outputs “i” and stays in normal mode

Environment

SYSTEM INFO:
Obsidian version: v1.11.4
Installer version: v1.11.4
Operating system: #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Sun, 11 Jan 2026 17:10:53 +0000 6.18.5-arch1-1
Login status: logged in
Language: en
Catalyst license: none
Insider build toggle: off
Live preview: on
Base theme: adapt to system
Community theme: none
Snippets enabled: 0
Restricted mode: on
RECOMMENDATIONS:
none


Additional information

  • On EndeavourOS (Arch) using the appimage, KDE. Input is iBus.
  • I tested this on my laptop with the same OS, but with Xfce. No issue was found. input is also iBus. I can only assume it is a wayland/KDE issue
  • This also affects other inputs that would normally output a character in insert mode, such as “x” or “o”

there are some known issue with wayland and input methods. see this

If you can’t solve it, you can force obsidian to run under xwayland with the following command switch --ozone-platform=x11

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