Gnome Linux Disable / Turn Off Hardware Beep Sound For Terminal

by Nix Craft on September 6, 2006 · 17 comments· LAST UPDATED June 6, 2009

in Debian / Ubuntu, Linux, RedHat and Friends

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