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Fix: CTRL + S Freezes Putty

Summary: How to fix the behavior on linux with putty that pressing 'CTRL' + 'S' seems to freeze the box.
Date: Around 2015
Refactor: 9 January 2025: Checked links and formatting.

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Whenever I press CTRL+S in putty the terminal seems to freeze. It's actually not, but it doesn't show anything. That is because CTRL+S initiates the XOFF command, which means it accepts keystrokes but doesn't show it. There are two fixes:

Fix One - Temporary

Press CTRL+Q to initiate the XON command. Anything you pressed will be shown.

Fix Two - Permanent

Add this line to your .bashrc file: 

stty ixany

Now, when you hit CTRL+S the XOFF gets initiated but any character will start XON.