How to restart kwin when it is hung?
As described in the official Kwin documentation, a good way to go would be to try this either on a running terminal application or on a virtual console (i.e.: Ctrl+Alt+F1), :
DISPLAY=:0 kwin --replace
Similar to Robin Green's answer, but this does not require a terminal window to be open already. Instead, specify the display in which to start kwin from tty1. Hence,
Press Ctrl+Alt+F1 to access a terminal. Log in.
Type killall kwin
. Then, type in DISPLAY=:0 kwin
.
Press Ctrl+Alt+F7 to change back to your primary display.
Press Ctrl+Alt+F1. Log in. Type killall kwin
.
Press Ctrl+Alt+F7.
Quit all open applications until a terminal becomes visible. Hover the mouse over the terminal application. Type kwin &
.
What's that, no terminal application open? Tough - you'll just have to reboot.