I've had the same problem. The workarounds from http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=201569 solved it for me.
** Bug watch added: KDE Bug Tracking System #201569 http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=201569 -- Can't reboot and shutdown Kubuntu KDE 4.2.98 and 4.3.00 https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/405522 You received this bug notification because you are a member of Kubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to kubuntu-meta in ubuntu. -- kubuntu-bugs mailing list kubuntu-b...@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/kubuntu-bugs