This is my first post in KDE forums. I installed kubuntu-desktop after using Ubuntu for a couple of years, and have now used it for a month. I am happy about this change. This would be Kubuntu 14.04, KDE version 4. something.

The issue I started having two days ago is very strange. I am not able to change the keyboard input from English to Spanish, not with the shortcut and not through the panel icon. I read something about IBus and tried doing some changes, but couldn't fix it. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell you what I did because I'm still not very familiar with the system.

The second issue I found today, seems to be related to the other while not the same. I couldn't change the system volume, not with the keyboard and there's no icon in the panel. I can only change it from the volume control in the application

If anyone can point me in the right direction to fix this, or tell me commands to give you more information about my system, I will appreciate it.
Best regards, Diego

For volume controls, can you please make sure that KMix is running on your system? It should provide an icon in the system tray when running (although it is quite possible it may have been hidden - please check the hidden icons area).

Not sure why you can't change keyboard layout though - is there anything you've changed recently on your computer?