Dual Monitors - Programs/Windows Move To Single Screen on Wake

Cadder · 3 Sep 2021 at 10:22

Hi all,

I struggled to find a thread dedicated to solving this but I did read in another thread I'm not the only one who experiences this issue. I am running Windows 10 on my nearly-new PC (see sig).

Quite simply, I use two screens, both MSI G273QF. When I lock the computer and leave it for a short while, the programs move to the primary monitor when I log back in.

This wasn't an issue when I was running two electriQ monitors.

I have tried:
1. Uninstalling all greyed-out monitors on Device Manager
2. Updating monitor drivers manually
3. Adjusted both monitors to the same settings using monitor navigation
4. Checked they are identically set up on GeForce Control Panel

Still no joy. When I log back in to Windows all my programs are shifted to the primary monitor. The secondary monitor shows only a background. I have installed all Windows updates and just can't figure out why it's acting differently now. The only difference I can think of (relevant) software changes since the previous monitors is switching the GeForce drivers from Studio to Gaming.

Armageus · 3 Sep 2021 at 10:27

How are the monitors connected?

chroniclard · 3 Sep 2021 at 10:35

Both my screens are connected via displayport and do not do this, either on W10 or W11. Having a google seems like a few are having this problem!

Cadder · 3 Sep 2021 at 11:08

Armageus said:
How are the monitors connected?

Both DisplayPort.

One in port 1, the other in port 3. The MSI connectors were a bit tight side by side.

GravyMonster · 3 Sep 2021 at 12:02

chroniclard said:
Both my screens are connected via displayport and do not do this, either on W10 or W11. Having a google seems like a few are having this problem!

Triples, but same here.

Perhaps a driver issue?

Cadder · 3 Sep 2021 at 12:07

GravyMonster said:
Triples, but same here.

Perhaps a driver issue?

Updated drivers through Device Manager. Did the automatic method and then manual using downloaded drivers from MSI website.

LizardKing · 3 Sep 2021 at 16:45

I've been seeing this as well and the only fix (loose term!) i've found is to go to the power options and tell it not to turn of the displays after x amount of time.

Cadder · 4 Sep 2021 at 12:21

I've been faffing on with the monitor menu and there doesn't seem to be any options that would affect this. Also tried changing the power setting in Windows to turn off screens after 2 hours. Came back within an hour and the same issue repeats itself.

Quartz · 4 Sep 2021 at 12:35

I have three monitors and do not currently see this.

Go into Device Manager and Under View make sure Show Hidden Devices is enabled and see if you see anything of interest. Does it think the Electriq monitors are still there? Have you installed the drivers (.inf files) for your new monitors?

Does the problem manifest if you disable screen lock but enable sleep? That is, everything should awaken with a nudge of the mouse.

Cadder · 4 Sep 2021 at 14:16

Turn the monitors off and on - everything moves to primary display.
Allow Windows to sleep without locking PC - everything moves to primary display.

Cadder · 4 Sep 2021 at 14:28

The only options left tend to include going into the registry but they all start with "backup first". Not sure I want to risk something that needs a backup restored, or spend the time doing all of that.

Is it easy enough to make a backup and navigate the registry?

Orcvader · 5 Sep 2021 at 13:57

This happens to me but I assumed it was due to using two different DP monitors, with one of them waking quicker than the other. When I had the same monitors since both woke up at the same time I didn't see this issue.

The main cause is due to Window's Rapid Hot Plug Detect: https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-fixes-a-very-annoying-windows-10-application-layout-bug

There is a fix in the 10 insider build but it seems to be pushed for Windows 11 instead.

Seeing as both your monitors are the same, have you made sure any power settings on the monitors themselves match each other?

Cadder · 6 Sep 2021 at 07:58

Update on my issue: Now when I boot the PC, screen 2 (primary display) shows with 800x600 resolution. I have had to unplug and plug in again twice now and I don't know why it would do that.

Cadder · 7 Sep 2021 at 00:02

Clean install of latest Nvidia driver and everything seems OK... Log in after a while of inactivity and everything is where I left it.

Could it be that the drivers associate with the monitors somehow? I last updated drivers with single electriQ monitor plugged in.

Cadder · 7 Aug 2023 at 09:01

This has become an issue again.. when the monitors go into standby/power save mode, all programs move to one screen on wake.

Any dual monitor users here that have the same issue?

Armageus · 7 Aug 2023 at 09:10

Windows 11 is supposed to be better in this regard

Cadder · 7 Aug 2023 at 10:50

Armageus said:
Windows 11 is supposed to be better in this regard

After monitoring the Win11 thread I've been holding off upgrading as it doesn't seem worth it overall. Might have to just go for it then.

Armageus · 7 Aug 2023 at 11:09

Cadder said:
After monitoring the Win11 thread I've been holding off upgrading as it doesn't seem worth it overall. Might have to just go for it then.

You could try FancyZones (part of Windows PowerToys), it might help in restoring apps back to where you want them

PowerToys FancyZones utility for Windows

A window manager utility for arranging and snapping windows into efficient layouts

learn.microsoft.com

Release Release v0.72.0 · microsoft/PowerToys

In the v0.72 release cycle, we focused on stability and improvements. Installer Hashes Description Filename sha256 hash Per user - x64 PowerToysUserSetup-0.72.0-x64.exe 9925894D797458C78A8C3...

github.com

Cadder · 7 Aug 2023 at 12:08

Armageus said:
You could try FancyZones (part of Windows PowerToys), it might help in restoring apps back to where you want them

PowerToys FancyZones utility for Windows

A window manager utility for arranging and snapping windows into efficient layouts

learn.microsoft.com

Release Release v0.72.0 · microsoft/PowerToys

In the v0.72 release cycle, we focused on stability and improvements. Installer Hashes Description Filename sha256 hash Per user - x64 PowerToysUserSetup-0.72.0-x64.exe 9925894D797458C78A8C3...

github.com

I'm using FancyZones but it doesn't stop everything moving to one screen when PC wakes unfortunately.

Orcvader · 7 Aug 2023 at 16:29

There won't be a native fix for W10 since the fix was rolled into W11 instead. A shame since it was actually was planned for 10, only for 11 to be announced and released a short while after https://devblogs.microsoft.com/directx/avoid-unexpected-app-rearrangement/

EDIT: Oh I just noticed this thread was back in 2021... I even replied to it back then

I haven't updated to W11 yet myself, just waiting on the taskbar updates that's due later this year.