InDesign unpinnable context bar

Forum|Forum|9 months ago
January 2, 2026
11 replies
303 views

Every time I open InDesign, I find the context bar in the center of the screen. Even when I use the 'unpin' command, I move the context bar where I want it, and "pin" it. However, the bar keeps returning to the center, and the 'pin context bar' command doesn't seem to work.

Screenshot attached.

Bug

Correct answer nik.m

Thanks for the additional information @MTSBob!

This is a known issue with dual monitors, and the product team is working on a fix. For now, resetting the workspace temporarily fixes the behavior.

Please stay tuned. We appreciate your patience!

Thanks,
Nikunj

M

MTSBob

Known Participant

Have similar issue. The context bar cannot be unpinned from the top control panel bar on Windows. Running version 21.5.1 x64. It can only be dragged horizontally along the bottom of the control panel. The “unpin” menu action has no effect. Attempting to use the grab-handle on the left only moves it horizontally.

nik.m

Community Manager

Hi @MTSBob, thanks for reaching out! We're sorry about the trouble. Are you using a dual monitor setup?

Thanks,

Nikunj

M

MTSBob

Known Participant

Yes, indeed I am using dual monitor setup. Somehow after “resetting the workspace”, hiding/showing the context bar, closing/reopening the document, the Context bar spontaneously started floating properly. Regardless, if you have any workaround advice as to how to avoid this state I’d appreciate it. Thank you!

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @Tom ato,

Thanks for the update. To help narrow this down, could you please confirm the exact InDesign version and your Windows OS version? Also, please let me know if you're seeing this behavior while using a custom workspace. If so, try switching to a different workspace and check whether the Context Bar still jumps back to the center.

If the issue persists, please try resetting the workspace and then testing again. You can follow the steps outlined here: https://adobe.ly/3Nb6kpB.

Let me know how it goes and share your observations.

Abhishek

T

Tom atoAuthor

Participant

Hi Abhishek,

This is happening on both the 20.5.1 x64 and 21.0.2 x64 ID versions.

I'm using:

I'm using:
- Win 10 Pro 64 bit 22H2 (build SO 19045.6466). 16 GB RAM
- a desktop PC

- a USB cable Logitech mouse.

- two identical monitors Philips 27" 27M1N5500ZA/00. On the first one, I use InDesign, on the second one Word/Bridge

See attached screenshot for more info on my system.

thanks

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @Tom ato,

Thanks for sharing the details. Could you try running InDesign under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and checking if the problem persists?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav