Cannot move objects with Mouse on Other Monitors/Tablet, but works when ID is on Laptop screen.

[DonDimanlig]

Hi, this is my first post here

I have seen many posts about this issue dating back 10+ years, and they all talked about reinstalling, restarting, deleting preferences, deleting cache. I tried most of those today, except reinstalling 

here's the short of it:
I CANNOT move objects (shapes, images, or even rearrange pages) with a MOUSE/TABLET on InDesign. 

It happened suddenly today. I thought I pressed a button like Lock/Alt/Insert by accident by even unplugging keyboard doesnt help

here's a history to make it clearer

1. SETUP
I work with a Laptop + 2 monitors + 1 XP Pen graphics tablet. I have been using this setup for 4 months with no issues. I also take it home and sometimes work with a single screen. or 2 screens. The point is I've swapped around with display setups and I know that could trigger some errors, but this has been unique today. Laptop is connected to Monitor 2 via HDMI. Laptop is connected to Tablet via USB C. Laptop is connected to USB hub via USB C. USB Hub connects to Monitor 3 via HDMI. USB hub connects to mouse and keyboard via USB-As

2. FIRST ERROR
I open my file and noticed I couldnt rearrange PAGES by dragging/dropping them around on the Pages box. It was showing the red slashed circle icon. 

3. FIRST FIX
I tried to [Restart] and it didnt work. I looked it up and someone said [clear preferences file]. with the Ctrl+Shift+Alt on startup. I did. It also didnt work. 

4. EXPANDED PROBLEM
I just noticed now that I can no longer move objects with a mouse. I figured its why I couldnt move the pages too. I tried with a keyboard and I CAN shift objects around using the arrow keys. I did the restart/delete preferences file, and even did the renaming and recreating the cache folder (AppData/local / roaming) stuff. didnt help

5. NARROWING DOWN
I dont know why but i tried to move InDesign Window TO my main laptop (also my Main display). On the laptop, mouse moving WORKS perfectly. I drag InDesign back to monitor 2 or 3 or Tablet and the problem comes back, Red Slashed Circle Icon as I attempt to drag. 

6. HARDWARE CHECK
I unplugged my external keyboard to test and it didnt help. I unplugged mouse and tried a different mouse and it didnt help. 

7. TABLET CONFLICT?
I unplugged the XP pen Tablet and suddenly I CAN move stuff again, on Laptop and Monitor 2 and 3. 
however, now on the laptop screen, it drags with a scale/resolution Issue. (like dragging is scaled, as if I need to pull a foot on my mouse in order to pull the object an inch on screen) 

8. WORKS BUT...
This is a problem because even tho I can just go back to just using laptop today, I eventually need to go back to full productivity and use my tablet and other screens.

9. NEXT STEPS
i just wanted to write it all down before I forget. But heres what Im trying next
9A. using a different workstation (maybe new usb hubs/monitors will trigger something) even tho Its been fine for months
9B. Ill still need to try reinstalling InDesign (I just didnt wanna bother IT guys at work yet before I try everything else first)
9C. I need to check whats wrong with the Tablet 
9D. Im gonna try swapping my "use this as my Main Display" setting first
(I tried to change Main Display to Monitor 2 and it ddidnt help)


thank you for your help

I hope I can come back and edit this so I can check my steps

[Mike Witherell]

Some are reporting that a Windows 11 patch from around January 30 thru February 1 is causing a similar problem.

The solution is to roll back that Windows 11 24H2 patch.

Otherwise, here is a compendium of troubleshooting advice.

[DonDimanlig]

ah It's a common recent Issue? Okay. I will let IT know cause I need them for any rollbacks. Thank you!

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @DonDimanlig,

Thank you for sharing the detailed explanation of your setup! As Mike suggested, I have seen similar reports about this. 

To get started, could you please share the following details:

1. Version of InDesign being used. 

2. Operating System: Are you using Windows 11?

If you are using Windows 11, please check if you have recently updated your system. Specifically, look for the Microsoft cumulative update KB5050094 in your system updates:

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.

2. Go to Windows Update > Update History.

3. Check if the update KB5050094 is installed.

If it is, please try uninstalling it and let us know if this resolves the issue:

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > View Installed Updates.

2. Find the update KB5050094, select it, and click Uninstall.

Additionally, I recommend setting your external monitors to have similar scaling and resolution values to see if this makes a difference:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.

2. Adjust the scaling and resolution of your external monitors to match each other.

3. Restart InDesign and check if the issue persists.

Please let us know how it goes after trying these steps. If the issue persists, feel free to share any additional observations, and we’ll continue to investigate!

Looking forward to your update.

^

Abhishek

[DonDimanlig]

hi Abhishek
1. Adobe InDesign Creative Cloud, version 19.5.2 x64
2. Windows 11 Pro, version 24HC, OS build 26100.3037
3.3 I checked Windows Update history and I couldnt find the KB5050094 installed anywhere. (latest I see here is KB5050577) installed on 2025-01-30

Note: NVidia drivers and Windows drivers recently updated by our IT between posting and seeing these replies. 
but we havent looked at the above items specifically

Note 2: I also recently found that same fix, matching the Display Scaling. the external monitors are at 100% and the laptop is at 250%. Setting the laptop to 100 makes everything very tiny, but it FIXES the problem and the objects become movable on the other monitors. but again, this is a temporary fix because the laptop becomes illegible at that scale. 

Other user above, Mike Witherell, mentioned a Windows 11 version 24H2 update that should be rolled back.
I have it installed on 2024-12-24. But it has been working daily and it was fine until today. 

Anyway, I'll keep messing with display scaling. 
and then rollbacks

also additional note:
I tried on a different set of monitors and far away from the drawing tablet and the problem persisted. so it's not just the tablet causing this. 

ANywya thanks, I'll keep looking

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@DonDimanlig 

Others report that just REPAIR is enough - no need to uninstall.

[simonv18697164]

I am having the exact same issue. If I have my monitors set to the same scaling everything is fine, but either one monitor is too big or the other is too small. Would love to know if you get to the bottom of it and find a better fix! 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

What is the:

• resolution,
• physical size (diagonally), and
• scale

of each monitor?

[simonv18697164]

Monitor 1: Laptop (main) Monitor
Resolution: 2880 x 1800

Physical Size: 13.3"

Scale: 250% (marked as recommended in Win 11)

Monitor 2: 2nd display

Resolution: 2560 x 1600

Physical Size: 30"

Scale: 100% (marked as recommended in Win 11)

It has been absolutely fine with these settings until andomly today nothing will move on the 2nd monitor. It will move on the laptop monitor at theses settings. Also it is only when using the Selction tool (V). If I use direct Selection (A) I can move anchors around and if I useFree Transform (E) I can move stuff.

I am baffled! 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Check your Windows updates (NOT the 24H2 but the one that begins with KB). Try rolling back to Dec. update. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@simonv18697164 

Not exactly related:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/exported-pdf-from-indesign-it-is-dimensionally-l...

[Zara38913489j2x7]

Hi Abhishek,

I ran into the same problem, and I found that my Window 11 already updated and installed the KB5050094. However, when I want to uninstall that update, Window do not have the option to uninstalled the KB5050094.

So do you have any other way to solve this problem? Thank you very much!

[meme_8888]

Hi Zara, try first the E (keyboard) of the Free transform. It works for me for now. The uninstall didn't work.

If you stil want to uninstall, you have to uninstall first the latest Window update KB5051987 (=security update!!!) , than you can uninstall the KB2020094, because it is a cumulative update. Succes!

[Mike Witherell]

You have to scroll way down that Windows 11 dialog box page to find the uninstall of that patch.

[simonv18697164]

I have solved it on my comuter at least. I uninstalled updated KB5051987 then restarted my machine. It than automatically ran another update and it looks like the issue is fixed. A couple of caveats:

1)  I have literally just fired up InDesign and done a quick test to see if it is working. So if there are any other adverse effects in longer use, I'll update here. 
2) Updated KB5051987 is a security update so uninstall at your own risk

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@simonv18697164

Sometimes updates need to be reosuerd - or reinstalled.

[Jason Knoepfel]

I had the exact same issue and this worked on my computer as well. We'll see for how long.

[Zara38913489j2x7]

I ran into the same issue today. Last week, Indesign still worked very well for me, and today it is exactly the same with your problem. Just wanna ask if you did solve the problem? Because this is really stressful for me.

[DonDimanlig]

unfortunately not yet, ive just scaled down my monitors to same sizes (all of them are 1080p now like my tablet) sadly blurry. I've yet the time to get our IT to rollback our stuff cause of the current deadlines. But I want to get back to this soon next weeks. I hope they dont close this thread yet though, 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi everyone,  

Quick update - Windows no longer allows uninstalling KB5050094. Some users have found success by adjusting display settings, using Free Transform (E) instead of Selection (V), or running Windows repair. Please try these and let me know if they help.  

Also, InDesign 20.2 is now fully rolled out. Update and check if the issue persists. Looking forward to your feedback!  

^

Abhishek