InDesign Window Stuck on Second Monitor - Unable to Move or Resize Properly

[defaulth80fkinv2pe3]

This problem just popped up today. I've been using Indesign since 2001, so a long time user and familiar with how it works.

Indesign was updated 18 days ago, so I doubt it was related to anything in the update.

I have two monitors: 43 inch 4k TV and a 23 inch monitor.

The issue is this: I made the indesign window moveable and moved it to the 2nd monitor. Suddenly the window is like glued to the right side and I can't move it back to the left. I can resize the window using the left side of the window left or right, but the right side is absolutely glued to the right and it is so far right that I can't see much of the window.

I changed the display settings of Windows to use only one monitor (the 43 inch), but it's the same issue.

In order to get back to something I can use, I have to restart Indesign and trash the user preferrences (CTRL-ALT-SHIFT). Then if I keep indesign in full screen mode, it works ok, but I can't change to a moveable indesign window or the problem starts all over again. BIG PROBLEM!

I have uninstalled Indesign, restarted the computer, and reinstalled it; but the problem is still there.

Maybe if I reinstall Windows from scratch, this might fix it? As far as I know, my copy of Windows hasn't been updated for some time, so maybe this is a virus problem. I have no idea, but I need to fix it asap. Any ideas?

I've never seen this issue in Indesign before for 23 years.

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[defaulth80fkinv2pe3]

I have an update to this problem. I haven't changed my OS or anything else, although it is possible that InDesign was updated recently.

I have found that if I drag the entire Indesign window to the hard right or the hard left of the monitor display (doesn't matter if it is the first or second monitor, just drag it until you see the ID window show as taking up half the display), from that point, I can RESIZE the window to the dimensions that I want it to be on the display: upper half, right half, left half, bottom half.

I can also move the ID window from one monitor to the other by doing this same thing: drag the entire window to whichever monitor you want it to be one, and force it against one side or the other until it takes up half the display.

IT WON'T WORK on the top or lower half of the display! It only works on the left or right side.

Also, for some reason, once you do this, sometimes the ID window will only take up a quarter of the display; BUT you can still resize it to the dimensions that you desire. Try it and see.

Importantly, I still cannot move the ID window as a floating window! But, this provides a work around for this problem.  I hope this helps others.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @defaulth80fkinv2pe3,

Thank you so much for sharing this detailed update and workaround! I’m glad you’ve found a way to resize and move the InDesign window between monitors, even though the floating window issue still persists. This will certainly be helpful for others facing a similar problem.

To further narrow down the root cause, could you please try the following steps:

1. Test in Safe Mode:
Restart your system in Safe Mode and check if the issue persists. Safe Mode disables non-essential drivers and startup programs, helping us identify if a background process or third-party software is causing the issue. Reference:  https://adobe.ly/4fIoM1m

2. Create a New Admin User Account:
Create a new administrator account on your computer and test the issue while logged into this account. This helps rule out any profile-specific conflicts that might be causing the issue. Reference: https://adobe.ly/40gTzxN

Thank you again for your patience and for helping others with your findings!

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[Nightshde v2]

I have started running into this issue as well, I swear it was working fine last week but when I came into work this morning I started having this issue when it opened on my laptop screen rather than my larger second monitor like it usually does.

It seems to be an issue the Indesign 2025(20+) only, I do not have this issue with any other adobe program and if I install the last 2024 version(19.5.1) it doesn't have the issue. It also doesn't matter if you have a dual screen setup or not as I disconnected my second screen and restarted the computer and it is still having the issue. I have also completely uninstalled Indesign and wiped the preferences before performing a clean install and the issue still persists. Thing is all the interior windows can still be positioned anywhere on the screens, the issue is only with the main program container window.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hey @Nightshde v2,  

This sounds like a hassle. 

Just to confirm, you’re saying the issue happens even when there’s no second monitor connected, right? Like you’re unable to move the main InDesign window on your laptop screen at all? 

First up, what OS and machine are you using? Also, are you running any desktop management software, like Magnet or something similar (if you’re on macOS)? If you are, try disabling or removing it and see if that makes a difference.  

Could you also share a quick screen recording showing how the InDesign window refuses to budge on your laptop screen? That’ll give me a better sense of what’s happening.  

Moreover, I ran some tests on my setup, and it’s working fine here. But let’s dig deeper to figure out what’s going sideways on your end.  

Looking forward to your update!  

Best, 
Abhishek  

[Nightshde v2 · Accepted solution]

Looks like you guys fixed it with the newest update you put out in the last 24hrs as 20.1 no longer has this issue on single screens or dual screens that 20.0 or 20.0.1 had.

But just so you have the information for if this becomes and issue again, I'm on windows 11 with no special desktop management software. I could drag the window to lock into one of the preset setups that windows 11 has but could not drag the window around freely. One of the weirdest things was that If I had it locked to the full screen and tried to drag it to a location it would just jump back to the previous location it was in when it wasn't full screen, but if I pulled it to lock into one of the other positions like split screen and then pulled it out to be a free window it would stay where I initially put the free window but then wouldn't be able to freely move it again. Also all the child windows like properties and such could still be moved around freely without issue. Here is the screen recording I made before applying the 20.1 update this morning: Recording 2025-01-22 092800.mp4

[Joan31479116em8k]

YAY!! the latest update fixed the issue for me too! WooHoo!

[Capvel Martain]

Hello ! have you tried to push Alt/Option key when resizing window ? 

It is the same process than Photoshop layer or Illustrator object transformation : it resize from the center, not only from the corner or side you pick. 

In this case, you might be able to move the opposit side/corner which is unreachable.

An other workaround : try to set to Default your monitor resolution in the system preference : I had some unconsistency between Retina display paired with non-Retina display.

You may have to clic "Advance" setting button and then allow "display resolutions as a list" (my translation from French) to select and try different setting.

Hope it helps, cheers.