The InDesign Application Frame gets stuck outside the screen area/behind menu bar

[mag-man]

Every so often, since working on my current iMac (2017), my Application Frame in InDesign gets stuck on my second 32" Benq monitor. The top bar area sits just behind the menu bar. Once it's there, it's there. The accessibility to reposition the frame is now not possible. Even switching the Application Bar, the background frame is still stuck and cannot be moved.

Surely, there must be a limit from stopping the Application Frame from running off behind the menu and off the top of the screen, or at least allow an interactive method in a dropdown menu to reset the Application Frame back within the frame of the monitor.

For the moment, the only way I have found to resolve this would be to 'Delete InDesign Preference file' (Shift+Control+Option+Command) on start-up and reapply my personal settings and workspaces.

After resetting, this crucial part of the frame is now visible.

I'm running MacOS Mojave Version 10.14.3, on an iMac 27-inch 4.2Ghz Intel Core i7 running a second 32" Benq screen.
Currently affecting InDesign version 14.0.1 but it also occurred with previous versions too.

[James22443790n8ig]

Was having the same problem however none of the suggestions were working.

So I was thinking it was at the OS level.

~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver*.plist

I moved it to my desktop and added OLD in the filename 

Then restarted the machine and it worked. It seems to me that the external monitor settings got stuck

I hope that this helps

[parkdsng]

I'm having this same problem, I have two screens and have aligned them in the Systems Prefs so they are side-by-side as mag-man suggests then closed and reopened InDesign but it's still off the screen. This solution doesn't work. Mac os 12.2.1

[JimAustin]

I know this is an old post, but the problem persists, and I just found a simple solution; at least it worked in my case. 

First, note that I work with my large external monitor positioned above my laptop screen. I'd guess that this is a pretty common arrangement, and it's inconsistent with the "correct answer" below.

Many people (on various sites) suggested turning off and on the Application Frame. That didn't help me: with or without the frame, before and after, I still had the same problem. 

But then I simply closed InDesign and reopened it again--still the same problem. But THEN, when I turned the Application Frame off and back on again, the frame was freed up from its anchored position and I was able to move it around at will. 

[Anne25151407jyxb]

However - I have a user this happening to, and she's never used a monitor. She is opening files locally and off the network that may have been access to coworkers using dual displays.

I've gon through all the steps listed - and the issue persists.

Mac Os 10.14.6, Indesign 2021 ( 16.4)

any other ideas?

[John27171569z07k]

This issue has just happened to me and I found a solution that works. I haven't seen this answer in any of the replies above, so apologies if it's duplicated.

I have 3 screens, and InDesign was stuck on the laptop screen.

So, here goes:
Go to InDesign > Preferences > User Interface Scaling.

My settings were on small so I scaled it to large and clicked OK, it will come up with a message saying "Changes to your UI scaling settings will take effect after you restart InDesign", I clicked 'restart now' and it automatically reopened InDesign and was 'moveable' again, and I just went back into UI scaling again and repeated the steps above changing back from large to small and everything is back to normal.

Phew (panic over)

Current InDesign version: 18.0

Current MACOS: Ventura 13.0.1

God Bless

[scottc65287965]

I ran into this as well. I'm running two external monitors on an M1 macbook pro. It happened when InDesign launched on the MacBook screen. My solution was to go into Apple>System Preferences>Displays and drag the menu bar (transparent white bar on the top of one of the displays in the display arrangement view) to my large primary monitor. InDesign launches with the correct view now on my main screen.

[PERRY28728769fwc7]

I also found a workaround to the glitch - Put your doc into Presentation mode, then back out again to normal mode and the App is now able to be moved and scaled as normal. Clearly a programming glitch. None of the fixes above worked for me. The app is automatically opening as if it's been maximised and nothing would get the green/yellow/red circles to appear, until I put it in Presentation Mode and then back out again. Having been through this many times with Mac M1 chips and Adobe apps not working well together, I've come to expect problems. At least this works for now - until the programmers "fix the fix" and leave us with an unusable app again! They seem very diligent about fixing the fix's but never fixing the problems.

[Danielle292461361qxu]

Confirming adjusting display settings so external displays do not sit higher than main display addressed this issue for me.

[SurajAmrutia]

I have a laptop and a larger screen above it. This was a constant problem til I hid the menu bar on os. No issue after, and more screen space lol

[David29677030wzph]

Moving my two monitor configuration fixed it on my MacBook. I just wasted a bunch of time on this. Adobe, can't you do some kind of listener that makes sure this doesn't happen? This kind of stuff is so frustrating for your users, many of whom will be using multiple windows.

[SurajAmrutia]

I went to settings and auto hid the Mac menu bar. Annoying fix, but it
does the trick.

[ChrisDeVere]

I hjave a similar issue now halfway through 2023. Most of my other software remembers its size and location when closing and reopening, I don't know why Adobe finds it necessary to force InDesign to fill all available screen space. It's a frustrating time suck to have to dislodge the full screed window from my primary screen, and then resize said window which now fills more than the entirety of my two screens (especially since you can only grab and resize from the corners rather than anywhere along the border) all the way down to just smaller than my secondary screen (which is where I use InDesign). It can't be that much trouble to just let users decide their own UI on open settings. This is clearly annoying multitudes of users in numerous different ways. Especially in industries where time is money and being able to shave off an extra minute or so every single time you open the software would be a massive boon. 

[JimAustin]

I had this issue--or I think it's the same issue--quite a while ago; I think I even posted somewhere in this thread. But then I figured it out--found the solution--so I assumed I must have a different issue and was misunderstanding. If I'm wrong and withheld the answer for months, my sincere apologies. 

There's a feature on the Mac that I consider an absolute core feature--the ability to use multiple screens. There are different ways to move among them, but for me the most convenient is to brush up with three fingers on the track pad (or whatever it's called). There's an equivalent gesture on a mouse, but I haven't used a mouse in years. I'm strictly a laptop guy (rather laptop-plus-external monitor). 

Anyway, that three-finger gesture is the solution. When the application frame is stuck behind the menu bar, swip up with three fingers. I think this is what they call "Mission Control." Anyway, when you swipe up, you can see all the apps open on that screen. It's like they all move into the background, and you can see them, and all of them are smaller. Now you can click on the InDesign app drag bar (or whatever it's caled)  and drag it onto the external monitor. Put it wherever you want it there. Then swipe down with three fingers to exit Mission Control. Problem solved, right? 

If I'm missing something, I'd really like to know. 

Jim

[Kim32906963e8ma]

When I use 3 fingers and everything gets smaller, I can't grab the window so it pops right back under the menu bar. Tried with my mouse and with my fingers. How do you grab it? Thank you.

[Kim32906963e8ma]

Jim, you are a LIFESAVER! I have been struggling with this problem for months and it has gotten worse and worse to the point where it happened every time my mac went to sleep so I was dealing with this 5 or 6 times a day! THE THREE FINGER METHOD WORKED! Now will somebody PLEASE TELL ADOBE TO GET ON THIS??? Thanks again Jim!

[Susanne Clark]

I found a new solution that works best for me now. I go to the launchpad or system settings, find the "Displays" setting. My current setting is set to "default"... when this scenario happens, I select "more space" which makes all the application windows smaller, then rearrange things as needed, while keeping the display settings open. Once rearranged, I set it back to "default" and everything jumps into place nicely. Been a lifesaver for me now instead of disconnecting the monitors. 

[Kim32906963e8ma]

Works for the moment but the minute I quit indesign and re-launch, it goes right back to under the menu bar.

[Marketing32524344gug7]

 @Adobe when is a fix coming for this??? It affects me everytime I open up Indesign. I'm on Mac OS 14.0. Looks like this has been happening for years. Should be an easy fix!

[imagepoint]

Turn application frame on, it will recenter.

[Pam328905507jml]

Go to window>application frame and uncheck it and it will release your frame. 

[susanm69154016]

unfortunately, that only releases the window inside the application frame. (image 1) The top of the frame is still not accessible. You have to hide the Mac menu bar, then you can move the frame. Image 2. This has been an issue for a very long time.

[Rachel34737055r7ty]

Best way i have found is to unplug your second monitor
Make the indesign window smaller on your primary monitor
Then reconnect your secondary monitor and you can now drag it on to that screen with the frame
Unnecssary faff for something that should just work

[Christine@Moonlight]

After reading through the replies... I simply unplugged my second monitor and rebooted my laptop. Indesign was then accessible and positioned on the macbook pro 2017 monitor where it should be. I then plugged the second monitor back in and moved indesign over to my larger workspace. 

[susanmoulton]

Unless you have two external monitors. 

[martin@dogspaw.co.uk]

Thank you. You've fixed a long standing issue.