Monterey seems to not remember which display should show which windows after sleep wakeup

I’m pretty sure when you check the box it indicates you have to logout to have it take affect. I did a full shut down and started it back up and have not had the problem since. I even brought it to work today and it remembered the placement on my work computers.

I have this problem now too. I'm using the CalDigit dock to connect two ViewSonic monitors to my M1 MBP.

It was fine for months and then after disconnecting everything and moving (to a new State), ever since I connected everything back up it has this problem/bug.

I've tried rearranging the cables, etc. but still having the same issue. Sometimes it works to hit `Esc` instead of logging in after waking from sleep, that will rearrange the displays again so that they're back to "normal".

This is quite annoying since one of my monitors is setup vertically/turned on the side and it's difficult to crane my neck likewise to try and get things back properly using the display settings.

I also have this issue, and I suspect the same diagnosis that "Problem Solved Now" has offered, ie. the system doesn't wait long enough for the monitors to wake, and rearranges window positions to fit on what it thinks is your full desktop, too early.

I am on a Mac Studio M1, Dell UP2715K (via OWC adaptor to twin DP) and a 30" Cinema Display (using Club Dual Link DVI adaptor). On Monterey 12.4. The issue is repeatable every time for long sleeps (eg. overnight). It's driving me nuts!

Follow this tutorial!

After this stupid change everything WORKS!

https://canartuc.medium.com/windows-are-not-shown-after-sleep-in-macos-big-sur-solution-is-here-3664985fbec9

THANKS carnartuc!!!!

See my post above "This workaround works!" If you keep your mac or MB plugged in primarily. Install Rectangle v0.5 app + put to sleep using a button (instead of closing lid all the way. See if it works for you. I've been doing it for over a week now and all my windows and spaces on secondary display stay put!

Bump.

Same issue here. After it goes into sleep mode (or even screen saver mode) it returns and the open windows on my 32" Samsung monitor are now in the main iMac 27" 5K screen. The smaller 24" Samsung window seems to remember the windows in it and are not impacted by the "bug". Both monitors are driven by Thunderbolt ports to a DisplayPort on the monitors.

Possibly related or not.....when I upgraded to Monterey, my Time Machine got screwy with a display issue as well (google search and others have the same issue). When I manually start TM, I can't see most of the screen as it appears there is a "fantom" window covering a large portion of the center screen. The only way I've found to get rid of that issue is to unplug all external monitors which forces it to the main display and it no longer has the "fantom" black window. Not sure if others that have this issue (disappearing windows in external monitor(s)) also have the Time Machine problem. Curious to see if they are related....

Not sure if Apple thinks this is a bug or just settings on the monitor. I've tried different cables, setting the refresh to 30 HZ, but nothing seems to work. Did try setting PRAM but works for a few times but returns back to issue. I have turn off sleeping which works for awhile until it doesn't. Clearly by the number of people responding, others have this problem as well. Most on laptops but I think that is due to people not hooking up external displays on iMacs. I use my rig for stock/option trading hence the 3 screens. My guess is if others hook up external screens, they may experience the issue with *some* monitors.

Jeff-

4.2 GHz Intel i7 2017

48 GB DDR4

Monterey 12.1

32" Samsung 3840x2160 DisplayPort 60Hz Model: LU32J590UQNXZA

24" Samsung 1920x1080 DisplayPort 60 Hz Model: LS24E45KDSG/GO

I've been using Magnet before and after experiencing this change in behavior and it has not solved anything for me.

Are you keeping all windows from open apps on the same screen - or trying to keep multiple windows from the same app (e.g. Safari) on different screens? I had multiple app windows carefully set up to be in different workspaces depending on task. After sleep, they regrouped from second screen to laptop and mixed everything up. Since turning off sleep, they have been mostly well-behaved, but this is not a long-term solution.

i have not tried the magnet solution because i'm a cheapskate and refuse to pay $8 for something that should just work. but i have had really good luck with the finder->hide others solution posted here. it is sometimes a pain, but it does work 99% of the time.

I had a session with tech support (phone, screenshare). They had me try it in safe mode. At first, it didn't happen. Then they had me delete 3 .plist files and then it happened in safe mode, too. I didn't write down the names of the files deleted, sadly.

But, weirdly, the problem only now happens if I lock the screen, let the monitors sleep and wake them and login immediately. If I'm gone a while, the problem no longer happens.

The tech support asked for a 2nd call. I was at my phone at 2pm. Then at 2:09 I got an email they called and "missed" me. No, I don't silence unknown callers.

The other thing found on the call: I have the Preferences > Mission Control option "Displays have separate Spaces" unchecked. This means I have a menu bar on one monitor not both. When I move the menu bar to the other monitor and do the test, the windows are gather to that monitor (the one with the menu bar). That seems important.

I have a friend that has the same bug, but he has "Displays have separate Spaces" checked, so there goes that hypothesis.

I just found this and it works atm, at least after a few forced sleep cycles. iMac with latest Monterey and 2nd TB Monitor

cheers Mark

https://canartuc.medium.com/windows-are-not-shown-after-sleep-in-macos-big-sur-solution-is-here-3664985fbec9

Okay, I'll give it a go.

I also found another suggestion: under General Uncheck "Close windows when quitting an app". Bizarre if it works. Reference: an answer on macrumors.

If either work I'll let you know — probably tomorrow.

Well, I "solved" the bug for my circumstances. I have 3 Viewsonic monitors, all exactly the same model (VX2478-SMHD) , I kept one in storage and used 2 with my Macbook Pro. I switched one of them out with the one I usually keep in storage and that did the trick.

When I moved I must have grabbed the one I usually didn't use, and apparently MacOS couldn't tell the difference between the two and kept flopping them around. For some reason two of them (the "right" pair/combo are different enough and gives MacOS what it needs so it can distinguish the two every time.

I have the new MacBook Air M2, Monterey latest 12.5.1

Same problem, connected to my home monitor 24" Samsung as a second screen (thunderbolt-hub-hdmi), and also when connected to my office monitor 32" Eizo (thunderbolt directly).

I tried all possible variations with mission control, like adjust spaces to last usage or monitors use different spaces

Some few times the windows appeared correctly, but most often they land all on the Macbook display after wakeup.

I agree. I've replicated the issue in a new and clean user profile with default settings and no installed utilities.

I ended up buying Moom! The problem is still there but with one press of a button my apps are lined up like I want it.