Dock keeps moving between monitors

I have connected on to my MacBook Pro Retina (Model Identifier: MacBookPro10,1) two monitors. A Thunderbolt Display connected to the Thunderbolt port (next to power connector), a HP LCD Monitor w2408h connected to the Thunderbolt port (next to USB) with a DisplayPort to DVI adapter (using DVI/HDMI cable) .

Display Arrangement is MacBook Retina (left), Thunderbolt Display (middle), and HP LCD (right). The main menu bar is on the middle monitor, which puts the Dock in the middle.

My Dock keeps moving randomly to any of the 3 monitors. It supposed to be in the middle.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9), Model ID: MacBookPro10,1

Posted on Nov 5, 2013 5:47 AM

Top-ranking reply

Topher Kessler

Level 6

9,935 points

Posted on Nov 5, 2013 5:54 AM

This is a feature of the way Mavericks handles multiple displays. As you move your mouse and focus to different displays, the system menu bar and Dock will appear on that display. To prevent this, go to the Mission Control system preferences and uncheck the "Displays have separate spaces" option.

View in context

77 replies

DeJoker

Level 1

4 points

Jun 8, 2016 10:34 AM in response to Felix Hernandez

Thanks good to know -- Feedback sent

My original hope was that Apple (or someone from Apple) actually read these posts in order to find out where folks might be having issues with their products so that they could have a finger on the pulse and respond to their user base in a pro-active manner. I know some very successful companies actually do this but it is not common (nor for that matter are very successful companies perhaps it is not just a coincidence).

Note: when I say very successful companies I do not mean mega-companies I mean quality companies that can (no matter their size) whether the storms of the industry very effectively because they keep in the fore-front of their minds what is the most important element to their success which for nearly all companies is a happy customer base.

Sep 14, 2016 9:09 AM in response to Topher Kessler

Thank You Topher - I have 3 monitors and was going NUTS with the dock moving from screen to screen. I can see the value of having it move if you like that or need it but now, I CAN BLOCK IT. THANK YOU TOPHER. Phew... I love it.

Stephen Lochmiller, SiteSolutions.Com

orbfish

Level 1

5 points

Oct 22, 2014 11:19 AM in response to dipakcg

dipakcg:You don't have to minimize anything. That would make this an amazing pain, rather than just a huge pain.

dawiley

Level 1

0 points

Jan 3, 2014 1:51 PM in response to smithmr8

you got it

dinerdog

Level 1

4 points

Jan 8, 2014 5:52 AM in response to SputnikTechnologies

Thanks Sputnik Technoligies! This was driving me crazy. I actually restarted a couple times to get it back. Now I know this is a simple feature. 🙂

Dickie7

Level 1

11 points

Jan 9, 2014 6:32 PM in response to dinerdog

Thanks for the fix Sputnik! You've stopped the frustration that was eventually going to lead to a fist going through my Thunderbolt Display!

mayerbci

Level 1

4 points

Jan 10, 2014 5:31 AM in response to SputnikTechnologies

Thanks! Great catch. For me I was using Fusion and moving to the 2nd monitor and then quickly down to the Windows task bar. Now I know what not to do. Thanks again!

Mar 14, 2014 7:19 AM in response to SputnikTechnologies

THANK YOU so much Sputnik! I was so frustrated and you solved the problem for me! 🙂

emarino

Level 1

8 points

Mar 23, 2014 7:48 AM in response to SputnikTechnologies

Thank you SputnikTechnologies for the info. Although it was annoying when it appeared to randomly occur, I like the option, again thanks for enlightening us.

Willjjv

Level 1

4 points

Mar 26, 2014 10:37 AM in response to Petah.in.TX

Great suggestion!

jerang

Level 1

0 points

Apr 2, 2014 4:48 PM in response to SputnikTechnologies

It was driving me nuts, thanks Sputnik Technologies!

May 3, 2014 2:18 PM in response to Petah.in.TX

In a nutshell...but will they listen? let's hope so.

May 20, 2014 10:35 PM in response to SputnikTechnologies

Like everyone else, this has really been p****ing me off. However, using the workaround I found that it only works with the Trackpad and does not work with the Genius mouse!

Jun 13, 2014 4:53 AM in response to SputnikTechnologies

thanks for sorting that

Jul 13, 2014 10:42 AM in response to SputnikTechnologies

Thank you - this helped! At least now we know how to control the behavior.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Dock keeps moving between monitors