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Windows 11 multi monitor taskbar not working properly
The Windows 11 multi monitor taskbar is not working properly. The taskbar is visible on the secondary monitors but seems to have little functionality or is "broken". Tested this on multiple systems.
If using: "When using multiple displays, show my taskbar apps on" has no effect with any setting.
This is a "known" issue with the release. It's noted on the release notes.
https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2021/06/28/announcing-the-first-insider-preview-for-windows-11/ (near the bottom of the page).
118 Replies
PeteGomersallproblem PARTIALLY fixed in update KB5006746, the search and start button are now functioning properly in both screens, @w11 22000.282 Compilation
- No it hasn't. Auto-hide on multiple monitors is still broken after applying that update. Looks like we'll have to wait until build 22000.449 or 22000.65, as reported earlier by other people.
PeteGomersall I just ran into this issue. As a workaround, you can right-click in the taskbar area and it will show the taskbar with the option to show the desktop. It's a minor annoyance for me right now.
I have three machines running a final release of windows 11 with multiple monitors.
Three different graphics cards/drivers
The start menu on any monitor other than primary never works. You go to type into the search box or touch the keyboard and the menu just folds back up.
I've found there is no value in having the start menu on any other than the primary monitor, so I've just turned that off.
- Not having to slide back across 5 screen to click a running app, and the other capabilities the start menu has if it is working right are very useful.
Even with only 2 screens, i dont really want to have to slide all the way back to the 1st screen Take a look at StartAllBack (https://www.startallback.com) as it fixes everything that I dislike and is broken in W11; for $4.99 it is a give-away! You can try for 30 days free as well. Currently it only supports the version that is GA - 22000.
- Please do not put sales pitches in my feedback thread
I'm not paying you 5 dollars for something that will ultimately be fixed free
I have the same issue as well. Some other notes:
1. When I use "Autohide Taskbar" and try to "unhide" the taskbar on the 2nd/3rd monitors by scrolling to the bottom of the screen, it does not unhide the taskbar. It only works on the main screen.
2. The date, time, and additional icons do not appear on the 2nd/3rd monitor taskbars.
So picked up on two issues on this tread, the original taskbar not displaying all the icons properly on a second monitor and a question on 'can you change the taskbar alignment back to the left?'.
There is a bug with the first problem as stated in the tread, a interim fix which works for me & can last varying degrees of times, is under 'Taskbar behaviours', try unchecking & re-checking the options 'Automatically hide the taskbar' or 'Show my taskbar on all displays' etc. this kicks the taskbar back to displaying correctly.
Also under 'Taskbar behaviours' there is a 'Taskbar Alignment' option where you can change from Centre to Left.
Hope this helps people out, have a good day!
- Worked for me! Thanks
Same issue confirmed, PeteGomersall
Did u find a solution? Fresh install with official Microsoft Media Creation Tool October 09, 2021 system up-to-date
Search button and Windows button search function are not working in 2nd monitor, and even no responsive on the main screen, this bug is a deal breaker. I already try to restart the search service, no luck
I am confirming this issue still exists as of 10/8
Not gonna lie.. I am pretty disappointed with the OS after all the hype.
- Confirming the issue here as well! Taskbar disappeared! Had to reset.
Found a fix on the official release: Simply unpin any app on the taskbar, and/or re-pin it. Taskbar auto-hide works after that.
*EDIT* There's a catch: This has to be done every time either Windows is booted, or Windows Explorer is restarted. Meaning, this is still a glitch Microsoft needs to fix, which is apparently resolved in build 22000.449.
- yea same problem
I got around this by turning off the "automatically hide the taskbar" setting. not a great fix but got it on all screens now.
