Display Arrangement Changes Automatically

[ThatTechGuy]

I have a MacBook Pro that I use on the go as well as my "desktop" machine connected to 2x 27" monitors via a thunderbolt dock. I can't seem to figure out why when I disconnect my MacBook and go to work and then come back and plug it back into the dock the display arrangement changes. The left screen is now on the right monitor and vice versa. It doesn't do this every time, sometimes I'll go a week without this happening or sometimes it will be every day. It happens sometimes without me even disconnecting from the dock. I will use it, go away for a few hours and without even unplugging anything it switches on me. Any ideas? Redoing the arrangement each time is getting really old. I'm running Ventura 13.3.1 on a 2018 15-inch MB Pro.

 

[Bigwaff]

The issue could be related to monitors having the same firmware and reporting the same EDID number. Your Mac can't tell them apart which is why the monitors will sometimes switch arrangements. What are the make and models of your monitors?

You may find this post very interesting...

Weird monitor bugs people sent me in the last 5 years - Alin Panaitiu

I develop 🌕 Lunar, a macOS app for getting intelligent adaptive brightness on external monitors and controlling every aspect of your monitor using DDC and other obscure protocols. I get tons of email about Lunar, especially after it became my full time “job” in 2021. A lot of those emails...

notes.alinpanaitiu.com

 

[ThatTechGuy]

That's an interesting thought...they are both the same monitor: MSI 27" Model: Optix G273

 

[SahinaTom]

I think this is happening because of outdated display drivers. You should try updating the display drivers. Also, you should check the Mac Spacs settings.

 

[okkibs]

You should try updating the display drivers.

Please indulge us, how would you go about doing that, exactly?

 

[Bigwaff]

@ThatTechGuy You might be able to set custom EDID for each display using software -

GitHub - waydabber/BetterDisplay: Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more!

Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more! - waydabber/BetterDisplay

github.com

 

[Basic75]

You might find something useful in this thread where this very subject was discussed quite extensively.

External Displays Swapping - Arrangement Not Remembered!

I am running 14" MBP with two external displays and the monitors will not keep their position to the left/right every time I wake from sleep or plug back in. The monitors are arranged above my MacBook Pro (see below), with the monitor on the left connected via a USB-C dock and hte monitor on the...

forums.macrumors.com