Join the AMA (Ask Me Anything) with the Firefox leadership team to celebrate Firefox 20th anniversary and discuss Firefox’s future on Mozilla Connect. Mark your calendar on Thursday, November 14, 18:00 - 20:00 UTC!

This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

New windows open on the wrong monitor

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

When I have my computer plugged into an external monitor, I want new browser windows to open on the external monitor, but they always open on the computer's monitor. I have gone through the entire process at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-and-diagnose-firefox-problems (clearing cache etc., trying safe mode, creating a new profile, refreshing Firefox, reinstalling Firefox) and the problem persists. This happens if I manually select "New Tab," "New Window," or "New Private Window" from the File menu with no existing windows open. It also happens if I use the key commands for any of these menu items. It happens if I use the menu bar on the computer's monitor or the menu bar on the external monitor. Opening a window and dragging it from the computer's monitor to the external monitor does not change anything. I've also tried using Divvy (https://mizage.com/divvy/) to move the browser window between windows with a key command, but after moving it this way nothing changes—new windows continue to open on the computer's monitor. How do I set which monitor Firefox will use for displaying new windows and/or get it to remember my preference?

System details:

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016) macOS Catalina, Version 10.15.2 Firefox 72.0.2 LG HDR 4K external monitor (Model 27UK850) CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt dock Computer connected to the dock with Thunderbolt 3 LG external monitor connected to the dock with DisplayPort 1.2

When I have my computer plugged into an external monitor, I want new browser windows to open on the external monitor, but they always open on the computer's monitor. I have gone through the entire process at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-and-diagnose-firefox-problems (clearing cache etc., trying safe mode, creating a new profile, refreshing Firefox, reinstalling Firefox) and the problem persists. This happens if I manually select "New Tab," "New Window," or "New Private Window" from the File menu with no existing windows open. It also happens if I use the key commands for any of these menu items. It happens if I use the menu bar on the computer's monitor or the menu bar on the external monitor. Opening a window and dragging it from the computer's monitor to the external monitor does not change anything. I've also tried using Divvy (https://mizage.com/divvy/) to move the browser window between windows with a key command, but after moving it this way nothing changes—new windows continue to open on the computer's monitor. How do I set which monitor Firefox will use for displaying new windows and/or get it to remember my preference? System details: MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016) macOS Catalina, Version 10.15.2 Firefox 72.0.2 LG HDR 4K external monitor (Model 27UK850) CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt dock Computer connected to the dock with Thunderbolt 3 LG external monitor connected to the dock with DisplayPort 1.2

Chosen solution

Someone on reddit offered a trick for this that seems to have fixed the problem for me!

> In Firefox, make a new window, drag it to the monitor where you want new windows to be, make it full screen by clicking the little green icon in the top-left of the window, make it non-full screen by clicking that same thing again, and close the window. Now, when you make a new window, it should open on that monitor.

Credit to /u/electric75 on reddit.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (2)

more options

Chosen Solution

Someone on reddit offered a trick for this that seems to have fixed the problem for me!

> In Firefox, make a new window, drag it to the monitor where you want new windows to be, make it full screen by clicking the little green icon in the top-left of the window, make it non-full screen by clicking that same thing again, and close the window. Now, when you make a new window, it should open on that monitor.

Credit to /u/electric75 on reddit.

more options

In a long past we used to offer these steps:

Modified by cor-el