Unable to move the objects correctly if the External Monitor is connected in InDesign 20.1 version

[Allyson5C0E]

I recently got new monitors. Ever since I've been having this issue where ONLY IN INDESIGN, I am unable to move objects with the direct selection tool where I want them to go. If I try, the object will jump across the screen or refuse to move all together. Nothing is locked. This happens for any kind of object in all documents. Sometimes when I try to move something, it randomly creates "snippets" on my desktop as well. I can use the arrow keys still to move objects around. I seem to be getting a similar error anytime I try to click and drag anything. For example, duplicating a page by dragging the page down to the + "Create new page" button at the bottom of my pages window or duplicating a swatch in a similar fashion in the swatches panel. I can right-click and still duplicate both. It's only when I drag that I get a red error circle. This problem was ONLY OCCURRING when I had Indesign on the monitor's screen. It was working fine if I moved it over to my laptop screen.

A temporary fix I've found is making my monitor the "main display" in my display settings. Now I can work normally on Indesign on the monitor. BUT the problem still happens if I move my indesign over to my laptop screen instead now. If I unplug from my monitors, InDesign works fine on my laptop.

The problem started after I updated my windows to the most recent update. I've reset my preferences, updated my indesign from 2024 to 2025, uninstalled and reinstalled indesign, updated my NVIDIA driver, tried plugging in completely different monitors, restarting my computer, etc etc. I don't want to rollback the update because I think that's a temporary fix. 

Any advice?

<Title renamed by moderator>

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @Allyson5C0E, 

Thank you for reaching out. We've received multiple reports regarding this issue. Could you please provide the following details to help us investigate further?

1. InDesign version you are using.

2. OS details: Save the msinfo32 file by following these steps:

 - Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

 - Type 'msinfo32' and press Enter.

 - Click on 'File' > 'Save' and provide the saved file.

Additionally, could you test the issue after uninstalling the Microsoft cumulative update KB5050094 and let us know if it resolves the problem?

For better understanding, please share a recording of the issue (you can use your mobile phone for this).

Looking forward to your response.

^

Abhishek 

[Hazeus37]

Uninstalling the Microsoft update fixed it for me. Thanks!

[Carolina_SNRCA]

I'm having the same issue, and I can't uninstall the latest Microsoft cumulative update KB5051987. 

Any advice?

[Hazeus37]

WIndows automatically installed KB5050094 again and now i cannot uninstall it anymore...

[Allyson5C0E]

@Abhishek Rao 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @Allyson5C0E, 

Thank you for the update. Since uninstalling the Windows update is not an option, could you try adjusting the display settings to see if it helps:

1. Set scaling to 100%:

 - Go to Display settings (Right-click on the desktop > Display settings).

 - Under Scale, set the scaling to 100% and apply the changes.

2. Adjust resolution: Try lowering the resolution slightly to see if it improves performance with InDesign.

3. Restart your system and test InDesign again to check if the issue persists.

Let us know the results!

^

Abhishek 

[Carolina_SNRCA]

@Abhishek Rao adjusting the display settings, lowering the resolution, and rebooting did not resolve the issue.  I am unable to move objects with the direct selection tool. When I try to click and drag I get a red error circle. The issue is in InDesign and Illustrator. Nothing is locked. There are "snippets" on my desktop as well. I can use the arrow keys move objects around. It's only when I drag that I get a red error circle. 

[robin_2660]

I changed my scaling from 175% to 200% and it worked. Don't know how but it worked. Thank you!

[Carolina_SNRCA · Accepted solution]

I had to change the setting to set my second monitor as my main display and set my laptop as the extended monitor. That fixed it for now!

[Allyson5C0E]

@Abhishek Rao  Adjusting the scaling works but it makes every other tab basically unusable. Is there a better solution yet?

[HARSHIKA_VERMA]

Hi All,

Thank you for your patience. We've got few customers confirming that InDesign started working normally on the external monitor after installing the latest Windows update (KB5052093). 

Please check this article: https://adobe.ly/4c9aNSo

Let us know if you're still experiencing the issue. We'd be happy to assist you further.

Thanks,

Harshika

[mill_iron]

Having the same exact issue after a windows update. I can't uninstall the update though. I'm not sure how to do the steps you mention on administrator misinfo 32. Do you have a detailed instruction? Many thanks!

[lflammini]

I'm also having this issue and haven't tried the microsoft update yet, but changing the UI scaling on the monitor helped InDesign stop skipping. But then it' affects all my other work on the monitor. It, also doesn't work when I remote into my desktop from home. 

[mill_iron]

Same exact thing happened to me! Can't unroll update either. So frustrating. 

[robin_2660]

I am having the same issue

[robin_2660]

I am unable to remove the update.  Is there any other options?

[0706_rn]

Im having the same issue, when i extend my display to my monitor, the selection tool doesnt work 

[daisy_danger]

I am also having this issue, very frustrating  - any updates @ADobe? 

[leas81789260]

Ditto! I can't uninstall the Windows update so I did the screen resolution. I can now move items but even when I want to slightest shift, the item moves off the page. It's frustrating.