Window decorations not drawn on external monitor

[Steve Magoun]

Window decorations (close / minimize / maximize buttons) do not draw on the external monitor on a laptop with external display. Windows on the laptop display are not affected.

UI scale on the built-in display is 1.25; it's 1.0 on the external display. I am not sure if this is relevant.

To reproduce:
1) Plug in an external monitor to a laptop; ensure that it is running in extended display mode
2) Launch an application such as the terminal
3) The terminal launches on the laptop's built-in display. Observe the window decorations draw as expected
4) Drag the terminal window to the second display

Expected results;
The terminal window is drawn on the extended display

Actual results:
The terminal window is drawn on the extended display but the close, minimize, and maximize buttons are missing.

The problem happens on windows from all applications I've tried (firefox, terminal, emacs, thunderbird)

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: unity 7.2.0+14.04.20140411-0ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-24.46-generic 3.13.9
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-24-generic x86_64
.tmp.unity.support.test.0:

ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu2
Architecture: amd64
CompizPlugins: [core,commands,composite,opengl,compiztoolbox,decor,vpswitch,snap,mousepoll,resize,place,move,wall,grid,regex,imgpng,session,gnomecompat,animation,fade,unitymtgrabhandles,workarounds,scale,expo,ezoom,unityshell]
CompositorRunning: compiz
CompositorUnredirectDriverBlacklist: '(nouveau|Intel).*Mesa 8.0'
CompositorUnredirectFSW: true
CurrentDesktop: Unity
Date: Mon Apr 14 10:56:46 2014
DistUpgraded: 2014-02-12 13:40:42,704 DEBUG enabling apt cron job
DistributionChannelDescriptor:
 # This is a distribution channel descriptor
 # For more information see http://wiki.ubuntu.com/DistributionChannelDescriptor
 canonical-oem-somerville-precise-amd64-20130203-1
DistroCodename: trusty
DistroVariant: ubuntu
DkmsStatus:
 fwts-efi-runtime-dkms, 14.03.01, 3.13.0-23-generic, x86_64: installed
 fwts-efi-runtime-dkms, 14.03.01, 3.13.0-24-generic, x86_64: installed
 virtualbox, 4.3.10, 3.13.0-23-generic, x86_64: installed
 virtualbox, 4.3.10, 3.13.0-24-generic, x86_64: installed
EcryptfsInUse: Yes
GraphicsCard:
 Intel Corporation Haswell-ULT Integrated Graphics Controller [8086:0a16] (rev 09) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
   Subsystem: Dell Device [1028:060a]
InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-12-02 (132 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.04 "Precise" - Build amd64 LIVE Binary 20130203-13:50
MachineType: Dell Inc. XPS13 9333
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic root=UUID=0b9db31c-747b-40ad-bbbd-13a9a29caece ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
SourcePackage: unity
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to trusty on 2014-02-12 (60 days ago)
dmi.bios.date: 11/11/2013
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: A01
dmi.board.name: 0GFTRT
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.board.version: A00
dmi.chassis.type: 8
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.chassis.version: 0.1
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA01:bd11/11/2013:svnDellInc.:pnXPS139333:pvr:rvnDellInc.:rn0GFTRT:rvrA00:cvnDellInc.:ct8:cvr0.1:
dmi.product.name: XPS13 9333
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.
version.compiz: compiz 1:0.9.11+14.04.20140409-0ubuntu1
version.ia32-libs: ia32-libs N/A
version.libdrm2: libdrm2 2.4.52-1
version.libgl1-mesa-dri: libgl1-mesa-dri 10.1.0-4ubuntu4
version.libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental: libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental N/A
version.libgl1-mesa-glx: libgl1-mesa-glx 10.1.0-4ubuntu4
version.xserver-xorg-core: xserver-xorg-core 2:1.15.0-1ubuntu7
version.xserver-xorg-input-evdev: xserver-xorg-input-evdev 1:2.8.2-1ubuntu2
version.xserver-xorg-video-ati: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:7.3.0-1ubuntu3
version.xserver-xorg-video-intel: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.99.910-0ubuntu1
version.xserver-xorg-video-nouveau: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau 1:1.0.10-1ubuntu2
xserver.bootTime: Mon Apr 14 08:54:29 2014
xserver.configfile: default
xserver.errors:

xserver.logfile: /var/log/Xorg.0.log
xserver.outputs:
 product id 4933
 vendor CMN
xserver.version: 2:1.15.0-1ubuntu7

[Marco Trevisan (Treviño) (3v1n0)]

Do you get any debug/error output if you run unity from a termminal using

compiz --replace

?

[Steve Magoun (smagoun)]

@Marco:

Below is debug output from running compiz --replace. I ran this command with the external monitor already plugged in. After restarting compiz, the window decorations draw correctly on both screens.

1) Plug in external monitor
2) Open a terminal
3) Type compiz --replace. UI becomes unresponsive (the mouse still moved around, but I couldn't interact with windows)
4) I switched to another VT to see what was happening. top reported apport was running
5) I switched back to VT7; compiz restarted

steve@aether:~$ compiz --replace
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: core
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: core
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: ccp
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: ccp
compizconfig - Info: Backend : gsettings
compizconfig - Info: Integration : true
compizconfig - Info: Profile : unity
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: composite
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: composite
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: opengl
compiz (core) - Info: Unity is fully supported by your hardware.
compiz (core) - Info: Unity is fully supported by your hardware.
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: opengl
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: copytex
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: copytex
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: imgpng
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: imgpng
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: move
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: move
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: place
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: place
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: commands
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: commands
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: vpswitch
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: vpswitch
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: mousepoll
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: mousepoll
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: resize
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: resize
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: compiztoolbox
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: compiztoolbox
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: regex
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: regex
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: grid
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: grid
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: snap
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: snap
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: wall
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: wall
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: unitymtgrabhandles
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: unitymtgrabhandles
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: session
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: session
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: animation
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: animation
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: expo
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: expo
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: workarounds
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: workarounds
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: fade
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: fade
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: ezoom
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: ezoom
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: scale
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: scale
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: unityshell
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: unity...

[Christopher Townsend (townsend)]

Hi Steve,

Does this bug still occur for you with all applied updates in 14.04?

Thanks!

[Steve Magoun (smagoun)]

@Chris:

This still occurs with all 14.04 updates (including trusty-proposed) as of May 27

[Christopher Townsend (townsend)]

Ok, thanks for the info. I will look into it next week after the sprint.

[Robert Harrison (rjharrison)]

Same experience here with fully updated 14.04 on an ASUS UX301L with an NEC external display connected via display port. All applications tried are affected.

[Christopher Townsend (townsend)]

Hey Steve,

I cannot reproduce this issue on my dual monitor setup. I'm thinking it may be something specific to your config, ie, a setting, wonky graphics driver, video connection, ???.

I've tried both global menus and locally integrated menus. Which do you have enabled? Also, what type of video connection are you using when connecting the external monitor?

Sorry I can't be more help:(

[Steve Magoun (smagoun)]

@Chris: My hardware is a Dell XPS 13 (Intel Haswell CPU + GFX) connected to a Dell U2410 via displayport. I am using global menus.

Rebooting fixes the problem temporarily, however it always comes back. I am not sure what the trigger is to make the problem recur but I'll keep trying to figure it out.

[Kash (kash-karimi)]

Problem still exists in 14.10. I am using Dell E6230 laptop connected to HDMI monitor.

[susscorfa (susscorfa)]

I have similair issues with a mac book 13" connected to dell u2410 monitor using VGA thunderbold connector

[Clayton Dillard (claytondillard)]

I be having da same issue dog! It be on my HP 8570p with Radeon 7570M and an HP EliteDisplay E231 23' display connected via HP Display Port.

[Stefan Skotte (screemo)]

I got the same problem on Dell XPS 13 9343, with displayport and Dell U2713HM.

Anyone got a fix yet?

[Stefan Skotte (screemo)]

Actually I just installed the Numix Gtk theme - and now it works. Even with 1.5 vs 1.0 pixel scaling between the monitors.

Appears to be a scaling issue with the images used for close/maximize/minimize in the default ubuntu theme.

[nekojira (nekojira)]

I have the same problem with 15.04

main screen is a Lenovo Thinkpad e120
external display is on HDMI, is an older Samsung 16:10 lcd screen

I have a temporary fix for that, which consists in pressing super+P key - the displays will cycle through configuration possibilities (use both or display only 1 and set the resolution) - when doing so the displays will redraw the windows and the window decorations will reapper

it's a bit annoying because I have to do this at every single startup

[Joel Splinter (window-dynamics)]

I'm having the same issue on my dell xps 13 9343 running ubuntu 14.04 upgrade to kernel 3.19 to fix some of the other small issues.
Laptop display at 1920 x 1080 and HP 20" display through the display port DVI adaptor 16000 x 900 resolution.

[mljohnson00 (mljohnson00)]

I've found on my Dell XPS 13 9343 that going into System Settings -> Display -> Scale for Menu and Title Bars, changing the scale to a different value and back to the original value gets the buttons back

[Jim (jim-plunckett)]

I have the same issue on a Dell Latitude E7450 with Ubuntu 14.04LTS. I have an external 22" Dell monitor connected through VGA with a miniDVI dongle. mljohnson00's solution (changing the scale for menu and title bars) works, but I'd love to see a permanent solution. Note that though the buttons disappear visually, they keep working: when I click on the space where the buttons are supposed to be, all three of them work as expected.

[Jonathan Byrne (jonathan-yamame)]

I also have this problem, on a Dell M3800 with factory-installed Ubuntu 14.04. I've had it for a while but never connected an external monitor before. External monitor = Dell E248, connected via Mini DP with Mini DP to DVI adapter.

[Peter Hudson (peter-hudson)]

I have the same issue. I'm running Ubuntu 16.04 on an ASUS NX500 (graphics card is Nvidia 850M). I connect via display port to an external 4K ASUS monitor (built in display is also 4K) and I run 1.5 scaling on both. Nvidia display driver version is 361.42.

[Toby Anderson (toby-anderson)]

This bug affects me running 16.04 on an ThinkPad X1 Carbon connected via HDMI to a Diamond Digital display.

Graphics card is Intel® HD Graphics 520 (Skylake GT2)

built-in display is scaled to 1.25, external display is not scaled. When I scale the external display and put it back to 1 then the window decorations are drawn properly.

[Jeremiah Peschka (peschkaj)]

Can duplicate on a Dell Precision m5510 with a Intel HD Graphics 530 and an NVidia Quadro M1000M running Ubuntu 16.04.

Output of uname -a:

Linux arbitrarly 4.6.2-040602-generic #201606072312 SMP Wed Jun 8 03:14:36 UTC 2016 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Kernel 4.6.2 is in use because of problems with 4.4.0 and Intel graphics.

The same workaround (scaling the external display independently) corrects the issue for me.

[Christian González (droetker)]

Same here with Ubuntu 16.04, on a Samsung RF511, builtin 1366x768, external LG L203WT with 1680x1050. The problem occurred suddenly (with an update?) - had no problems since months.

Standard kernel, no additional drivers, nouveau driver for Nvidia GF108M [GeForce GT 540M]

$ uname -a
Linux aragorn 4.4.0-45-generic #66-Ubuntu SMP Wed Oct 19 14:12:37 UTC 2016 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

[Michael Grivas (mgrivas)]

Problem persists in Ubuntu 16.10.

The button *do work* but they do not show up. Clicking on space, where "close" should be, it closes the window. Same for minimize and maximize.

Details: Lenovo Thinkpad P5, with standard kernel 4.8.0-27, dual video: nouveau driver for NVIDIA Corporation GM107GLM [Quadro M1000M] (rev a2) and i915 for Intel HD Graphics 530 (Skylake GT2, rev 06).
Build-in : 1920x1080 (native) - scale factor 1,12
External : 1920x1200 (native) - scale factor 1 - plugged on display port.
Theme: The default (Ambiance)

Workaround worked: compiz --replace &
After that, all controls show fine.

[martinely95 (martinely95)]

Can be fixed by following this: http://askubuntu.com/a/537879/530506

[Alexis Lecocq (axtux)]

martinely95 thanks for the tip, working for now, will post future issues