Bug: Window doesn't display after launching

[Pacifica112]

Hi all!

I had an interesting experience using Notepad++ on my laptop today and wanted to share it with a solution here in case others down the line may experience the same and are looking for answers.

I stumbled across an issue where the Notepad++ window would not show either after opening a document, or launching the program directly. It would load as a process in task manager, but any attempt to bring the window into focus simply would not work.

It turned out that the issue was caused by my using a secondary HDMI monitor, using Notepad++ on the 2nd display and disconnecting the display BEFORE dragging the Notepad++ window BACK to the primary monitor. After reconnecting the display and doing so fixed this issue for me.

Hope this helps!

[PeterJones]

@Pacifica112

Good catch. Though I wouldn’t call it a bug, but a feature of Windows OS: in some circumstances (like the one you described), Windows allows an application window to be completely out of the viewable screen.

Another option to recover from that situation is to make sure Notepad++ has focus on the Windows taskbar, then hit Alt+Spacebar to bring up the upper-left menu, then hit M to select “Move”, then hit an arrow key to start the actual moving, then wiggle the mouse to have the Notepad++ window snap to wherever your mouse cursor currently is.

[Casper Abraham]

Tried all kinds of things and eventually it was THIS problem. Great insight into why this happens all of a sudden. Old maybe but still relevant.