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Asked: 2024-09-24T13:39:04+05:30 In:

How can I configure multiple monitors using RandR on my Ubuntu system? I’m looking for guidance on setting up different display settings, such as resizing, rotating, and positioning the screens. Any detailed steps or tips would be appreciated.

I’ve been trying to set up multiple monitors on my Ubuntu system using RandR, and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. I thought this would be straightforward, but I’ve hit a wall! I really want to make the most of my workspace by having one monitor in portrait mode for reading documents and the other in landscape for coding. The challenge is that I’m not entirely sure how to do this properly with RandR.

When I try to run the command in the terminal, I can see my monitors listed, but I get confused about how to position them next to each other. Like, I understand the concept of setting different resolutions, but what do I type if I want my primary monitor on the left and my secondary on the right? And while we’re at it, how do I go about rotating my portrait monitor? I’ve seen some mentions of using commands like `–rotate left` or `–rotate right`, but I’m not sure how that fits in with the overall setup.

I’ve also heard about resizing the screens. Is that something I need to do to make sure that the displays match up perfectly? Like, does changing one monitor’s resolution affect how everything appears on the other monitor? I just want to avoid any awkward overlaps!

Oh, and what about the graphical settings? I prefer a visual way to manage my screens instead of just the command line, but I’m not sure if there’s an easy GUI tool that works well with RandR. If there is, I’d love some suggestions!

I’m really looking for detailed steps or tips from anyone who has successfully managed to configure multiple monitors on their Ubuntu system with RandR. Any input on troubleshooting common issues would be super helpful too. I’m kind of at a standstill here, and I can’t wait to get my setup just right so I can boost my productivity!

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    2 Answers


    1. To set up multiple monitors in Ubuntu using RandR, it’s essential to first identify the names of your monitors. You can do this by running the command xrandr in the terminal. Once you have the names (e.g., HDMI-1 for your landscape monitor and DP-1 for your portrait monitor), you can position them correctly. For putting your primary monitor (in landscape mode) on the left and your secondary monitor (in portrait mode) on the right, you would use the following command: xrandr --output HDMI-1 --auto --output DP-1 --rotate left --right-of HDMI-1. This command sets the HDMI monitor as the primary, ensures it is auto-configured to the desired resolution, rotates the DP monitor to portrait, and positions it to the right of the HDMI monitor.

      Regarding resolutions, it’s crucial to set compatible display settings to avoid overlaps. If one monitor has a different resolution, you can adjust it using xrandr --output HDMI-1 --mode 1920x1080 and xrandr --output DP-1 --mode 1080x1920, ensuring both monitors utilize the correct resolutions without overlapping. For those who prefer a GUI, a great alternative to using RandR from the command line is the ArandR tool, which provides a graphical interface for managing display settings. It’s a simple drag-and-drop interface that lets you arrange your displays, adjust resolutions, and set rotations easily.




    2. Setting Up Multiple Monitors on Ubuntu Using RandR


      Configuring Multiple Monitors with RandR on Ubuntu

      Setting up dual monitors can feel a bit tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll see it’s totally worth it for boosting productivity! So, let’s break down the process step by step.

      Step 1: Check Your Monitor Configuration

      First, open your terminal and run:

      xrandr

      This should list all your connected displays. You’ll see something like HDMI-1 for one monitor and DP-1 for another. Note the names of the displays, as you’ll need them for the next steps.

      Step 2: Setting Up Monitor Positions

      Assuming you want your primary monitor (landscape) on the left and your secondary monitor (portrait) on the right, you can use the following command:

      xrandr --output HDMI-1 --primary --mode 1920x1080 --pos 0x0 --rotate normal --output DP-1 --mode 1080x1920 --pos 1920x0 --rotate right

      Here’s what each part means:

      • --output HDMI-1: Indicates the first monitor (make sure to replace it with your actual monitor name from the xrandr list).
      • --primary: Sets this monitor as your main display.
      • --mode 1920x1080: Sets the resolution for the landscape monitor.
      • --pos 0x0: Positions this monitor at the top-left corner.
      • --rotate normal: Keeps the landscape orientation.
      • --output DP-1: Indicates the second monitor.
      • --mode 1080x1920: Sets the resolution for the portrait monitor.
      • --pos 1920x0: Positions this monitor to the right of the primary monitor.
      • --rotate right: Rotates the portrait monitor.

      Step 3: Adjusting Resolutions

      Changing one monitor’s resolution generally shouldn’t affect the other, but it’s good to keep them in a compatible range to avoid overlaps. Just make sure that the width of the portrait monitor (when rotated) doesn’t exceed the height of your landscape monitor, or it might mess up the layout.

      Step 4: Using a GUI Tool

      If you’re not comfortable with command line, you can use a graphical tool like ARandR. It’s quite user-friendly and works well with RandR. Just install it using:

      sudo apt install arandr

      Once installed, open it, and you can drag-and-drop to position your monitors easily. You can also use it to rotate your monitors. Just click on the monitor, then select “Transform” to rotate!

      Troubleshooting Tips

      • If a monitor isn’t recognized, try disconnecting and reconnecting it or restarting the session.
      • Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date.
      • If positioning looks off, double-check the xrandr command for typos.
      • Sometimes, simply rebooting the system can resolve unexpected issues.

      With these steps, you should be able to configure your setup just the way you want it. Keep experimenting, and soon enough you’ll be a pro at managing multiple displays!


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