I have a MBA connecting via HDMI to Samsung Monitor. Problem is desktop background for Samsung monitor is not showing. There is only grey desktop and doesn't have any changes even I try to change the image of the desktop at System Preferences. Changes for the MBA desktop is ok. Is that a mountain lion bug?
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I have a somewhat similar setup (MBP and LG external) and haven't seen this problem when switching to Mountain Lion. When you go to the "Desktop & Screen Saver" preferences, does it show you two dialogs...one for the main screen and one for the "Secondary Desktop"?– Phillip MillsAug 5, 2012 at 15:11
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1Grey screen...are you sure you're not running an app in full screen mode?– Samantha CataniaAug 5, 2012 at 15:25
3 Answers
Restarting the Dock seems to work for me, however I don't know what is causing this grey desktop background.
To restart the Dock, type this into Terminal and press enter:
killall Dock
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Worked instantly, great tip. Have been wondering about this for months. Jan 13, 2013 at 22:15
OS X allows you to select different images for each display. When you open the Desktop section in Desktop & Screen Saver Preferences, you should get one dialog on each screen for choosing a desktop image. Each dialog controls only the image for that screen, so make sure you're setting the image you want on both screens.
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1This setting doesn't seem to save if I disconnect and reconnect the second screen (like when I leave from work and take the laptop home but plug it back in tomorrow). Nov 15, 2012 at 14:40
I also experienced this problem and found this workaround:
- Open System Preferences -> Displays -> Arrangements
- switch on "Mirror Displays" and switch it off again
This is no solution for the problem of course, but at least the wallpaper is showing again without rebooting...
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On MacOS Catalina, this is the only solution that worked for me. Oct 1, 2020 at 16:21