For macOS power users and productivity enthusiasts, the app Moom has long been a go-to solution for managing and automating window layouts. Whether arranging Finder, Safari, or terminal windows with precision or snapping applications between displays, Moom’s utility in multi-monitor environments has earned it a loyal following. However, a frustrating issue has recently plagued users who operate with multiple external displays: saved window layout automations not loading correctly—or simply not loading at all.
TL;DR: Users of Moom on macOS with multi-monitor setups have reported a problem where saved window layouts refuse to load correctly, especially after system reboots or external display reconnections. The root of the issue turned out to be corrupted or misconfigured macOS Display Profiles. Resetting or creating a fresh display color profile often resolves the issue, restoring full functionality to Moom. This fix emphasizes how macOS display settings can quietly interfere with third-party productivity tools.
Understanding the Problem
Moom, available through the Mac App Store and popular third-party platforms, allows users to save custom window layouts. These can be triggered via keyboard shortcuts or automatically when monitors are connected. For those in creative fields, programming, or data analysis, saved layouts boost efficiency by restoring app windows to precise positions.
Yet, after macOS updates or monitor unplugging events, many users noticed Moom could no longer recall layouts correctly. On dual or triple monitor setups, windows would appear on incorrect displays, minimize without reason, or not appear at all. In addition, the Moom interface would still display saved layouts—but activating them did nothing.
Symptoms Observed
- Saved layout hotkeys trigger but fail to rearrange windows.
- Layouts load only partially, with some apps positioned incorrectly or off-screen.
- Moom shows all previously saved configurations but doesn’t apply them as expected.
- The issue persists across reboots and macOS updates.
- Some users report the problem only occurs after disconnecting and reconnecting external displays.
Initial Troubleshooting Steps
Users attempted a variety of troubleshooting methods without consistent results:
- Reinstalling Moom.
- Resetting NVRAM/PRAM.
- Resetting Moom configurations and re-saving all layouts.
- Reconnecting monitors in different orders.
- Ensuring accessibility permissions were properly granted.
Despite these efforts, a common thread became apparent: the issue was tied not so much to Moom itself as it was to how macOS identifies and retains display configurations.
Delving Deeper: The Role of Display Profiles
macOS assigns unique identifiers to displays and stores profiles (including color profiles and resolution settings) for each. When these profiles get corrupted or desynchronized—especially after OS upgrades or prolonged use—macOS may treat the same monitor as a “new” display. This causes window automation tools like Moom to malfunction because the layout is tied to display signature IDs that no longer match.
In this case, the culprit was the macOS Display Color Profile. If one monitor had a damaged or non-default color profile, or if the profile changed (even due to hardware or USB-C hub interference), macOS could assign a new identifier to that screen. This broke the link between Moom’s saved layout and the physical display.
The Repair That Fixed It
The solution emerged through a combination of trial, error, and shared experiences on Apple discussion forums. The key steps:
- Go to System Settings > Displays.
- Select a problematic monitor and choose the Color tab.
- Switch the current profile to Color LCD, Generic RGB Profile, or any Apple default.
- If no defaults work, click Open Profile, and then manually delete defective profiles from
/Library/ColorSync/Profilesor~/Library/ColorSync/Profiles. - Log out and log back in or restart your Mac.
Upon relaunching Moom, users found that all previously broken layouts immediately began working. Moom could once again accurately identify each display and reposition windows based on saved layout geometry.
Why Display Profiles Interfere with Window Layouts
Moom encodes layout rules based on internal display UUIDs and identifiers supplied by macOS. When these IDs change—due to a new color profile, resolution tweak, or even GPU/USB-C negotiation during startup—the automatic layout assignment fails. From Moom’s perspective, those displays no longer exist or have changed completely. A default or freshly reset profile ensures macOS maintains consistent display identifiers across restarts.
Permanent Prevention Tips
To avoid recurrence of the issue, regular users of Moom on complex display setups should follow these guidelines:
- Use original manufacturer profiles or Apple’s built-in display profiles only.
- Avoid using third-party apps that create custom display resolutions or profiles (like SwitchResX) unless necessary.
- Keep macOS updated, but verify functionality after each OS upgrade.
- Avoid disconnecting and reconnecting monitors during Mac boot-up or wake-from-sleep.
- Periodically back up Moom’s exported layout files and preferences.
Community Insights and Shared Fixes
Many Moom users shared their experiences on Reddit, Apple’s support forums, and productivity blogs. Although the fix related to display profiles seems obscure, it has resolved the issue for a large subset of users affected by the broken layouts. Some even noted that switching display cables (from HDMI to DisplayPort, for example) triggered similar profile changes, which further confirmed Moom’s sensitivity to these system-level identifiers.
Conclusion
Moom remains one of the best window management tools available for macOS users seeking efficiency and consistency in multi-monitor environments. However, its dependence on macOS’s internal handling of display identities reveals an unusual fragility—one that can be disrupted by something as simple as a malfunctioning color profile. Thankfully, with careful diagnosis and a few proactive steps, users can restore normal behavior and avoid future disruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Q: What causes Moom layouts to stop working after unplugging displays?
A: When monitors are unplugged and replugged, macOS may assign new identifiers if the display profile changes, confusing Moom’s saved layout info. -
Q: Will reinstalling Moom fix the issue?
A: In most cases, no. The issue lies with macOS display profiles, not Moom’s software itself. -
Q: How do I safely change my monitor’s display profile?
A: Go to System Settings > Displays > Color for each monitor and select an Apple-default profile such as “Color LCD” or “Generic RGB.” -
Q: Is there any risk in deleting ColorSync profiles?
A: Only remove custom or third-party profiles. Built-in Apple profiles should not be deleted. Always back up before deletion. -
Q: Can this issue affect other apps besides Moom?
A: Yes. Any app that tracks window positions based on display IDs may experience similar issues, including Rectangle, BetterSnapTool, and Magnet.
