Extend GNOME 3 Panel to Dual Monitors

To extend the GNOME 3 top panel across both monitors in a dual-display setup, you need to install and configure an extension such as Dash to Panel or Panel Workspace Scroll, because the default GNOME Shell does not support panel spanning. This article explains why the limitation exists, how to work around it, and what to expect from each solution.

Why GNOME 3’s Panel Doesn’t Span by Default

GNOME 3 redesigned the desktop around a single top bar that acts as a global menu, clock, and system status area. Unlike older GNOME 2 or Windows, the shell intentionally keeps one panel to reduce visual clutter and to unify activities, app menus, and notifications in one place. The GNOME developers have not added a built-in option to duplicate or extend this bar to a second monitor, as they consider the single-bar design a core part of the shell’s identity. This is a deliberate design choice, not a bug, so you won’t find a toggle in the default settings app.

How the Panel Works with Multiple Monitors

When you connect a second display, GNOME Shell places the top panel only on the primary monitor (the one marked as “Primary Display” in Settings > Displays). The secondary monitor shows just the wallpaper and any windows you drag there. The Activities hot corner, app menu, and system tray remain on the primary screen. If you want the panel on the other monitor, you can switch the primary display in the Displays settings, but that moves the entire panel rather than extending it. To have a panel on both screens simultaneously, you must use an extension that creates a second bar or duplicates the existing one.

Solutions: Extensions That Add a Second Panel

Extensions are small add-ons that modify GNOME Shell’s behavior. They are installed through the official GNOME Extensions website or your distribution’s package manager. The most popular options for dual-panel setups are:

• Dash to Panel: This extension transforms the top bar into a taskbar-like panel and can be configured to show on all monitors. It integrates the dash (favorites), running apps, and system tray into one bar. In its settings, under the “Behavior” tab, you’ll find an option called “Show on all monitors” which, when enabled, creates a panel on every display.
• Panel Workspace Scroll: This lightweight extension lets you scroll on the panel to switch workspaces, but it doesn’t add a second bar. It’s useful if you want to control workspaces from the secondary monitor’s panel, but you still need another extension to create that panel.
• Multi Monitors Add-On: This extension adds a panel to each monitor with a simplified set of indicators (clock, workspace, etc.). It’s more minimal than Dash to Panel but specifically designed for multi-monitor setups.

For most users, Dash to Panel is the most feature-rich and actively maintained option. It gives you per-monitor panels, customization of panel position (top, bottom, left, right), and the ability to choose which elements appear on each screen.

How to Install and Configure Dash to Panel

Follow these steps to get a panel on both monitors:

1. Open your web browser and go to extensions.gnome.org.
2. Ensure you have the GNOME Shell integration add-on installed for your browser (it will prompt you if not).
3. Search for “Dash to Panel” and toggle the switch to install it. If the switch is greyed out, you may need to install gnome-shell-extensions or chrome-gnome-shell from your distribution’s repository.
4. After installation, open the Extensions app (or run gnome-extensions-app) and find Dash to Panel. Click the gear icon to open its settings.
5. In the settings, go to the Behavior tab.
6. Look for the checkbox labeled Show on all monitors and enable it.
7. Close the settings. You should now see a panel on each monitor. You can further customize each panel’s appearance in the same settings window.

If you prefer not to use a browser extension, you can install Dash to Panel via your package manager (e.g., sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-panel on Debian/Ubuntu) and then enable it with the Extensions app.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Users often encounter a few issues when trying to extend the panel:

• Extension not working after a GNOME update: GNOME Shell updates can break extensions. Check the extension’s page on extensions.gnome.org to see if it supports your GNOME version. You may need to update the extension or wait for the developer to release a compatibility patch.
• Panel appears on the wrong monitor: If the panel shows on the monitor you don’t want, go to Settings > Displays and set the desired monitor as the primary display. Dash to Panel will follow the primary display for the main panel, but the “Show on all monitors” option should still place a panel on the secondary screen.
• Panel is too crowded on the secondary monitor: You can customize which elements appear on each panel. In Dash to Panel’s settings, under the “Fine-tune” tab, you can disable the app menu, clock, or system tray on the secondary panel by unchecking the corresponding boxes.
• Extensions not working on Wayland: Some older extensions may not support Wayland. If you’re on Wayland, try switching to Xorg at the login screen (the gear icon before entering your password) to see if that resolves the issue. Most modern extensions, including Dash to Panel, now support Wayland.

Alternatives to Extensions

If you prefer not to use extensions, there are a couple of other approaches:

• Change the primary display: Simply set the monitor you want the panel on as the primary display. This doesn’t give you a panel on both, but it moves the panel to the other screen. This is a zero-install option if you only need the panel on one specific monitor.
• Use a different desktop environment: If you need multi-panel support out of the box, consider using a more traditional desktop like Cinnamon (which is based on GNOME 3 but has a different shell) or KDE Plasma. Both allow you to add multiple panels easily. However, this is a larger change than just installing an extension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a different panel on each monitor?

Yes, with Dash to Panel you can customize each panel independently. In the extension’s settings, you can select which monitor to configure (using the “Monitor” dropdown) and then change the panel’s position, size, and which elements are shown. This allows you to have a full taskbar on one screen and a minimal clock-only panel on the other.

Will the extension slow down my system?

Extensions run as JavaScript within GNOME Shell and can have a small performance impact. Dash to Panel is generally lightweight, but if you have a very old machine, you might notice a slight delay when opening the Activities overview or switching workspaces. If performance is a concern, try the lighter Multi Monitors Add-On instead.

Does this work on GNOME 40 and later?

Yes, Dash to Panel has been updated to support GNOME 40, 41, 42, and later versions. Always check the extension’s compatibility on the GNOME Extensions website, as the version number must match your GNOME Shell version. If you’re on a rolling-release distro like Arch, the extension may break temporarily after a major GNOME update until the developer releases a fix.

How do I uninstall the extension if I don’t like it?

You can disable or remove the extension through the Extensions app. Simply toggle the switch off to disable it, or click the gear icon and choose “Uninstall” to remove it completely. You can also uninstall it via your package manager if you installed it that way.

Why is the panel not showing on the second monitor after enabling “Show on all monitors”?

This can happen if the extension didn’t reload after changing the setting. Try logging out and back in, or restarting GNOME Shell by pressing Alt+F2, typing r, and pressing Enter (this works on Xorg, not Wayland). If that doesn’t help, check that your second monitor is actually recognized by the system (Settings > Displays) and that the extension is enabled.

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