Auto changed theme is typically partial in multi monitor setup

[avi12]

Description

When the theme changes, typically the one thing that fails to change is the taskbar in my secondary monitor
However, when I right-click ADM's icon tray and then "Try to fix the theme”, it does work

Expected Behavior

The taskbar should also change

Log Data

service.log

Commit Hash, Version and Windows Build

• Commit: 5678573e
• Service/App: 11.0.0.54
• Updater: 4.0.3
• Shell: 1.3.3.0
• .Net: 9.0.8
• Windows: 26200.7462
• Arch: X64

Screenshots / Videos

The secondary monitor is on the left

[Zhou-Ruichen]

I’m seeing something very similar on my machine as well.

How I switch themes

• I use the app’s built-in auto-switch based on latitude/longitude (sunrise/sunset style scheduling), rather than manual switching.

What happens

• The theme/accent updates on the primary display, but the secondary monitor taskbar often keeps the previous color/theme.
• If I right-click the tray icon and choose “Try to fix theme”, the secondary taskbar updates immediately.

Environment

• OS: Windows 11 Home (zh-CN), build 26200 (Insider/preview)
• Device: Lenovo laptop (x64)
• Displays: internal laptop panel + one external monitor via HDMI (DELL P2419H)

Expected

• The secondary taskbar should update at the same time as the primary taskbar during automatic theme changes.

Theme-related registry snapshot (after reproduction)

• HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize:

  • AppsUseLightTheme=1, SystemUsesLightTheme=1, EnableTransparency=1, ColorPrevalence=0

• HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM shows updated accent values (e.g., AccentColor, ColorizationColor, etc.), but the secondary taskbar doesn’t refresh until “Try to fix theme” is used.

I’m not sure if it matters, but Windows “Show my taskbar on all displays” is [ON/OFF — please replace].

[Armin2208]

Yes, making a aggressive DWM refresh helps with that problem (this is what try to fix theme does). You can enable this as default behaviour in Auto Dark Mode Settings Settings.

[sargon2]

Aggressive DWM refresh worked for me for a while, but for the past couple of days it stopped working. I'm still getting the taskbar color only changing on my main monitor and not changing on secondary monitor until I restart explorer.

[Armin2208]

Aggressive DWM refresh worked for me for a while, but for the past couple of days it stopped working. I'm still getting the taskbar color only changing on my main monitor and not changing on secondary monitor until I restart explorer.

Does the feature "Try to fix the theme" you can find in the context menu of the Auto Dark Mode tray icon help with these issues, even though aggressive dwm refresh is enabled?

[sargon2]

Yes, "Try to fix the theme" worked after it failed to switch with aggressive DWM refresh turned on.