Chromium Kiosk Mode On Dual Monitors Portrait Mode Setup With Xrandr

Jul 9, 2025 by stackftunila 69 views

Configuring Chromium Kiosk Mode Across Dual Monitors in Portrait Mode (1080x1920)

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of setting up Chromium kiosk mode across dual monitors, both configured in portrait mode with a resolution of 1080x1920, and stacked vertically using xrandr. This setup is particularly useful for digital signage, information displays, or any application requiring a continuous, vertically oriented display surface. The process involves configuring the display settings, setting up Chromium in kiosk mode, and ensuring the application spans across both monitors seamlessly. Whether you are a seasoned system administrator or a curious enthusiast, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and steps necessary to achieve this configuration. We will explore the underlying concepts, the specific commands, and the troubleshooting techniques to ensure a smooth and successful implementation. Let's embark on this journey of transforming your dual-monitor setup into a powerful, vertically stacked display solution.

Understanding the Fundamentals

Before we dive into the practical steps, it's crucial to understand the fundamental concepts involved in setting up Chromium kiosk mode across dual monitors in portrait mode. This involves grasping the role of xrandr, the configuration options for Chromium, and the implications of portrait mode on display resolution and arrangement. Understanding these concepts will not only help you implement the setup successfully but also enable you to troubleshoot any issues that may arise along the way.

xrandr: The Display Configuration Tool

xrandr, which stands for X Resize and Rotate, is a command-line utility used to manage monitor configurations in Unix-like operating systems, particularly those using the X Window System. It allows you to query the current display settings, detect connected monitors, and configure their resolutions, orientations, and positions. xrandr is an essential tool for setting up dual monitors in portrait mode and stacking them vertically because it provides the necessary commands to rotate the displays and arrange them as needed. With xrandr, you can easily define how your monitors are positioned relative to each other, ensuring a seamless transition between the two screens. Its versatility and command-line interface make it a powerful tool for customizing your display setup, whether for extended desktop environments or specialized kiosk applications. Mastering xrandr is key to achieving a dual-monitor configuration that meets your specific requirements, providing the flexibility to adapt your display setup to various use cases and preferences.

Chromium Kiosk Mode: A Dedicated Display Solution

Chromium kiosk mode is a specialized configuration of the Chromium web browser designed to provide a locked-down, single-application experience. In this mode, the browser runs in full-screen, disabling standard browser controls like the address bar, menus, and extensions. This makes it ideal for digital signage, public terminals, or dedicated displays where a single web application needs to run continuously without user interference. Chromium kiosk mode ensures that the browser focuses solely on the intended content, preventing users from navigating to other websites or applications. This focused environment enhances security and prevents unauthorized access or tampering. By using command-line flags, you can customize the behavior of Chromium in kiosk mode, such as specifying the URL to load, disabling scrollbars, or preventing the display from sleeping. These options allow you to tailor the kiosk experience to your exact needs, creating a reliable and user-friendly interface for specific applications. Chromium kiosk mode is a powerful tool for creating a dedicated and secure display environment, ensuring that your content remains the primary focus.

Portrait Mode: Adjusting the Display Orientation

Portrait mode is a display orientation where the height of the screen is greater than its width, as opposed to the standard landscape mode where the width is greater. In the context of monitors, portrait mode is achieved by physically rotating the display by 90 degrees, and then configuring the operating system to match the new orientation. This configuration is particularly useful for displaying long documents, web pages, or any content that benefits from vertical screen space. When using dual monitors in portrait mode, you effectively increase the vertical resolution, creating a taller display area. This can enhance productivity by allowing you to view more content at once, reducing the need for scrolling. However, setting up portrait mode requires careful configuration of display settings and may involve adjusting the monitor's physical stand or mount to accommodate the new orientation. Once configured, portrait mode can significantly improve the usability of your display setup, especially for tasks that benefit from vertical screen real estate.

Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring Dual Monitors in Portrait Mode

Now, let's walk through the practical steps involved in setting up dual monitors in portrait mode, stacking them vertically, and configuring Chromium kiosk mode to span across both displays. This process involves using xrandr to manage the display settings and configuring Chromium to run in kiosk mode with the desired settings. By following these steps, you'll be able to create a seamless, vertically stacked display solution for your specific needs.

Step 1: Rotating Monitors to Portrait Mode using xrandr

The first step in configuring your dual monitors is to rotate them to portrait mode using xrandr. This involves identifying the names of your monitors and then using the xrandr command to rotate their orientation. Here's how you can do it:

Open a terminal.
Run the command xrandr to list the connected monitors and their current configurations. This command will display information about your monitors, including their names (e.g., HDMI-1, VGA-1) and current resolutions.
Identify the names of the two monitors you want to configure. For example, let's assume the monitors are named HDMI-1 and VGA-1.
Use the following commands to rotate the monitors to portrait mode:
```
xrandr --output HDMI-1 --rotate left
xrandr --output VGA-1 --rotate left
```
These commands rotate both monitors 90 degrees to the left, effectively putting them in portrait mode. If you prefer a different orientation, you can use --rotate right, --rotate inverted, or --rotate normal instead.
Verify that the monitors are rotated correctly. You should see the display content oriented in portrait mode on both screens.

Rotating the monitors to portrait mode is a crucial first step in creating your vertically stacked display setup. Once the monitors are rotated, you can proceed to the next step, which involves positioning them correctly using xrandr.

Step 2: Stacking Monitors Vertically with xrandr

After rotating the monitors to portrait mode, the next step is to stack them vertically using xrandr. This involves positioning one monitor above the other, creating a single, continuous display surface. Here's how you can stack your monitors vertically:

Determine which monitor will be the primary monitor (the one positioned at the top) and which will be the secondary monitor (the one positioned at the bottom). This choice depends on your preference and the physical arrangement of your monitors.
Use the following commands to position the monitors vertically. Assuming HDMI-1 is the primary monitor and VGA-1 is the secondary monitor, the commands would be:
```
xrandr --output VGA-1 --below HDMI-1
```
This command positions VGA-1 below HDMI-1. If you want to position HDMI-1 below VGA-1, you would use --output HDMI-1 --below VGA-1 instead.
Verify that the monitors are stacked vertically as intended. You should see the display content spanning across both screens, with one monitor positioned directly above the other.
Adjust the positions if necessary. You can use other xrandr options such as --right-of, --left-of, or --same-as to fine-tune the monitor arrangement.

Stacking the monitors vertically is essential for creating a seamless display surface for your kiosk application. Once the monitors are correctly positioned, you can move on to configuring Chromium kiosk mode to span across both displays.

Step 3: Configuring Chromium Kiosk Mode to Span Dual Monitors

With the monitors rotated and stacked vertically, the final step is to configure Chromium kiosk mode to span across both displays. This involves launching Chromium with specific command-line flags that enable kiosk mode and specify the display settings. Here's how you can configure Chromium kiosk mode:

Open a terminal.
Use the following command to launch Chromium in kiosk mode, spanning across both monitors:
```
chromium-browser --kiosk --start-fullscreen --display=:0.0 --window-position=0,0 <your_url>
```
Replace <your_url> with the URL of the web application you want to display in kiosk mode. Let's break down the command:
- --kiosk: This flag enables kiosk mode, disabling standard browser controls.
- --start-fullscreen: This flag ensures that Chromium runs in full-screen mode.
- --display=:0.0: This flag specifies the X display to use. :0.0 is the default display.
- --window-position=0,0: This flag sets the initial position of the Chromium window to the top-left corner of the combined display.
If you are using two monitors with a combined resolution of 1080x3840 (1080x1920 for each monitor), you might need to adjust the --window-size flag to match the combined resolution. However, in most cases, Chromium will automatically detect the combined resolution when running in full-screen mode.
Verify that Chromium launches in kiosk mode and spans across both monitors, displaying the specified web application. The application should fill the entire display surface without any gaps or overlaps.

Configuring Chromium kiosk mode to span dual monitors creates a seamless and dedicated display environment for your web application. By following these steps, you can ensure that your application runs smoothly across both screens, providing a consistent and engaging user experience.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Setting up Chromium kiosk mode across dual monitors in portrait mode can sometimes present challenges. Here are some common issues and their solutions to help you troubleshoot your setup:

Issue 1: Monitors Not Rotating Correctly

Problem: The monitors do not rotate to portrait mode after using the xrandr commands.

Solution:

Check Monitor Names: Ensure that you are using the correct monitor names in the xrandr commands. Use the xrandr command without any options to list the connected monitors and their names.
Verify Driver Support: Make sure your graphics drivers support rotation. If you are using proprietary drivers (e.g., NVIDIA or AMD), ensure they are correctly installed and configured.
Permissions: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to modify display settings. You may need to run the xrandr commands with sudo if you encounter permission issues.

Issue 2: Monitors Not Stacking Vertically

Problem: The monitors do not stack vertically after using the xrandr commands.

Solution:

Check Monitor Positions: Verify that you are using the correct --below, --above, --right-of, or --left-of options in the xrandr commands to position the monitors relative to each other.
Primary Monitor: Ensure that you have correctly identified the primary monitor. The positioning of the secondary monitor is relative to the primary monitor.
Resolution Compatibility: Check if the resolutions of the monitors are compatible. Mismatched resolutions can sometimes cause issues with stacking.

Issue 3: Chromium Not Spanning Across Both Monitors

Problem: Chromium launches in kiosk mode but only displays on one monitor or does not span across both monitors.

Solution:

Window Position: Ensure that the --window-position=0,0 flag is used in the Chromium launch command. This sets the initial position of the Chromium window to the top-left corner of the combined display.
Full-Screen Mode: Verify that the --start-fullscreen flag is used to ensure Chromium runs in full-screen mode.
Display Variable: Check the DISPLAY environment variable. You can set it explicitly before launching Chromium: export DISPLAY=:0.0.
Combined Resolution: If necessary, try using the --window-size flag to specify the combined resolution of the dual monitors. For example, if each monitor is 1080x1920, the combined resolution is 1080x3840.

Issue 4: Performance Issues

Problem: Chromium runs slowly or exhibits performance issues when spanning across dual monitors.

Solution:

Hardware Acceleration: Ensure that hardware acceleration is enabled in Chromium. You can check this in Chromium's settings under "Advanced" -> "System" -> "Use hardware acceleration when available."
Graphics Drivers: Update your graphics drivers to the latest version. Outdated drivers can cause performance issues.
Resource Usage: Monitor the system's resource usage (CPU, memory) to identify any bottlenecks. Close unnecessary applications to free up resources.

Issue 5: Persistent Configuration

Problem: The monitor configuration resets after a reboot.

Solution:

xrandr Script: Create a script that runs the xrandr commands automatically at startup. You can add this script to your system's startup applications or use a display manager's configuration options.
Display Manager Configuration: Some display managers (e.g., LightDM, GDM) have built-in options to configure monitor settings persistently.

By addressing these common issues and their solutions, you can ensure a smooth and reliable setup for Chromium kiosk mode across dual monitors in portrait mode. Troubleshooting is a critical part of the configuration process, and understanding these solutions will help you overcome any challenges you may encounter.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting up Chromium kiosk mode across dual monitors in portrait mode, stacked vertically using xrandr, is a powerful way to create a dedicated display solution for various applications. This configuration enhances the user experience by providing a seamless, vertically oriented display surface, ideal for digital signage, information kiosks, and other specialized use cases. Throughout this guide, we have explored the fundamental concepts, the step-by-step process, and the troubleshooting techniques necessary to achieve this setup. We began by understanding the roles of xrandr for display configuration and Chromium kiosk mode for creating a locked-down, single-application environment. We then walked through the practical steps of rotating monitors to portrait mode, stacking them vertically, and configuring Chromium to span across both displays. By following these steps, you can transform your dual-monitor setup into a cohesive and efficient display solution. Additionally, we addressed common issues that may arise during the configuration process, providing solutions to ensure a smooth and reliable setup. By mastering these techniques, you can confidently deploy dual-monitor kiosk systems that meet your specific needs. The combination of xrandr and Chromium kiosk mode offers a flexible and robust platform for creating engaging and informative displays, making it a valuable tool for both personal and professional applications.