How to Reset Column Widths in htop on Ubuntu

This guide explains how to reset column widths in htop on Ubuntu. When monitoring system resources, customized column sizes can sometimes become difficult to read. You will learn the specific steps required to restore the default layout quickly without needing to reinstall the software.

There is no direct key command to auto-fit or reset column widths within the active htop interface. To restore the default column widths, you must reset the htop configuration file. Follow these steps to complete the process.

First, exit the htop application by pressing the q key on your keyboard. This ensures that no new settings are saved during the reset process.

Next, open your terminal and delete the existing htop configuration file. Run the following command to remove the file stored in your home directory:

rm ~/.config/htop/htoprc

This command removes the saved layout settings, including any custom column widths or orders you previously configured.

Finally, launch htop again by typing htop in the terminal and pressing Enter. The application will generate a new default configuration file, and all column widths will be restored to their original state.

To prevent accidental changes in the future, avoid saving settings unless necessary. You can access the setup menu at any time by pressing F2 to manage visible columns without altering their default widths permanently.