diff --git a/src/systems/dashboard/dashboardIntegration.js b/src/systems/dashboard/dashboardIntegration.js
index 7878c08..aa9f816 100644
--- a/src/systems/dashboard/dashboardIntegration.js
+++ b/src/systems/dashboard/dashboardIntegration.js
@@ -104,6 +104,14 @@ export async function initializeDashboard(dependencies) {
         dashboardManager.setDefaultLayout(defaultLayout);
         console.log('[RPG Companion] Default layout set with', defaultLayout.tabs.length, 'tabs');
 
+        // Initialize previousTrackerConfig to enable widget detection on first load
+        // Without this, detectConfigChanges() returns [] because oldConfig is null
+        const settings = dependencies.getExtensionSettings();
+        if (settings?.trackerConfig && dashboardManager) {
+            dashboardManager.previousTrackerConfig = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(settings.trackerConfig));
+            console.log('[RPG Companion] Initialized previousTrackerConfig for widget detection');
+        }
+
         // Set up dashboard event listeners
         setupDashboardEventListeners(dependencies);
 
diff --git a/src/systems/dashboard/dashboardManager.js b/src/systems/dashboard/dashboardManager.js
index 2358e99..56abb18 100644
--- a/src/systems/dashboard/dashboardManager.js
+++ b/src/systems/dashboard/dashboardManager.js
@@ -1439,6 +1439,11 @@ export class DashboardManager {
         console.log('[DashboardManager] Regenerating fresh default layout...');
         this.defaultLayout = generateDefaultDashboard();
 
+        // Reset previousTrackerConfig for fresh widget detection
+        // This ensures the comparison logic works correctly after reset
+        this.previousTrackerConfig = null;
+        console.log('[DashboardManager] Reset previousTrackerConfig for fresh widget detection');
+
         if (!this.defaultLayout) {
             console.warn('[DashboardManager] Failed to generate default layout');
             return;
diff --git a/src/systems/dashboard/defaultLayout.js b/src/systems/dashboard/defaultLayout.js
index 092d169..db994d1 100644
--- a/src/systems/dashboard/defaultLayout.js
+++ b/src/systems/dashboard/defaultLayout.js
@@ -155,14 +155,14 @@ export function generateDefaultDashboard() {
                             maxEvents: 3
                         }
                     },
-                    // Row 6-8: Present Characters (full width, will expand with auto-layout)
+                    // Row 6-10: Present Characters (full width, will expand with auto-layout)
                     {
                         id: 'widget-presentchars',
                         type: 'presentCharacters',
                         x: 0,
                         y: 6,
                         w: 2,
-                        h: 3,
+                        h: 4,
                         config: {
                             cardLayout: 'grid',
                             showThoughtBubbles: true