How to Connect and Use External Monitor
Your attempt to use your external monitor with a closed laptop will work if you use the correct display configuration.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Windows PC.
Step 2: Click on System in the sidebar, and click on Display.
Step 3: Click on Identify to detect the assigned digit for the monitor. The digit should appear on the screens.
Step 4: Click on the drop-down menu next to Identify, and select Show only on 1 or Show only on 2 – depending on the number assigned to your external monitor.
Once you do this, the display contents will only be shown on the external monitor.
Here’s how you can ensure that your PC does not go to sleep once you close the lid on your laptop.
How to Use an External Monitor With Laptop Closed
Your Windows PC can keep your laptop active even when the lid is closed under the power options in the Control Panel menu.
Step 1: Open the Control Panel on your Windows PC.
Step 2: Go to Hardware and Sound.
Step 3: Click on Power Options.
Step 4: Click on Choose what closing the lid does in the sidebar.
Step 5: To ensure you can use your external monitor even when the lid is closed on your laptop, click on the drop-down menu next to When I close the lid and select Do nothing.
Step 6: Repeat the same for the Plugged-in mode as well.
Step 7: Click on Save Changes to confirm.
Once you do this, the changes will apply, and you can use your external monitor with your laptop closed.
However, there are a few things to remember when closing your laptop and using an external monitor.
What You Need to Know While Closing Laptop With External Monitor
Here are a few things you need to know while using your external monitor with your laptop closed.
- Obviously, you will need to use an external keyboard and mouse. You cannot use your laptop’s keyboard and touchpad since it will be closed.
- Further, you will also have to use an external webcam.
- To put your PC to sleep or shut it down, you can directly do it from the power menu using the external monitor.
- However, to turn on your PC, you must open your laptop and use the power button.
- Use the right resolution and the correct display scaling options when using an external monitor.
- Since your laptop will still be active even when you close the lid, the speakers of your laptop can act as the audio output device.
Tip: Here’s how to use a laptop as a second monitor
Was this helpful?
Last updated on 29 August, 2024
Read Next
3 Best Ways to Adjust Brightness on External Monitor in Windows 10
One can easily adjust the screen brightness of their Windows 10 laptop or computer using the slider in the Action Center or with buttons on the keyboard.
How to Fix Wi-Fi Stops Working on Windows When an External Monitor Is Connected
Basic Fixes: Check Monitor Cable: Bad connection cables can cause your Wi-Fi to stop working when an external monitor is connected on Windows.
How to Take Screenshots of One Monitor on Windows 11 With a Multi-Monitor Setup
Method 1: PikPick Some screenshot tools allow you to configure their settings so that they will only capture screenshots of one monitor.
3 Ways to Control External Monitor Brightness From Mac
1.
4 Fixes for Macbook Not Outputting in High Refresh Rate to External Monitor
Basic Fixes Restart your Mac: Restarting your Mac often fixes things by refreshing the configuration, solving software glitches, and reinitializing ports.
2 Easy Ways to Use Your Laptop as Second Monitor in Windows 11
Traditionally, when talking about setting up second screens, we focus more on using an external monitor for a dual monitor display.
Top 8 Ways to Fix External Drive Not Showing Up in Disk Management on Windows
Disk Management is a built-in utility on Windows to manage your hard drivers, SSDs, and other external drives.
3 Ways to Fix ‘Not Recognized as an Internal or External Command’ Error in Windows
Basic Fixes Run CMD in admin mode: Some commands require an elevated Command Prompt window to run properly.
The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.
