If you want to keep using an external monitor with the laptop lid closed, then this article will be handy for you. There is no need to install third-party software since Windows has this option in-built. You can bypass the default setting, Sleep, and choose ‘something else’ or ‘nothing’ while using a laptop with one or multiple external monitors.
Many folks use a multi-monitor setup with a laptop because of the portability. If you are one of them and you do not want to use the laptop screen when using the external monitor, you can close the lid. The problem starts when you close the lid because it puts your computer into Sleep mode. However, changing the default setting makes it possible to continue using the laptop with the lid closed.
Keep using an external monitor with laptop lid closed
To keep using an external monitor with the laptop lid closed on a Windows 11/10 PC, follow these steps-
- Search for the control panel in the Taskbar search box.
- Click on the result.
- Search for power options in the Control Panel.
- Click on Power Options in the result window.
- Click on Choose what closing the lid does option.
- Expand When I close the lid drop-down lists.
- Select Do nothing from both lists.
- Click on the Save changes button.
To know more about these steps, you should keep reading.
At first, you need to open the Control Panel. For that, you can search for “control panel” in the Taskbar search box and click on the respective result. From here, you must open Power Options. To do so, search for “power options” and click on the Power Options on the result page.
Now, you should see an option called Choose what closing the lid does that is visible on the left side.
After clicking this option, you can find a label called When I close the lid.
It allows you to choose actions to perform when your laptop is on battery or plugged into a power source.
By default, both are set to Sleep. You need to expand the drop-down menus and select Do nothing from the list.
At last, click on the Save changes button.
From now onward, you can continue using your laptop without putting it into Sleep mode while closing the lid.
That’s all! I hope it helps.
Read: Wi-Fi connection lost when connected to external monitor.
Can you turn off laptop display when using external monitors?
Yes, you can turn off your laptop’s display while using external monitors. This is usually done through the Multiple displays setting where you can configure the ‘Show only on’ option to disable one screen and use only the other, or by using the Windows + P shortcut to select the ‘Second screen only’ option. Additionally, you can configure the Power Settings to do nothing when the lid is closed, allowing the external monitors to remain active. This setup helps conserve power and avoid distractions from the unused screen.
Why does my monitor turn off when I close my laptop?
When you close your laptop, your external monitor often turns off because laptops are generally configured to enter sleep mode or hibernate by default. This power-saving feature is designed to conserve battery and protect the laptop from overheating when not in use. You can change this behavior in the Control Panel under Power Options by selecting Choose what closing the lid does and setting it to Do nothing. This adjustment allows the laptop to continue running with the external monitor active even when the lid is closed.
Read Next: How to wake Windows laptop from Sleep with lid closed.
