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How To Close Laptop And Use Monitor
Sometimes you might want to be able to close your laptop and still use the monitor on Windows, Some times you want to use the second screen with your laptop or maybe the second screen or external screen only.
Typically, Windows will put your laptop into low-power mode when you close the laptop’s lid. You can also configure it to shut down entirely via power settings.
It is usual for the laptops to go on sleep mode when you close the laptop lids, by default. It seems not possible to use external monitor exclusively with the default window settings when you have multiple screens connected. The external monitor will also go blank as soon as you close your laptop’s lid.
So, all you need to do is change few settings in order to use an external screen with laptop lids closed.
When we connect to an external display, we normally use the external display as an extension to the laptop screen. If it is not required and we only use an external display, it would be better to close the laptop lid to save power and extend the laptop battery.
There are number of ways to configure laptop lid settings. The methods we are going to discuss are only applicable to Windows 11, Windows 10, and even Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.
Use External Monitor With Laptop Lid Closed From Windows Power Options
You can configure the laptop lid close action settings from the “Power Options” applet. Here’s how to use an external monitor with your laptop closed:
- Open the Control Panel by typing in “control” in the Run Command box.
- Now go to “Hardware and Sound,” and then “Power Options.”
- Click “Choose what closing the lid does” from the left.
- In both the drop-down menus for “When I close the lid,” select “Do nothing,” and then click “Save changes.”
- Now you can close the laptop and the external monitor will be on and the system will keep running.
Once this setting is configured, your monitor will not shut off when you close the laptop lid. The laptop will not go to sleep when you close its lid.
Use External Monitor With Laptop Lid Closed Using Command Prompt
- Run an elevated Command Prompt.
- Run the following command to set the lid action to “Do nothing” when the laptop is plugged in:
- Next, run the following command to set the lid action to “Do nothing” when the laptop is on battery power:
You may change the integer value at the end of the commands to the following for the associated action:
0 – Do nothing
1 – Sleep
2 – Hibernate
3 – Shut down
Use External Monitor With Laptop Lid Closed Using Command Prompt Script
Using preconfigured to change the actions would help you for closing laptop lids instantaneously. The script was created and then shared on Microsoft Technet Gallery for the public to use.
People who like to change between their settings mostly use command promt script.
Lets see how command promt script is helpful in changing the closing lid
- Download the script first
- Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges and then use the “CD” cmdlet to switch to the directory where the script is stored.
- Now, enter either of the commands to change what closing the lid does:
- To configure the action to “Do nothing” upon closing the lid, enter: lid on To keep PC on when the lid is closed.
- To configure the PC to “Sleep” when the lid is closed, enter: lid off which put the PC to sleep when lid is closed.
Here are some Settings/configurations that you should to use an external monitor when the laptop’s lid is closed:
- Connect the laptop to an external monitor.
- Change display settings to enable 2nd display device.
- Adjust audio settings according to the second screen monitor
Connect Laptop To External Monitor
For connecting your laptop to an external monitor, you need to have a compatible cable. It is better to use HDMI or a display cable which is capable of carrying both videos abd audios. While you can also use other cables to connect to an external display, like VGA or a DVI cable, HDMI is the most used digital port of all and is easily available.
HDMI port connection would be needed by both laptop and monitor. Just insert one side into your laptop and the other into the monitor and everything on your laptop will now be displayed on the external monitor as well.
Change Display Settings To Enable Second Monitor
Modern PCs are able to detect external display, once you have connected them. In case they don’t, you need to configure your display settings to “extend,” “duplicate,” or “mirror” your laptop’s screen.
Window key + P shortcut keys are used in changing display settings
- PC Screen only
- Duplicate
- Extend
- Second screen only
All options are pretty self-explanatory. To connect to an external display and turn off the laptop’s proprietary screen, you will select the fourth option “Second screen only“.
The laptop screen is always the primary screen by default. It will be disabled when the “Second screen only” option is selected.
Adjust the Audio Output Settings for External Monitor
The advantage of using HDMI is that you can also stream audio through the monitor device. For example, if you are connecting an LED TV, it will have the capability of streaming audio in addition to video from the laptop. Just follow the steps below to enable audio through an HDMI device.
- Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar and click “Sound Settings.”
- Now scroll down inside the Settings app and click “More sound settings
- Select “Digital Audio HDMI.”
- Right-click “Digital Audio HDMI” and click on “Set as Default Device.”
- Now you will get the sound from the external monitor provided that it has a speaker or an audio peripheral.
If you want to keep your laptop running all the time then this option will be useful for you. You don’t have to do anything when the lid is closed while laptop is connected. This helps me save power, as well as use external monitors, speakers, keyboards, and mice.
One thing to note here is that if you restart your Windows computer, it will detect and activate the primary screen, which is the laptop screen. The secondary screen will automatically get activated and the laptop screen will be turned off on the logon screen.
It is difficult to start the computer with broken laptop screen. As the laptop will always detect its own screen as the primary display, and will try to activate it until the system is fully booted.
Advantage of using external monitor with closed laptop
As we know that laptops are the basic requirements for students and in jobs but the screen is not large. It is difficult to work whole day on small screen of almost 17 inches.
A monitor next to your laptop increases your screen space, but it has more advantages. For example, to create an ergonomic sitting posture. In this article, we’ll explain the advantages of a monitor next to your laptop.
When you connect a laptop to a monitor, it’ll pretty much change into a small desktop. You’ll have more screen space for work or a game, you can multitask more easily, and create an ergonomic sitting posture while working. You also prevent neck and back complaints after a long working day.
A better layout of your tabs and windows ensure a clearer overview of your work. In addition, a monitor is easy to connect. You can often connect it via an HDMI or USB-C cable. In short, it offers more convenience.
Here are some advantages of using monitors when your laptop is closed
More Room For Windows
Due to the small size of a laptop, you can open fewer windows and tabs side by side. These windows won’t be clearly readable and you’ll have to choose which on you want to display larger.
On a monitor, you’ll have more room for this. A 27-inch monitor has enough room for 3 tabs or windows side by side. That way, you don’t have to switch as often and you can work in an organized way
Better Watching Experience And Ergonomics
A Larger screen automatically provides a better watching experience. You’ll see more of the movie or game, which is also better for your eyes. On a smaller screen, your eyes have to focus more. This can cause strained eyes. On a larger screen, you won’t have this problem. That’s because the monitor takes up more of your field of view.
Charge During Work
During your working day, the battery of your laptop slowly runs out. A monitor with Power Delivery easily solves this problem. You connect the laptop to the monitor via a USB-C cable, that’s all.
A monitor with at least 65W of Power Delivery is often enough. Remember that you laptop needs to have a USB-C port, or that you need an adapter. Otherwise it won’t work.
In addition to a larger screen and better conditions for your eyes, a monitor has more advantages. When you give a presentation, for example. Mirror the image of your laptop on your monitor and have people watch 2 screens at the same time.
Do you want to present something during a video call? Open this on the monitor and make the video call via the laptop. That way, you’ll see everything better instead of on a smaller screen in the call. This is also useful when you’re watching a movie or series. Open it on one screen and keep your socials up to date on the other.
You must have to be careful with your setup as laptops may overheat when the lids are closed and you are not monitoring the temperature. Better to keep the laptop on a cooling pad. You should also ensure that you have configured the Power Options so that the PC does not always keep running.
Why Laptops Are Being Used As Monitor?
If you don’t have a dedicated monitor but have two laptops, it’s always beneficial to attach the two laptop screens together while both the laptops keep running. I can think of several scenarios where dual screen is better than one. For example,
- I want to edit a document where I have to open the document itself and a browser for reference and research.
- I want to keep one screen for videos or chatting while the other screen can be used for my work.
- I can setup alerts for my real-time network monitoring and dedicate one monitor screen to always keep the monitoring app on top.
- There can be several other scenarios that can be beneficial to use a laptop as a monitor.
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