The laptop’s HDMI port gives the ease of connecting the external monitor for display. However, when the external monitor is attached through the HDMI cable, the laptop screen seems insensible. So, one must be interested to know “How To Turn Off Laptop Screen When Using HDMI.”
When using the HDMI external monitor for a comfortable view, be mindful of the laptop’s battery which is continuously draining because the laptop screen is on. The laptop display is useless when you are watching on the bigger external monitor, so it’s better to turn off the laptop screen to save power. Let’s discover the easy techniques for disabling the laptop screen.
How To Turn Off Laptop Screen When Using HDMI?
To turn off the laptop screen when using HDMI, you must navigate the power options in the control panel. It will enable you to choose the desired settings and save them. The other alternative is to utilize the screen resolution in the windows setting. You may also use the keyboard’s shortcut key (Win+p) to disable the laptop screen through some options when using HDMI. Finally, you can use the preconfigured script in the command directory to apply the desired action when closing the laptop lid with the external monitor connected. Command prompt is also applicable for disabling laptop screens, but it’s a bit risky, so better to avoid it unless you are well-versed in technical aspects.
How Do I Disable My Laptop Screen When using HDMI? – 5 Working Methods
We have listed some of the best techniques to turn off the laptop display and continue your work on the external monitor. So let’s get to the details.
Method No. 1: Screen Resolution
You can select the display you want to view from the Screen Resolution. However, you must go to the settings display for further options.
Step 1
The first step in the process is to connect the external monitor through an HDMI cable.
Step 2
Once the HDMI monitor is attached to the laptop, right-click on the desktop screen and select Screen Resolution.
Step 3
The display settings will open after choosing the screen resolution option. Next, click the Identify button to check if 1 or 2 is the external display. After identifying the HDMI monitor, go to the Multiple Displays option and choose the external monitor for display.
Save the settings after completing the above steps.
Method No. 2: Power Setting
The power settings in the control panel allow you to turn off the laptop screen when the HDMI monitor is in use.
Step 1
First, connect the external monitor to the laptop through an HDMI cable.
NOTE: If your laptop suddenly turns off when connected to HDMI, there is a high chance that the HDMI port is faulty or damaged. If this happens, try another HDMI port.
Step 2
Go to the control panel from the search bar and select the Hardware & Sound setting. From the menu, then choose the power option. The other way to navigate the power option is to click the battery icon in the taskbar.
Step 3
The power option will give you further options for ‘what happens when the lid closes.’ First, select the Do Nothing option. Then, click on Save changes to save the settings.
Method No.3: Shortcut Key
You can use the shortcut key to disable the laptop screen when an external monitor is in use.
Step 1
Connect the HDMI monitor to the laptop through the HDMI lead.
Step 2
Once connected, press the Windows & P keys together on your laptop. The Project menu will pop up on the screen. It will show different display arrangement modes.
Step 3
Select the Second Screen Only from the project menu options. It will show the desktop on the external monitor.
TIP: It is easy and quick to turn off the laptop screen when using HDMI.
Method No. 4: Command Prompt
You can utilize the command prompt method to turn off the laptop screen when external HDMI is in use. But first, let’s see how to apply the command prompt mode.
Step 1
Connect your laptop to an external monitor through HDMI.
Step 2
Press the Window and R buttons to open the run box. Write in ‘cmd’ to open the command prompt option. Next, click the right button on the mouse and choose Run as administrator.
Step 3
Before you go for any command, there are four options available:
0: nothing happens
1: sleep mode
2: hibernation mode
3: shut down
Step 4
Now apply these commands if you want to see the desktop on an external monitor when the laptop lid closes:
powercfg/setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_buttonslidaction 0
Use the above command if the laptop is connected to a power source.
powercfg/setdcvalueindex scheme_current sub_buttonslidaction 0
Use this one if the laptop is running on battery.
WARNING: You should be ultra-conscious while using the command prompt as it can corrupt the windows if you apply the wrong command.
Method No. 5: Pre-customized Script
You can download the preconfigured script from Microsoft’s official website, allowing you to choose some commands when the laptop screen turns off. In addition, the script allows the switch from a laptop screen to an external monitor and vice versa.
Step 1
Download the preconfigured script from the official Microsoft website.
Step 2
Open the run box by pressing the windows and R keys together. Next, open the prompt command by selecting ok.
Step 3
Type in a command and press ctrl+shift+enter together for the administrative command prompt. Change the registry in the Command Prompt to where the pre-customized script has been downloaded.
Step 4
Type the following command for the laptop to do nothing when the screen closes:
C: \users\Adam\Downloads>lid on
How To Turn Off Macbook Screen When Using External Monitor
You don’t have to do anything to turn off the MacBook screen when using an external monitor. First, connect the second monitor to your MacBook via a USB C video port or Apple video adapter in some cases. It will show your MacBook screen on the external monitor. Now close the MacBook lid to turn off its screen. However, you must keep the MacBook charging from a power supply. If, due to inactivity, the external screen goes blank, press any key or shake the mouse; it will bring the display back.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Turn Off Laptop Screen When Using External Monitor?
Insert the HDMI cable into the video input port of the monitor and connect the monitor to the power supply.
When the laptop is connected to HDMI, right-click on the screen and go for the display settings of Windows 10. The screen will show the two monitors.
Click detect and select the option Show only on 2 from the menu.
It will transfer the display to the external display, and the laptop screen will turn off.
How To Connect Second Screen To Laptop Without Hdmi
You can easily connect the external display to your laptop without HDMI, only if your laptop supports the USB C video port. You need a double USB c cable. Connect one end of the USB c cable to the USB c video input port of the second monitor and the other to the laptop’s USB c video output port.
Bottom Line
This article has highlighted some quick and easy tips to turn off the laptop screen when using HDMI. There are many instances when you need a bigger screen for efficient business work; you can connect the external display through an HDMI cable easily. However, it is equally important to take care of the laptop’s battery life and save as much power as possible. The above knowledge can help you with that. We hope that the techniques shared work out for you.