How to Keep Your Monitor On When Your Laptop is Closed in Windows 11
Understanding the Need
Many users require a way to keep their monitors on when their laptop is closed, particularly when connecting to external displays, docking stations, or when using their laptops as pseudo-desktops. In Windows 11, this functionality is essential for those looking to maximize their productivity without the need for an open laptop. Here’s a practical guide to making that happen.
Step-by-Step Configuration
Keep your monitor on when your laptop lid is closed by tweaking a few settings in Windows 11.
Access Power Options
First, go to Windows 11 ‘Control Panel’. You can do this by searching for ‘Control Panel’ in your start menu or by using the ‘Run’ dialog (Win + R) and typing ‘control panel’. Once you’re in, look for the ‘Hardware and Sound’ settings.
Change What Closing the Lid Does
Within ‘Hardware and Sound’, select ‘Power Options’. Next to the current power plan, click on ‘Choose what closing the lid does’.
Adjust Settings
In the ‘System Settings’, you’ll find options for ‘When I close the lid’. Here, you can choose different actions for ‘On battery’ and ‘Plugged in’. To keep your monitor on, select ‘Do nothing’ from the dropdown menu for both options if you wish for this behavior regardless of power source.
Save Changes
After selecting ‘Do nothing’, don’t forget to click ‘Save changes’ to apply your new settings. Your laptop should now maintain output to your monitor even when the lid is closed.
Conclusion
By ensuring that Windows 11 does not go to sleep or hibernate when the laptop is closed, users can take advantage of a continuous workflow that may enhance productivity. Remember, having an always-on monitor setup can increase power consumption, so consider your laptop’s battery life when away from a power source.
Contact Information
If you encounter any trouble or require further assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to me at tracy@valadilene.org. I am here to help make technology less intimidating with straightforward and practical solutions.
My mission with Valadilene.org is making tech accessible for everyone, so let’s navigate the complexities of technology together.