Use the External Monitor with Closed Windows Laptop and MacBook｜Guide for Disabling Default Sleep Mode while Lid Closed
2025/02/20 ｜By G Editor
Most laptops automatically go into sleep mode when the lid is closed, which is the default setting for both Windows and MacBooks and most users expect. However, for users who often use the external monitor with the laptop for dual-monitor applications, in some special cases, they would like to close the lid of the laptop and operate the system on the external monitor immediately.
These scenarios include:
1. Binge watch on a large monitor：When a laptop is connected to an external large monitor for binge watching, it provides a better viewing experience without a distraction of the laptop screen.
2. Slide show：When playing a business slide show on an external large screen, the instructor will close the lid of the laptop in order to focus on the presentation.
3. Insufficient desktop space：When the desktop is too small to accommodate both large monitor and laptop, closing and put the laptop away can save space.
4. Focus on details：When editing videos, 3D modelling or other applications that require zooming on a large screen for detailed operation, you can focus on a single screen.
In any of the above cases, both Windows laptops and MacBooks can be set to not enter sleep mode when the lid is closed.
Before setting up, please make sure the following conditions are met :
1. Make sure the notebook is connected to a power adapter.
2. The laptop is connected to an external monitor.
3. A Bluetooth keyboard or mouse is connected to the laptop for operation on the external monitor.
4. It is recommended to set the external monitor to "Extended Mode". You do not have to switch the display mode when you close the laptop temporarily to use the external monitor.
˙ For how to set up dual monitors, please refer to➜ Windows 11 Settings of Extending Displays/ Set an extended display in Mac OS
Settings of Preventing a Windows Laptop from sleep on Closed lid
◎ Windows 11/10 setting method:
1. Open the "Control Panel".
If you don't know how to open the control panel, you can type "control panel" in the search box on the start menu, and then click "control panel" in the search results.
2. Click "Power Options". (Please change the "View by" to "Small Icon" in the upper right corner)
3. Click "Choose what closing the lid does" on the left side of the "Power Options" page.
4. Set the options of "When I close the lid"
There will be two situations: "On Battery" and "Plugged In". Change the option of "Plugged In" to "Do nothing" and click to save the changes.
✪ Tip: When a laptop is connected to an external monitor, it is usually connected to a power supply. Therefore, it is recommended to set "Sleep" for "On Battery" and "Do nothing" for "Plugged in".
Settings of Preventing a MacBook from Sleep on Closed Lid
◎ macOS setting method:
➽ Change Battery settings
1. Open the Apple menu and enter "System Settings" and click "Battery".
2. Drag to the bottom of the menu, click "Options", turn on "Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter when the display is off", and press the "Done" button to complete the setting.
Note: macOS must remain in charged status to output video signals to the external monitor.
If you want to output MacBook to an external monitor when it is not connected to a power supply, you shall choose an external monitor with reverse power supply function.
➽ Change "Lock Screen" Settings
1. Open the Apple menu and go to "Lock Screen".
2. Set "Start Screen Saver when inactive" to "Never".
3. Set "Turn display off on power adapter when inactive" to "Never".
◎ How to disable sleep mode in macOS Monterey or the previous versions:
1. Go to "System Preferences" ➜ "Battery" or "Energy Saver" ➜ "Power Adapter".
2. Drag the slider under "Turn display off after:" to the far right to select "Never".
3. Check "Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off".
Note: For detailed settings of each version of macOS, please refer to ➜ Apple official operating manual.
Conclusion
Through the above steps, both Windows laptops and MacBooks can keep running with the lid closed, allowing you work solely on the external screen.
