Are you tired of dealing with an external monitor that turns off every time you close your MacBook Pro? You’re not alone. Many MacBook Pro users have reported this issue, and it can be frustrating, especially if you rely on your external monitor for work or other important tasks. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this issue and provide you with some solutions to help you keep your external monitor on even when your MacBook Pro is closed.
Understanding the MacBook Pro’s Sleep Mode
To understand why your external monitor turns off when you close your MacBook Pro, it’s essential to know how the MacBook Pro’s sleep mode works. When you close your MacBook Pro, it goes into sleep mode, which is designed to conserve battery life and reduce power consumption. During sleep mode, the MacBook Pro’s display is turned off, and the computer’s processor is put into a low-power state.
However, the MacBook Pro’s sleep mode can also affect external devices connected to the computer, including external monitors. When the MacBook Pro goes into sleep mode, it can send a signal to the external monitor to turn off, which is why you may see your external monitor turn off when you close your MacBook Pro.
Why Does My External Monitor Turn Off When I Close My MacBook Pro?
There are several reasons why your external monitor may turn off when you close your MacBook Pro. Here are some possible explanations:
- Sleep Mode: As mentioned earlier, the MacBook Pro’s sleep mode can cause the external monitor to turn off. This is because the MacBook Pro sends a signal to the external monitor to turn off when it goes into sleep mode.
- DisplayPort or Thunderbolt Connection: If you’re using a DisplayPort or Thunderbolt connection to connect your external monitor to your MacBook Pro, it may be causing the monitor to turn off when the MacBook Pro is closed. This is because these connections can carry power and data signals, which can be affected by the MacBook Pro’s sleep mode.
- Monitor Settings: The settings on your external monitor may also be causing it to turn off when your MacBook Pro is closed. Some monitors have a setting that allows them to turn off when the connected computer is turned off or goes into sleep mode.
How to Keep Your External Monitor On When Your MacBook Pro is Closed
Fortunately, there are several solutions you can try to keep your external monitor on when your MacBook Pro is closed. Here are a few:
- Adjust Your MacBook Pro’s Sleep Mode Settings: You can adjust your MacBook Pro’s sleep mode settings to prevent it from sending a signal to the external monitor to turn off. To do this, go to System Preferences > Energy Saver, and uncheck the box next to “Put hard disks to sleep when possible.”
- Use a Different Connection: If you’re using a DisplayPort or Thunderbolt connection, try switching to a different connection, such as HDMI or VGA. This may prevent the external monitor from turning off when the MacBook Pro is closed.
- Adjust Your Monitor’s Settings: Check your external monitor’s settings to see if there’s an option to keep it on when the connected computer is turned off or goes into sleep mode. You can usually find this setting in the monitor’s on-screen menu.
Additional Solutions
In addition to the solutions mentioned above, there are a few other things you can try to keep your external monitor on when your MacBook Pro is closed:
- Use a Third-Party App: There are several third-party apps available that can help you keep your external monitor on when your MacBook Pro is closed. These apps work by sending a signal to the external monitor to stay on, even when the MacBook Pro is in sleep mode.
- Use a USB Hub: If you’re using a USB connection to connect your external monitor to your MacBook Pro, try using a USB hub. This can help keep the external monitor on by providing a constant power supply.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several reasons why your external monitor may turn off when you close your MacBook Pro, including the MacBook Pro’s sleep mode, DisplayPort or Thunderbolt connection, and monitor settings. However, there are also several solutions you can try to keep your external monitor on, including adjusting your MacBook Pro’s sleep mode settings, using a different connection, and adjusting your monitor’s settings. By trying out these solutions, you should be able to keep your external monitor on even when your MacBook Pro is closed.
Preventing Your External Monitor from Turning Off in the Future
To prevent your external monitor from turning off in the future, here are a few tips you can follow:
- Regularly Update Your MacBook Pro’s Software: Keeping your MacBook Pro’s software up to date can help prevent issues with your external monitor turning off. Make sure to regularly check for updates and install them as soon as they’re available.
- Use a High-Quality Connection: Using a high-quality connection, such as a DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable, can help prevent issues with your external monitor turning off.
- Adjust Your Monitor’s Settings: Adjusting your monitor’s settings to keep it on when the connected computer is turned off or goes into sleep mode can help prevent it from turning off in the future.
By following these tips, you can help prevent your external monitor from turning off in the future and ensure that it stays on even when your MacBook Pro is closed.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we’ve explored the reasons why your external monitor may turn off when you close your MacBook Pro, and we’ve provided you with several solutions to help you keep it on. By trying out these solutions and following the tips outlined in this article, you should be able to keep your external monitor on even when your MacBook Pro is closed.
Why does my external monitor turn off when I close my MacBook Pro?
When you close your MacBook Pro, it goes into sleep mode or clamshell mode, which can cause your external monitor to turn off. This is because the MacBook Pro is designed to conserve power and resources when it’s not in use. When the laptop is closed, it may not be able to supply power to the external monitor, causing it to shut off.
However, there are some settings and configurations that can prevent this from happening. You can adjust your MacBook Pro’s settings to keep the external monitor on even when the laptop is closed. You can also use third-party software or hardware to keep the monitor on.
How do I keep my external monitor on when I close my MacBook Pro?
To keep your external monitor on when you close your MacBook Pro, you can adjust the laptop’s settings. Go to System Preferences > Energy Saver, and uncheck the box that says “Put hard disks to sleep when possible.” You can also adjust the sleep timer to a longer period or turn off the sleep mode altogether.
Additionally, you can use third-party software or hardware to keep the monitor on. Some software can override the MacBook Pro’s sleep mode and keep the external monitor on. You can also use a hardware device that can supply power to the external monitor even when the MacBook Pro is closed.
What is clamshell mode, and how does it affect my external monitor?
Clamshell mode is a feature on MacBook Pros that allows you to use the laptop with the lid closed. When you close the laptop, it goes into clamshell mode, which can cause the external monitor to turn off. This is because the MacBook Pro is designed to conserve power and resources when it’s not in use.
However, you can adjust the settings to keep the external monitor on even in clamshell mode. You can go to System Preferences > Energy Saver and adjust the settings to keep the monitor on. You can also use third-party software or hardware to keep the monitor on.
Can I use my external monitor as the primary display when my MacBook Pro is closed?
Yes, you can use your external monitor as the primary display when your MacBook Pro is closed. To do this, you need to adjust the display settings on your MacBook Pro. Go to System Preferences > Displays, and select the external monitor as the primary display.
Once you’ve set the external monitor as the primary display, you can close your MacBook Pro, and the external monitor will remain on. You can use the external monitor as the primary display for all your tasks, and the MacBook Pro will remain in clamshell mode.
Why does my external monitor turn off when I close my MacBook Pro, but my keyboard and mouse stay on?
When you close your MacBook Pro, the external monitor may turn off, but the keyboard and mouse may remain on. This is because the MacBook Pro is designed to conserve power and resources when it’s not in use. The keyboard and mouse are low-power devices that don’t consume much power, so they can remain on even when the laptop is closed.
However, the external monitor is a high-power device that consumes more power, so it may turn off when the MacBook Pro is closed. You can adjust the settings to keep the external monitor on, but the keyboard and mouse will remain on regardless of the settings.
Can I use a third-party device to keep my external monitor on when I close my MacBook Pro?
Yes, you can use a third-party device to keep your external monitor on when you close your MacBook Pro. There are several devices available that can supply power to the external monitor even when the MacBook Pro is closed. These devices can override the MacBook Pro’s sleep mode and keep the monitor on.
Some popular options include USB docking stations, display adapters, and monitor hubs. These devices can provide power to the external monitor and keep it on even when the MacBook Pro is closed. You can also use third-party software to keep the monitor on.
Will keeping my external monitor on when I close my MacBook Pro affect the laptop’s battery life?
Keeping your external monitor on when you close your MacBook Pro may affect the laptop’s battery life. The external monitor consumes power, which can drain the MacBook Pro’s battery faster. However, the impact on battery life will depend on the monitor’s power consumption and the MacBook Pro’s settings.
If you adjust the settings to keep the external monitor on, you may need to adjust the sleep timer or the power settings to conserve battery life. You can also use a third-party device to supply power to the external monitor, which can reduce the impact on the MacBook Pro’s battery life.