Getting your laptop to stay on with the lid shut while using an external monitor in Windows 11 isn’t too tricky, but it’s a bit funny how many folks forget to check the power settings or don’t even spot this option. If you’ve ever closed the lid and your machine suddenly goes to sleep or turns off, it’s probably because the default is set to put itself to sleep. The good news is, once you set it up properly, your laptop can run like a proper desktop, no need to keep that lid open or clutter your desk. Just keep in mind, since your laptop stays running after you shut it, it’s a good idea to have some ventilation or a cooling pad to avoid overheating — Windows can be a bit stubborn sometimes, after all.
Windows 11: How to Close Your Laptop and Use an External Monitor
This is handy if you want a tidy workspace or just use your laptop as a desktop without flipping the screen up. Basically, this setup tricks Windows into ignoring the lid closing — keeping your machine on and your external monitor doing the heavy lifting. Perfect for long coding marathons, movie nights, or just avoiding that annoying lid wobble. But yeah, you might want to check your display and power settings first to make sure everything’s set so it keeps going when you shut the lid.
Hook Up Your Monitor
First off, make sure your external monitor is plugged in properly via HDMI, DisplayPort, or whichever cable you’re using. The laptop should spot it automatically, but sometimes Windows can be a bit fussy, especially with adapters or docks. If it’s not showing up, try rebooting or press Windows + P to switch display modes — extend, duplicate, or just the second screen. Also, check if the monitor is set as your main display, so things don’t get a bit confusing.
Get into Power Settings
Instead of wandering through a maze of menus, click the Start menu and type Control Panel. Hit Enter, then go to Hardware and Sound, and click on Power Options. On some setups, you might find this under Settings > System > Power & Battery; Windows 11 keeps changing things around, so don’t be surprised if it’s not in the same spot. The main thing to look for is Choose what closing the lid does — it’s usually in the sidebar or under advanced power options. If you’re comfy with the classic settings, this is where most of the magic happens.
Set the Lid Close Action
Click on Choose what closing the lid does. This is where Windows decides what happens when you shut the lid — sleep, hibernate, shut down, or do nothing. Set it to Do nothing for both On battery and Plugged in. Sounds simple, but sometimes on certain machines, options can be greyed out or change after a reboot, so keep an eye on it. This is the key step — if you don’t change it, your laptop will just sleep or turn off when you close the lid, which defeats the whole idea.
Set to ‘Do Nothing’ and Lock it in
Pick Do nothing for both options. That way, your laptop ignores the lid closing and keeps running whether it’s on battery or plugged in. The external monitor stays on, and you can close the lid without any dramas. After that, hit Save changes. Sometimes, the setting might revert after a restart, so it’s worth double-checking. Also, make sure your user account’s got permission to change these settings. Once it’s all sorted, you can close the lid and keep working on your external display — just make sure those vents aren’t blocked.
After setting this up, give it a go — close the lid and see if the monitor stays active. Sometimes, a driver update or a tweak in your graphics settings might be needed if things act up, but most of the time, this simple fix does the trick.
Tips for Windows 11: How to Close Your Laptop and Use an External Monitor
- Make sure your external monitor is set as the main display in Display Settings (right-click desktop > Display Settings). That way, everything flows smoothly and looks right.
- Use a separate keyboard and mouse if you can — keeping the laptop lid shut doesn’t mean you need to reach around awkwardly.
- Keep your laptop plugged in, especially if it’s going to be running for a long time with the lid closed. No point draining the battery unnecessarily.
- Check that your vents aren’t blocked, especially if you’re doing heavy work — laptops can overheat if they’re crammed into tight spots or kept closed for too long.
- I’d also suggest setting your power plan to High Performance temporarily, so the system doesn’t throttle or snooze unexpectedly. Find this in Settings > System > Power & Battery > Power Mode.
FAQs
Why does my laptop shut down or sleep when I close the lid?
Because Windows defaults to sleep or hibernate, and most laptops come with that set up from the off. Changing the Lid close action is the fix.
Can I run both my laptop screen and an external monitor at the same time?
Definitely — just tweak the display options to extend, duplicate, or use only the second screen. Great for working on multiple things or watching videos while you work.
Will ignoring the lid close action cause any harm?
Not if you keep an eye on airflow and don’t let it overheat. Some laptops are more sensitive than others, so avoid shoving it into a tight space or blocking the vents. Using a cooling pad helps heaps.
Can I do this with a docking station?
Yeah, most docking stations have their own power settings and are designed to keep your laptop running with the lid shut. Just make sure your Power Options are configured as described.
Any risks involved?
Just be mindful of overheating. Keep an eye on temps during your first few runs. Overheating isn’t just bad — it can sort of throttle your system or cause damage over time if it gets too hot.
Summary
- Hook up your external monitor properly (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.)
- Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options
- Select Choose what closing the lid does
- Set both options to Do nothing
- Click Save changes and give it a go
Wrap-up
Once you get these settings sorted, your laptop can run just like a desktop with the lid shut. It’s handy for decluttering your space or setting up a multi-monitor rig, especially if you don’t want your screen staring at you all day. Just don’t forget about airflow — overheating’s a pain and can cause issues. When done right, this little trick makes your workspace neater, easier, and more flexible. Hope this helps keep your workflow smooth as!