Table of Contents

  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 How to Turn Off Laptop Screen When Using HDMI Windows 10
    • 2.1 Technique #1: Power Options
    • 2.2 Technique #2: Screen Resolution
    • 2.3 Technique #3: Command Prompt
    • 2.4 Technique #4: Keyboard Shortcuts
    • 2.5 Technique #5: Use a Pre-Configured Script
  • 3 Final Words

Introduction

When you use an external monitor with an HDMI cable, it becomes an extension of your laptop's screen. However, in most cases, you would only want the external screen to display the output.

If you're watching a movie, video conferencing, or streaming your gaming session in your living room, there's no point in having two screens. This is when you would want to turn off your laptop's screen and have a TV or Monitor as your primary display. You get more screen real estate and you also get to save power and preserve your laptop's battery life.

Also Read: How to Convert Laptop LCD to Desktop Monitor

The following methods will show you how to turn off your laptop screen when using HDMI in Windows 10 on an external display.

How to Turn Off Laptop Screen When Using HDMI Windows 10

How to Turn Off Laptop Screen When Using HDMI Windows 10

Technique #1: Power Options

Inside the Control Panel settings, Power Options is available and helps you to switch off the laptop screen while an external monitor is attached to it.

Power Options

In order to make use of the Power Options you have to access it by:

Part 1) Connect an external monitor via an HDMI cable to the laptop

Part 2) Open the Control Panel, and click on the Hardware & Sound setting, and choose Power Options. Alternatively, if you right-click on the battery icon in the taskbar, you can access Power Options there as well.

Part 3) Select the option to choose what happens to the lid when it closes. Select 'Do nothing' from the menu that is shown. To save the configuration, click on 'Save changes'.

Part 4) Now you're free to close the lid on your laptop! It will not impact the external monitor.

Also Read: How to Overclock a Laptop Monitor

Technique #2: Screen Resolution

The Screen Resolution option in the Windows settings lets you pick which one of your displays you want to show externally.

To access Screen Resolution you need to go to Start > type "Settings" > Display > Advanced Display Settings

Screen Resolution

Part 1) Connect an external display to the laptop through an HDMI cable

Part 2) Right click on your Windows desktop screen and choose 'Screen Resolution'.

Part 3) Click on the 'Identify' button in settings to see whether "1" or "2" is the chosen external display.

Part 4) Once your external display has been identified, select the 'multiple displays' menu, from there you can choose which desktop to display.

Part 5) Once you are done with the steps above your laptop screen will be put to sleep and you'll be able to see your desktop on the external display. Make sure to save the settings once you are done.

Technique #3: Command Prompt

command prompt

Using the command prompt is a bit technical, however it can easily be utilized to quickly configure your laptop to your ideal settings. If you're looking for a convenient technique to display your desktop on an external device, then this is definitely one of them. However, it is a little bit different since it works when you close your laptop lid.

Also Read: How to Replace Laptop Battery Cells

Follow these steps:

Part 1) Connect an external display to your laptop through an HDMI cable

Part 2) Open the 'Run' box (Win + R), and Write in 'cmd', you'll see the Command Prompt option, right click and select run as administrator.

Part 3) Before you type in any commands, you have four options available: 0 (Nothing happens), 1 (Your computer goes to sleep), 2 (computer goes in hibernation mode), 3 (Your computer shuts down)

Remember: These options kick in when you actually close your laptop's lid. So they're basically your lid closing actions.

Use the following commands if you want your laptop to still remain active (without the screen being on) once you close the lid.

Use this one if your laptop is connected to the power source while you are viewing the display externally:

              powercfg/setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_buttonslidaction 0

Use this one if your laptop is NOT connected to the power source (powered by battery instead) while you are viewing the display externally:

              powercfg/setdcvalueindex scheme_current sub_buttonslidaction 0

Technique #4: Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcut

Utilizing keyboard shortcuts is probably the simplest technique to keep your laptop screen off while using an external display. In less than a minute you can change your laptop settings to make your external display your primary screen

Part 1) Connect an external display to the laptop through an HDMI cable

Part 2) On your laptop, hold down the Windows & P keys on the keyboard (Win + P)

Part3) A sidebar menu named 'Project' should show up indicating different display arrangement modes. Select 'Second screen only'

Part 4) The changes should produce results within a couple of seconds. Your desktop will then only display on the external screen.

Technique #5: Use a Pre-Configured Script

Preconfigured Script

A script can help you choose actions for what happens when your laptop screen is turned off. You can download the pre-configured script from Microsoft's website here. This script can help you switch between your laptop and external display frequently, or when you would prefer that your laptop goes to sleep when it turns off instead of staying powered on.

Here is how you can put it to use:

Step 1) Hold down the Windows and R keys together to open the 'Run' box (Win + R), and then click on 'OK' to open the Command Prompt. Type in 'cmd' and then select Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the administrator Command Prompt.

Step 2) Download a script to your 'Downloads' folder.

Step 3) Change the directory in the Command Prompt to where the script has been downloaded, for i.e, 'C : \Windows\system32>cd /d C: \users\Adam\Downloads

Step 4) Write the following commands to choose an action for when the laptop screen is closed:

To choose an action to ''do nothing'' when the screen is closed, write 'lid on', for i.e:

C: \users\Adam\Downloads>lid on (this is the option you need)

To choose an action to ''sleep'' when the screen is closed, write 'lid off', for i.e:

C: \users\Adam\Downloads>lid off

Final Words

So here we are, five solid methods to power your laptop screen off when plugged into an external device. Most of the times people want dual screens, especially when they are doing something technical. However, for those who want their laptop screen to not display anything, the techniques mentioned in this guide will work flawlessly! Good luck.

You may also like:

 How to Overclock a Laptop Monitor

 How to Convert Laptop LCD to Desktop Monitor

How to Replace Laptop Battery Cells