Windows 10: External monitor looks different than my laptop screen when the lid is closed

This used to not be an issue, but about a month ago, I completely reset my laptop. After the reset, my display has been weird about my laptop lid being closed. You see, whenever I go into fullscreen, my Steam games in particular are the issue, my external monitor needs to search for a signal for a few seconds. My desktop also looks very different, in terms of locations of icons, size of icons, and size of taskbar when my laptop lid is shut. However, this does not happen when my laptop is connected but the lid is open. Anyways, I need to know a way that I could make it so my laptop, when the lid is shut and it's connected to my external monitor, projects the EXACT screen on to the external monitor that would be on the laptop if I was just using it disconnected from my monitor.


System: Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 1st Gen

OS: Windows 10 ver 1909

Dock: ThinkPad Dock My laptop is always docked, not just connected by HDMI/VGA/DisplayPort

Currently I have my lid settings to "Do nothing" when I close the lid both plugged in and unplugged. My Project settings are set to "PC Screen Only".

:)

 

Close laptop lid - external monitor

Yep. The computer remained and I could use the external monitor. But all windows on the laptop screen moved over. Currently when the lid is closed, the windows remain on the laptop screen which is then "off"

 

Monitor settings when close laptop lid

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

In order to get clarity and to assist you accordingly, we would need some information.

1. What is the version and
   build of you operating system? In the Search box, type
   winver to get this info.
   
2. May I know the Make and the model of the computer and external monitor?
   
3. Are you aware of any changes made on your computer before this issue occurred?
   

We also suggest following the steps below and check if it makes any difference.

Since you are facing issue with the Secondary monitor, I would suggest you to
Troubleshoot external monitor connections in Windows 10
and check if it fixes the issue.

Additionally refer this article on Second
screen or Projector mode does not persist after you close and reopen a laptop lid.

I look forward to your reply.

Thanks,

Suman.B

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

Closing laptop lid shuts down external monitor

I have a laptop, (Windows 10) with an external monitor. Whenever I close the laptop lid after powering up the computer the monitor goes dark. How can I power up, close the lid and keep the monitor live?