Windows 10: Why does my laptop go black after connecting to external monitor?

Everytime i connect my external monitor to my laptop by usb my laptop screen goes black and my external monitor freezes. When I disconnect it and reconnect it my laptop stays on a black screen and my external screen too.To fix it ive been shutting down my computer and restarting it with my external monitor connected to it but i know thats not good for my computer and im really annoyed. So does anyone know how to fix it?

:)

 

Surface Laptop 3 with external monitor

Hi All,

Has anyone come across an issue with an external monitor blacking out while connected to a Surface Laptop 3? I have the laptop connected to a widescreen laptop with the Surface Dock. Both work fine however, once every hour or so the external monitor blacks out and comes back.

I've completed the following:

• Updated laptop drivers and firmware
  • Updated monitor drivers
  • Swapped out monitor

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Laptop screen will only work once it has been connected to an external monitor, even if that monitor is switched off

Having an issue whereby I cannot see or use the Laptop screen without first plugging it into an external monitor.

• 
  Upon Windows startup unconnected to any external monitor
  
  • 
    DELL opening logo can be seen on Laptop screen
    
  • 
    Screen goes black with backlight
    
  • 
    Mouse pointer can be seen onscreen if moved to the right, as though a second monitor is connected on the left hand side.
    
  • 
    Attempting to press enter and type in password in the correct order as though the screen was functional does not do anything
    
• 
  Upon connecting to an external monitor (even if switched off)
  
  • 
    Laptop screen will suddenly appear, all functionality restored
    
• 
  Upon disconnecting again from external monitor
  
  • 
    Laptop screen remains visible and functional
    
  • 
    Lock screen /unlock screen no problem
    
• 
  Upon shutting and opening the laptop lid
  
  • 
    Screen black with backlight, same results as windows startup, mouse pointer can be seen and moved as though a second screen is connected on the left
    
  • 
    No functionality until reconnected, even for a second, with an external monitor.
    

Troubleshooting:

• 
  Restarting multiple times, checking multiple display screen is not activated:
  
• 
  

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connection problems External Monitor for laptop

If you're trying to use a wired external monitor is it connected to the laptop's HDMI output connector or the mini DisplayPort connector?

If you're using a wired external monitor and don't see any output, right-click on an empty spot on the Desktop and select Screen Resolution -> Detect

In addition, you may need to press the F7 key and select the mode in which the display will function. There are 4 modes:

• Disconnect (or Computer only): display only on the laptop's screen
• Duplicate: the same display on the laptop's screen and the external monitor
• Extend: extends the output so that you can drag things from one screen to the other
• Projector only (or Second Screen Only): displays only on the external monitor

Or are you trying to use wireless (Wi-Di or Miracast)?