To close your laptop and keep using an external monitor in Windows 11, tell Windows to do nothing when the lid closes. Select Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Lid & power button controls, and set Closing the lid will make my PC to Do nothing under Plugged in. On older versions of Windows 11, use Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what closing the lid does. Then plug in the laptop, connect a keyboard and mouse, and close the lid. The picture moves to your monitor.
Applies to: Windows 11 laptops. Checked against Microsoft on September 30, 2026.
What you need
- An external monitor connected with HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C or a docking station. See how to set up multiple monitors in Windows 11 if it isn’t working yet.
- A keyboard and mouse. With the lid closed, you can’t reach the laptop’s own keyboard and touchpad. USB or Bluetooth both work.
- The charger. Keep the laptop plugged in while you work this way.
Step 1: Set the lid to Do nothing when plugged in
In Settings (Windows 11 version 24H2 and later)
- Select Start > Settings > System > Power & battery.
- Select Lid & power button controls.
- Under Plugged in, set Closing the lid will make my PC to Do nothing.
In Control Panel
- Select Start, type Control Panel, and open it.
- Select Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Choose what closing the lid does.
- Next to When I close the lid, choose Do nothing under Plugged in.
- Select Save changes.
Microsoft’s guide sets Do nothing for both On battery and Plugged in. We suggest changing only Plugged in. That way, if you unplug the laptop and close it to take it somewhere, it still goes to sleep instead of running hot in your bag. For more about each lid option, see how to change what happens when you close your laptop lid in Windows 11.
Step 2: Make the monitor your main display
When you close the lid, the laptop’s built-in screen turns off and Windows moves everything to the monitor. Setting the monitor as your main display first keeps the taskbar, Start menu and new windows where you expect them.
- With the lid open, select Start > Settings > System > Display.
- Select the box for your external monitor, usually 2.
- Expand Multiple displays and select Make this my main display.
- Also select Remember window locations based on monitor connection, so your windows go back to the right screen when you reconnect.
Step 3: Close the lid
- Make sure the charger is plugged in.
- Close the lid. The monitor may go black for a moment while Windows moves your windows across.
- Carry on working with your keyboard and mouse.
To use the laptop’s screen again, just open the lid. You don’t need to change any settings.
Keep the laptop running with the lid closed, without a monitor
The same setting lets the laptop keep working with the lid shut, for example to finish a download, play music through speakers, or stay reachable for remote access. Set the lid to Do nothing, keep it plugged in, and leave it somewhere with airflow. The built-in screen always turns off when the lid closes. Only an external monitor stays on.
The laptop can still fall asleep after a while because of the sleep timer, even with the lid set to Do nothing. To keep it awake longer, see how to stop your computer from sleeping in Windows 11.
Tips for working with the lid closed
- Give it air. Many laptops cool partly through the keyboard area. Stand the laptop upright in a stand or leave space around it.
- Shut down or sleep before you pack it. Use Start > Power before you unplug and put the laptop in a bag.
- Use a dock for one-cable setups. A USB-C or Thunderbolt dock can connect the monitor, charger, keyboard and mouse at once.
- Wake it with the keyboard. If the monitor goes to sleep, press a key or move the mouse.
If it doesn’t work
- The monitor goes black when you close the lid. The laptop is going to sleep. Check that the lid is set to Do nothing under Plugged in, and that the charger is actually connected.
- The monitor turns off after a few minutes. That’s the screen timeout. See how to change the screen timeout in Windows 11.
- Windows jump to the wrong screen or shrink. Turn on Remember window locations based on monitor connection in Step 2.
- The monitor says No signal after you close the lid. Press a key on the external keyboard. If that doesn’t help, open the lid, check that the monitor shows up in Settings > System > Display, and try again.
- The setting keeps changing back. On a work or school laptop, your organization may control power settings. Ask your IT department.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad for a laptop to run with the lid closed?
No, as long as it has airflow and is plugged in. Many offices use laptops this way every day with a dock.
Can I use the laptop’s keyboard with the lid closed?
No. You need a separate keyboard and mouse.
Does closing the lid turn off the laptop’s screen?
Yes. The built-in screen always turns off when the lid is closed. Only the external monitor stays on.
Do I need to change anything to open the laptop again?
No. Open the lid and the built-in screen comes back on.
Next steps
On a Windows 10 PC, see how to set up dual monitors in Windows 10. Microsoft explains the lid setting in How to use an external monitor with your laptop closed.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.