How do I get the external monitor to turn OFF when the MacBook Air's lid is closed and the MBA is connected to power?

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wilsoncpu Author

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How do I get the external monitor to turn OFF when the MacBook Air's lid is closed and the MBA is connected to power?

Normally, when the MBA is connected to power, an external monitor will stay ON when the lid is closed.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jul 17, 2025 9:51 AM

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Answer 1

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wilsoncpu Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 17, 2025 12:05 PM in response to neuroanatomist

OK, so there's not a setting (like under Settings->Displays or similar) for that. It's a two-step process: first put the Mac to Sleep, which puts the Mac AND the external display to sleep, THEN close the lid. Got it.

I understand that the clamshell mode is intended to leave the external monitor on by default; that makes sense, and can be kind of cool. But I just figured there must be a configuration option so I could opt-out of that behavior. Apparently, that's a big NOPE.

Thanks for the response, I can stop looking for this mythical setting!

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Answer 2

Jul 17, 2025 11:41 AM in response to wilsoncpu

If you have an external monitor, external keyboard and pointing device (trackpad or mouse) connected and close the lid, your Mac is in clamshell mode as designed.

If you want the external display to go into standby mode, you can select Apple menu > Sleep on the Mac.

If you want your external display to be completely off, you have to turn off the power on the display itself.

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Answer 3

Jul 17, 2025 12:12 PM in response to wilsoncpu

All of the above parameters are required for clamshell mode, so if the Mac is disconnected from power, then it and the external display will go to sleep. Likewise for the keyboard/mouse.

You could also just shut off power on the external display. Then, the Mac would no longer detect it and if the lid was closed, the Mac would go to sleep.

Personally, though I typically put the Mac to sleep, then turn off my external display as you describe.

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