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Change external resolution while macbook closed

I accidentally set the resolution to an external monitor to one that it's not capable of displaying. Now I'm unable to change it back and can only view an external monitor while the macbook is open. I've tried resetting NVRAM already with no effect.


How can I reset the resolution on this display while the macbook is closed?

Posted on Feb 26, 2021 10:39 AM

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Posted on Feb 26, 2021 4:33 PM

For anyone else who runs into this issue, I had to install TeamViewer, remote into my machine, change the resolution on the external monitor, close the lid, then change the resolution back to the default for it to stay up.

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11 replies

Feb 26, 2021 11:02 AM in response to destructinator7

With clamshell Open, open Displays Preferences. Use the (Gather Windows) button to move the multiple display settings panes onto the current display. That will allow you to see and change the settings for any connected display using only the main display to do so. Described in this article under "Gather Windows" heading:


Change Display preferences on Mac - Apple Support


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Feb 26, 2021 12:15 PM in response to destructinator7

But you could also try Safe Mode. Safe Mode loads very few extensions, and takes defaults for everything it can, including display resolution. Changes to display resolution you make in Safe mode will "stick" in regular mode.


There should be no difference between the resolutions on the External display when the main display is active or inactive, unless you have mirrored the displays. There is only ONE setting per display for display resolution.


If the display does not light up, you may need to debug a BROKEN display setup, rather than just extreme resolution issues.

Change external resolution while macbook closed

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