What you need
- An external display, connected and turned on.
- Power. Apple's troubleshooting advice for a dark display with the lid closed is to make sure the Mac is connected to power.
- An external keyboard and mouse or trackpad, wired or Bluetooth, since the built-in ones are under the lid.
Set it up
- Connect the display and power. Apple suggests connecting the display to its own power first, and turning it on, before connecting it to the Mac.
- Connect your keyboard and mouse or trackpad. Make sure they work while the lid is still open.
- Close the lid. The external display becomes your only screen, with the menu bar and Dock on it.
- Adjust the display. Open Apple menu › System Settings › Displays to set the resolution. With two or more external displays, click Arrange to position them.
How many displays with the lid closed?
It depends on the model. For example, Apple says MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with the M3 chip can use two external displays at the same time when the lid is closed. Apple's page "How many displays can be connected to MacBook Pro" and your model's Tech Specs list the limits for each chip.
If the screen stays dark
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Is the Mac on power? | Apple's dark-display steps say to connect power when the lid is closed |
| External keyboard and mouse connected? | Also on Apple's list for closed-lid use |
| Using a hub or dock? | Apple suggests trying a port directly on the Mac |
| Display detected at all? | Open Displays settings, hold Option and click Detect Displays |
What happens to your windows when you open the lid
Opening the lid adds the built-in screen back, and unplugging the monitor removes the external one. Each change makes macOS rearrange windows, usually piling them onto whichever screen remains. Switching between "lid closed at the desk" and "laptop on the couch" every day means rearranging every day.