Closing Macbook Lid Changes External Screen To Primary

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Closing Macbook Lid Changes External Screen to Primary: A Guide to Troubleshooting and Resolution

Understanding the Issue

Have you ever experienced a situation where closing your MacBook lid causes your external screen to become the primary display, only to revert back to its original secondary status when you reopen the lid? This issue is more common than you think, especially with the latest macOS Big Sur and MacBook Pro models. In this article, we will delve into the possible causes of this behavior and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve the issue.

What's Changed in Big Sur?

The latest macOS Big Sur has introduced several changes that might be contributing to this issue. One of the key changes is the way macOS handles external displays. In Big Sur, Apple has introduced a new feature called "Automatic Display Switching" which allows your MacBook to automatically switch between internal and external displays based on your preferences. However, this feature might be causing the issue you're experiencing.

Possible Causes of the Issue

Before we dive into the solutions, let's explore the possible causes of this issue:

  • Automatic Display Switching: As mentioned earlier, this feature might be causing your external screen to become the primary display when you close the lid.
  • Display Preferences: Your display preferences might be set to automatically switch between internal and external displays.
  • Graphics Card Settings: Your graphics card settings might be causing the issue.
  • Software Conflicts: Conflicts between software applications might be contributing to the issue.

Troubleshooting Steps

To resolve the issue, follow these troubleshooting steps:

Step 1: Check Display Preferences

  • Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences."
  • Display Preferences: Click on "Displays" and then select the "Arrangement" tab.
  • Automatic Display Switching: Check if the "Automatic Display Switching" option is enabled. If it is, try disabling it and see if the issue persists.

Step 2: Check Graphics Card Settings

  • Open System Information: Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen and select "About This Mac" and then click on "System Report."
  • Graphics Card: Select "Graphics/Displays" from the list on the left-hand side.
  • Graphics Card Settings: Check if the graphics card settings are set to "Automatic" or "External Display." Try changing the settings to "Internal Display" and see if the issue persists.

Step 3: Check for Software Conflicts

  • Close All Applications: Close all applications on your MacBook, including any background applications.
  • Restart Your MacBook: Restart your MacBook and see if the issue persists.
  • Check for Software Updates: Check for any software updates and install them.

Step 4: Reset NVRAM and SMC

  • Reset NVRAM: Restart your MacBook and immediately hold down the "Command + Option + P + R" keys. Release the keys when you hear the boot chime for the second time.
  • Reset SMC: Restart your MacBook and immediately hold down the "Power button" until the MacBook turns off. Then, press the "Power button" again to turn it back on.

Step 5: Reinstall macOS

  • Backup Your Data: Backup all your important data to an external hard drive or cloud storage.
  • Reinstall macOS: Go to the Apple website and download the macOS installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS.

Conclusion

Closing your MacBook lid causing your external screen to become the primary display is a common issue, especially with the latest macOS Big Sur and MacBook Pro models. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue. Remember to check your display preferences, graphics card settings, and software conflicts, and if all else fails, try resetting NVRAM and SMC or reinstalling macOS.
Closing Macbook Lid Changes External Screen to Primary: A Q&A Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

In our previous article, we explored the possible causes of the issue where closing your MacBook lid causes your external screen to become the primary display. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions related to this issue.

Q: Why is my external screen becoming the primary display when I close my MacBook lid?

A: There are several possible reasons for this issue, including Automatic Display Switching, display preferences, graphics card settings, and software conflicts. We will explore each of these possibilities in more detail below.

Q: How do I disable Automatic Display Switching?

A: To disable Automatic Display Switching, follow these steps:

  • Open System Preferences
  • Click on "Displays"
  • Select the "Arrangement" tab
  • Uncheck the box next to "Automatic Display Switching"

Q: How do I change my display preferences?

A: To change your display preferences, follow these steps:

  • Open System Preferences
  • Click on "Displays"
  • Select the "Arrangement" tab
  • Choose your preferred display arrangement from the dropdown menu

Q: How do I reset my graphics card settings?

A: To reset your graphics card settings, follow these steps:

  • Open System Information
  • Select "Graphics/Displays" from the list on the left-hand side
  • Click on the "Reset" button next to "Graphics Card Settings"

Q: How do I check for software conflicts?

A: To check for software conflicts, follow these steps:

  • Close all applications on your MacBook
  • Restart your MacBook
  • Check for any software updates and install them

Q: How do I reset NVRAM and SMC?

A: To reset NVRAM and SMC, follow these steps:

  • Restart your MacBook and immediately hold down the "Command + Option + P + R" keys. Release the keys when you hear the boot chime for the second time.
  • Restart your MacBook and immediately hold down the "Power button" until the MacBook turns off. Then, press the "Power button" again to turn it back on.

Q: How do I reinstall macOS?

A: To reinstall macOS, follow these steps:

  • Backup all your important data to an external hard drive or cloud storage
  • Go to the Apple website and download the macOS installer
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS

Q: Why is my external screen not staying as the primary display when I close my MacBook lid?

A: There are several possible reasons for this issue, including:

  • Automatic Display Switching is enabled
  • Display preferences are set to automatically switch between internal and external displays
  • Graphics card settings are set to "Automatic" or "External Display"
  • Software conflicts are present

Q: How do I prevent my external screen from becoming the primary display when I close my MacBook lid?

A: To prevent your external screen from becoming the primary display when you close your MacBook lid, follow these steps:

  • Disable Automatic Display Switching
  • Change your display preferences to prevent automatic switching
  • Reset your graphics card settings to "Internal Display"
  • Check for software conflicts and resolve them

Conclusion

Closing your MacBook lid causing your external screen to become the primary display is a common issue, especially with the latest macOS Big Sur and MacBook Pro models. By following the troubleshooting steps and FAQs outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and prevent your external screen from becoming the primary display when you close your MacBook lid.