Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to use your laptop but didn’t need the screen? Maybe you’re connecting to a larger monitor for a presentation, watching a movie on your TV, or simply listening to music and want to save a little battery life. Turning off your laptop screen is a handy trick that many users don’t realize is an option.
Fortunately, it’s a simple process that doesn’t require any special software or technical expertise. You can achieve this in a few different ways, depending on your goal. Let’s look at the most common and effective methods.
The Easiest Way: A Simple Keyboard Shortcut
For a quick and temporary screen-off, your keyboard is your best friend. Most Windows laptops have a dedicated function key, often labeled with a symbol that looks like a monitor or a screen with rays. Look for a key on your F1-F12 row that has this icon. To use it, you typically hold down the Fn key on your keyboard and then press the corresponding function key.
This will instantly turn your screen black. Don’t worry, your computer is still running. Just wiggle your mouse or press any key on the keyboard, and your display will spring back to life. This is perfect for when you step away from your desk for a few moments.
Using Windows Settings for a More Permanent Solution
If you’re planning to use an external monitor as your main display, you can tell Windows to turn off the built-in screen entirely. First, connect your external monitor or projector. Then, right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.
Scroll down to the Multiple displays section. From the dropdown menu, choose Show only on 2 (the number may vary depending on which screen Windows has assigned). As soon as you select this, your laptop’s built-in screen will turn off, and everything will appear on your external display.
Adjusting Your Power Plan to Save Energy
Another effective method is to change your power settings. You can set your laptop to turn off the screen automatically after a very short period of inactivity. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
Next to your selected power plan, click Change plan settings. Here, you can set the “Turn off the display” timer to a short time, like one or two minutes. When you stop using the laptop, the screen will turn off quickly, conserving battery power until you’re ready to use it again.
As you can see, turning off your laptop screen is a straightforward task. Whether you need a quick blackout with a keyboard shortcut, a dedicated external monitor setup, or an automated power-saving method, you have several great options. Choose the one that best fits your situation and enjoy the flexibility.
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