Broken macbook pro display, how to use clamshell

Hi, my 16’’ macbook pro just got knocked over about 2 feet and fell on it’s side and now the display is messed up. Is there anyway I can get it to show up on a second monitor so I can finish up some work before I send it in? Took it to apple and they I could use clamshell mode and I tried that, at first it worked, but my laptop battery was low so it showed the battery icon and turned off, but now I can’t get the second monitor to get any signal anymore. What I’m doing:

1. Restarting my macbook,
2. Plug in my usb-c to hdmi adapter
3. Plug in charger
4. closing laptop

Am I doing something wrong? Attached the display if that matters