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When connecting my MacBook pro 13 to a projector or monitor only my wallpaper appears, no desktop or video. How do I fix this?

When connecting my MacBook pro 13 to a projector or monitor only my wallpaper appears, no desktop or video. How do I fix this?


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.2

Posted on Jan 6, 2022 9:34 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 6, 2022 10:44 AM

In order for a Mac display to become active, your Mac queries the displays, and the display responds with its NAME and capabilities.


The arrangement pane will come up in a window named for the display you have connected. There is no need to type this name, because the display itself provides it.


The examples I posted are for different Macs with different displays connected. The first is for a display that self-reports as "'ThunderBolt display". The second is for a display that self reports as "Built-in retina Display". The ARRANGEMENT sub-pane is what is shown.


System preferences > Displays will come up in a window with the name of your current display.

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 6, 2022 10:44 AM in response to maurinda256

In order for a Mac display to become active, your Mac queries the displays, and the display responds with its NAME and capabilities.


The arrangement pane will come up in a window named for the display you have connected. There is no need to type this name, because the display itself provides it.


The examples I posted are for different Macs with different displays connected. The first is for a display that self-reports as "'ThunderBolt display". The second is for a display that self reports as "Built-in retina Display". The ARRANGEMENT sub-pane is what is shown.


System preferences > Displays will come up in a window with the name of your current display.

When connecting my MacBook pro 13 to a projector or monitor only my wallpaper appears, no desktop or video. How do I fix this?

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