MacBook Pro in clamshell mode

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Level 1

4 points

MacBook Pro in clamshell mode

Hey there,

I want to use my MacBook Pro 15" 2019 in clamshell mode but it's not fully working.

I have bought a Dell U3421WE monitor and I have my macbook connected to it through an USB-C cable. I have then connect my wired external keyboard to the monitor itself. Usually everything works fine, and my MX Master 2S mouse as well, which is connected via bluetooth the Mac.

The issue is when I need to log in for the first time. When I need to log in, neither my mouse or my keyboard works, I need to use the trackpad and the keyboard from the mac to select the user and type in my password. After doing so, all the peripherals are working fine. This is quite annoying since the goal was to be able to control everything while having the macbook sitting on the side and not even need to interact with it and especially when I see everyone else having a setup like this working just fine.

Can you help me? Thanks!

MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 7, 2022 4:12 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 10, 2022 8:29 AM in response to B_Santos

Greetings B_Santos,

Begin by connecting your mouse and keyboard directly to your Mac, instead of the external display.

Connect a display to your Mac - Apple Support

"If you use an external keyboard and mouse with your Mac notebook, you can close the built-in display after you connect your external display. You might have to press a key or click your mouse to wake the external display. To use your Mac with the display closed, you need to connect your power adapter or connect an external display that also charges your Mac, such as the Apple Studio Display or 23.7-inch LG UltraFine 4K Display."

Take care.

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Answer 2

B_Santos Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 11, 2022 3:47 AM in response to Dustin_R_308

Hello Dustin_R_308,

Having everything connected to the Mac directly, goes against the idea of using it in clamshell mode. I should be able to have only an USB-C cable connected to the Mac, while everything else connected to the external display or hub, so it's also easier to just disconnect 1 cable from the Mac when I have to carry it with me. This sort of setup is also visible all over the place so, it really should be possible to do so.

Even if I wanted to connect everything to the Mac directly, that would mean spend more money on adapters because the Macbook only has USB-C ports, while most of the peripherals still uses USB-A, which is the case for both my keyboard and also for the mouse in case I want to use it with a cable.

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MacBook Pro in clamshell mode

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