Mac M1 Studio with Dual Monitors - How to turn off one monitor?

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Level 1

38 points

Mac M1 Studio with Dual Monitors - How to turn off one monitor?

Hello,

I have two monitors hooked up to my Mac Studio. One is connected via a USB-C cable the other is via HDMI cable.

The HDMI cable is going to a monitor in a vertical orientation arranged to be on the right side. While the USB-C monitor is my main monitor (horizontal).

I do not use the vertical monitor all the time and it is powered off at the monitor. The HDMI cable is still hooked up to the machine. When the monitor is off, I still lose my mouse and icons, etc.. to the right side of the screen. If I drag over too far to the right, it goes into the void where the vertical monitor normally would be shown.

The monitor still shows in the Displays settings even though it is powered off. It does not disappear unless I physically disconnect the HDMI cable.

How do I stop this from happening? I only want the display to be active when it's actually powered on, not simply because it's hooked up via the HDMI cable?

Mac Studio

Posted on Feb 25, 2023 6:13 AM

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Answer 1

R_Gabriel

Community Specialist

Feb 27, 2023 5:46 PM in response to djcaseanova

Hi djcaseanova,

It might be helpful for you to speak with Apple directly about this issue. Click the link below for additional assistance on this matter.

Contact - Official Apple Support

Kindest regards!

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Answer 2

Feb 27, 2023 11:28 AM in response to djcaseanova

Hello djcaseanova,

It seems like you're using the displays as an extended desktop, is that correct? To help us better assist you, can you let us know if the same behavior occurs if the display configuration is changed?

Please check out the information in the following link, which outlines the available options to use and manage external displays with your Mac, and may help: Use one or more external displays with your Mac

Set up the displays as an extended desktop

You can arrange your displays in any configuration to create an extended desktop. For example, you can set your external display side by side with your Mac to create one large continuous desktop.

Note: You must be connected to a display to see these options.

1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Displays in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

2. Click the name of your display on the right, click the “Use as” pop-up menu, then choose “Extended display” or Stop Mirroring.

Thanks!

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Answer 3

djcaseanova Author

Level 1

38 points

Feb 27, 2023 5:32 PM in response to Brittany1416

That's correct, extended desktop. If I change it to mirrored, the display still shows up under "Displays" even if it's powered off.

The issue is when I turn the monitor off that is either set at extended or mirrored, it does not disappear from the display settings under system preferences.

If it is in extended, which is what I need, and the monitor is turned off, it's still active until I physically disconnect the cable from the monitor or back of the Mac Studio. It happens regardless of whether it's USB-C or HDMI connection.

If it's in mirrored mode, and turned off, I won't lose my mouse or anything to that side of the screen like I do in extended.

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Mac M1 Studio with Dual Monitors - How to turn off one monitor?

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