Laptop Problem Driving a Projector Screen

js0873 · 22 Jun 2022

I have a laptop connected to a large screen projector. The laptop is running Windows 10 Pro, version 10.0.19044. The goal is to have whatever is displayed on the laptop to be displayed on the projector, whether the lid is open or closed. In power settings I’ve set closing the lid to do nothing in both cases, battery or not. And I’ve tried either duplicating the displays or extending them, but it’s not working like I want. Here’s what happens:

If the lid is closed right after a reboot, the projector displays the laptop content just fine. If I open the lid, it still does. But if I then close the lid I lose the display on the projector until I open the lid again. I don’t want to always leave the lid open because I then have to set the screen display to never power off, 24 hours a day. If I don’t then users would get confused since they’d see nothing on the projector until they wake it with a wireless mouse. I have several other laptops driving projectors and opening and closing the lid has no effect on them, like I would hope it would. Does anyone have any idea how to make this laptop always drive the projector display whether the lid is open or closed?

Paul Black · 22 Jun 2022

Hello @js0873,

As a start, have you seen these? . . .

> How to Change Presentation Mode to Project Display in Windows 10
> How to Add a Project Display Context Menu in Windows 10
> How to Create a Display Switch Shortcut in Windows 10

Also, have a look at the Related Tutorials at the BOTTOM of the above Tutorial [ there are a few ], as they may also be related.

I hope this helps.

js0873 · 22 Jun 2022

Well, I looked over all of that but I don't think any of it applies in this case. Any other ideas?

RickC · 22 Jun 2022

js0873 said:

I have several other laptops driving projectors and opening and closing the lid has no effect on them, like I would hope it would. Does anyone have any idea how to make this laptop always drive the projector display whether the lid is open or closed?

Have you tried exporting the power plan from a laptop that doesn't have the issue then importing it into the laptop with the issue?

How to export and import Windows 10 power plans on multiple PCs

How to Export and Import a Power Plan in Windows 10

An alternative is to use PowerShell to compare power plan settings:

Get Windows Power Plan Settings on Your Computer by Using PowerShell

Use PowerShell and WMI or CIM to View and to Set Power Plans

How to view the Active Power Plan in Windows 11/10

Hope this helps...

idgat · 22 Jun 2022

Laptop make/model?

Connection type (HDMI, VGA, ...?)
EDIT Not intending to be insulting but if HDMI make sure the connection both ends is firm. I had similar happen some time ago and after several uses, realised that the secondary display device connection required that one last hard push-in-to-click of the HDMI cable

Opening and closing the laptop lid jiggled the connection just that fraction loose to cause disconnect)

Does the laptop behave similarly if connected just to an ordinary external monitor?

Make/model of projector screen? (Come across this when the problem is not down to the computer)?

Is the secondary display device recognised (the laptop lid should be open with both displays active > right-click Desktop > Display Settings > .... (might have to hunt-and-peck the next steps yourself, not in front of W10 device) ?

js0873 · 23 Jun 2022

Here's what I found works... Changing the display refresh rate, on the laptop only, to 59.950 Hz. The projector wants 60 HZ, but the laptop needed 59.590. Anyway, so far having those settings is working.