MacOS – How to keep MacBook awake with lid closed + extended display

displaylidmacbook promacossleep-wake

Specs:

macOS Sierra 10.12.1
MacBook Pro 15-inch, early 2011

Basically, when I connect my projector and extend the display, after closing the lid, MacBook "extended display" option cancels out and I can see the full display (not just the extended bit). I understand this phenomenon happens because of the "closed-clamshell" mode, however what I want to achieve is to be able to close my MacBook Pro's lid and see the extended display on the wall – when I open the lid, I should be able to see the usual display on my laptop and still the extended one on the wall.

Used the latest versions of both NoSleep & Caffeine (also tried InsomniaX), but no luck.

Best Answer

Requirements for closed-display mode from, Use your Mac notebook computer in closed-display mode with an external display:

To use closed-display mode with your Mac notebook, you need:

An AC power adapter

An external keyboard and mouse or trackpad, either USB or wireless

A USB-C to USB adapter if you're using a USB mouse or keyboard with MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015) and later or MacBook Pro models introduced in late 2016

An external display or projector

If you're using a USB keyboard and mouse

Make sure that your Mac notebook is plugged in to an outlet using the AC power adapter.

Connect a USB keyboard and mouse to your Mac.

With your Mac turned on and the display open, connect the Mac to the appropriate port on the external display or projector and turn the display or projector on.

Use an appropriate Apple video adapter if necessary.

After your Mac notebook's Desktop appears on the external display, close the computer's lid. When you close the lid: In OS X Lion v10.7 and later, the external display changes to a blue screen, then shows your Desktop. In OS X v10.6.8 and earlier, you can wake your Mac by clicking the mouse button or pressing a key on the external keyboard.

You can now use your Mac notebook as you normally would with a USB keyboard and mouse.

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An easy way to spoof a monitor connector is to use a VGA adapter, and connect a VGA Dummy-plug (sometimes called a "VGA Terminator").

There are a number of tutorials on how to make your own - here and here are other (though these involve soldering).

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Based on your hard labor so far :) and that the problem is not the cable.....it is time to try the:

1) Restart the computer in Safe Mode with display attached (shut down and restart while holding down shift key).

The display will show up without distortion.

2) Change the display to desired preferences (dimensions and refresh rate).

3) Restart computer.

================================

Since you mentioned the messages during the download, lets consider following.

From Apple:

This could occur when a self-powered Thunderbolt device (other than a directly-connected Thunderbolt display) is connected to a Thunderbolt port while installing the update.

To resolve this issue:

Shutdown your computer.
Disconnect all Thunderbolt devices.
Wait 10 seconds.
If you are using a Mac mini with a Thunderbolt display, reconnect the Thunderbolt display directly to your computer via the Thunderbolt port. Do not connect other Thunderbolt devices at this time.
Restart your computer.
If the Thunderbolt Firmware Update 1.2 is offered, download and install it and restart your computer when asked. If the Thunderbolt Update is not offered, the update has installed correctly.
Reconnect all Thunderbolt devices.

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