Why is my MacBook Air not displaying on the external monitor?

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Why is my MacBook Air not displaying on the external monitor?

At the Apple store yesterday the "genius" connected an external monitor to my M1 MacBook Air and was able to "see" that my processor, etc. was functioning as usual. The Air display is black and has been determined to be dead. I bought an Acer monitor, hooked it into my USB3 port with an HDMI to the monitor, I can't get my Air to show on the monitor. Since I can't use any prompts (Settings, etc.) that would otherwise be displayed on the Air panel, how do I get the Air to talk to the Acer just suing the keypad? I'm not sure what magic the "genius" employed to do that in the store. All I get on the Acer screen are settings menus.

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MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Sep 6, 2024 11:48 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

varjak paw

Level 10

182,662 points

Sep 6, 2024 12:46 PM in response to Robert Enders

Generally when you connect an external monitor and use the Mac with the screen open, that external monitor is in what is called "extended desktop" mode, where it's acting as extra display space, not as your Mac's primary monitor. You can try the following key commands to try and get the Mac into "screen mirroring" mode which would duplicate the internal display to the external:

Command+F1.
Command+Option+F1.
Command+Fn+F1.

If that doesn't work, you'll probably need to connect a wired keyboard and mouse and run with the lid closed. That makes the external screen the primary display. Note that running an Air for extended periods with the screen closed can cause heating issues. Make sure that the Air isn't sitting on anything soft, and don't put anything on top of it.

Regards.

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Answer 2

varjak paw

Level 10

182,662 points

Sep 6, 2024 2:46 PM in response to Robert Enders

Oof. With Touch ID set, there's no way you can log in from an stock external keyboard (Apple makes a keyboard with Touch ID, but it's pricey). So you can't use the MBA in "clamshell" mode, at least not to the best of my knowledge. If the MBA has dropped out of mirror mode and the key combinations I listed above don't work to get it back, then sorry but I'm stuck. Perhaps someone else here will have a suggestion.

Regards.

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Answer 3

Sep 6, 2024 1:23 PM in response to varjak paw

Good tips but the Command options didn't work. Now that you mentioned the wired keyboard option, that is what the "Genius" used. I also now recall that he changed the display setting to allow for an external display. I'll find one and give it a try. Thanks

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Answer 4

Sep 6, 2024 2:31 PM in response to Robert Enders

I plugged in a very old Apple keyboard from a round iMac, the one with the screen on a stalk. I have a USB 3 to USB A adapter to do that. But when I opened the lid on the MacBook and put my finger on the reader key, the start chime sounds and a cursor (arrow) appeared on my monitor and I can control its motion with the MacBook track pad. No login space is shown. But I can't get any other response to key strokes on the monitor, either from the MacBook keyboard or the plugged in one.. When I close the lid the HDMI connection is lost (and the cursor goes away). There must be some other combination of key input that will wake up the MacBook for the monitor to read and display. I need to be allowed to enter my user password at startup from either keyboard.

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Answer 5

Sep 6, 2024 3:59 PM in response to varjak paw

Thanks for trying. There must be a way because the Apple genius was able get to a login screen without my touch wherein I entered my user password and his external monitor lit up with all my apps and files. Much appreciated. Maybe I'll call Apple Support. They've been pretty helpful and willing to spend time on other issues I've had over the years.

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Why is my MacBook Air not displaying on the external monitor?

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