External display locked in closed clamshell

When I plug in an external monitor and try to use closed clamshell, it looks like nothing is working. I opened up word to test my keyboard and it didn't show that I typed anything, until I opened my mac back up and what I typed was there. It's almost as if the display is getting locked when I close my mac. I've tried it with the displays mirrored and not with the same results. I've even tried it with Insomnia running and turned off. Has anyone seen this before?

As a test, if you do the same thing, in say, TextEdit, does it work as expected? I am running Office 2011 (v 14.4.3). If I do the same test as you it seems to work. I just closed my rMBP clamshell in the middle of this post and the Safari window moved to the external display. My Dock bar is on the external display now. If I start Word, the menu bar has Word and I can type and see my typed text. This a rMBP Late 2013. Re-opened my Clamshell, and the Safari window is now on the built-in display and Word window is on the built-in display as well.

Similar Messages

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    Hello all!
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  • How can I use an external display with my MBP lid closed and disconnected to power?

    I know that I can use an external display when my MBP lid is closed and it is connected to power. I was wondering why it does not work when the power cable is removed.
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    How do I view an external display with my macbook pro closed?  I am using  a wireless keyboard and trackpad, and I would like to use a larger (Dell) monitor with my Macbook Pro closed.

    Here are the rules for Clamshell mode:
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    Hi!
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    Hello bambambam8am,
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    I use my 13" MBP in closed Clam Shell mode nearly all the time. I have it connected to my Sony 40" HDTV using the Griffin adapter and it works great most of the time.
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    Yup. I have no issues using an external display in clamshell mode. It's only when I try to airplay to my apple tv while in this clamshell mode that I run into problems. So to clarify, there are 3 devices in my situation: my macbook, my external monitor, and my apple tv (which is connected to my hdtv of course, so 4 devices). Usually I just use my external monitor with my macbook closed. That works fine. But when I occasionally want to airplay to my apple tv as additional mirrored/extended monitor, I have to open up the macbook first to exit clamshell mode. Otherwise if I just go straight into airplay while still in clamshell mode, my hdtv shows a frozen image, my external monitor goes black and I have no choice but to manually turn off my macbook. Hope that makes sense. I think it would be easier if I could draw a diagram haha.

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