How to Disable a Second Monitor in Windows 11 (Without Unplugging It)

The fastest way to disable a second monitor in Windows 11 is to press the Windows logo key + P and choose PC screen only. Windows stops sending a picture to the second screen right away, and all your open windows move to the main display. You don’t need to unplug anything.

If you have three or more monitors and want to turn off just one of them, use Settings > System > Display instead. Both methods are easy to undo, and this guide shows how to turn the monitor back on, keep your windows where they belong, and remove a “ghost” monitor that Windows lists even though it isn’t connected.

Quick Answer

1. Press Windows logo key + P.
2. Select PC screen only to use only your main display.
3. To turn off one monitor in a setup with three or more, go to Settings > System > Display, select that monitor, and choose the option to disconnect it or show only on the others.
4. To turn the second monitor back on, press Windows logo key + P again and select Extend or Duplicate.

In This Guide

• Before you start
• Method 1: Use Windows logo key + P (two monitors)
• Method 2: Use Display settings (one of several monitors)
• Turn the second monitor back on
• Control what happens to your windows
• Which method should you use?
• Troubleshooting
• Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

This guide applies to Windows 11 on desktops and laptops as of September 2026. It works the same whether your monitors connect through HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, or a docking station.

A few terms you’ll see:

• Main display (also called the primary display): the screen that shows the taskbar clock and where most new windows open. On a laptop, it’s usually the built-in screen.
• Extend: your desktop stretches across both screens, and you can drag windows between them.
• Duplicate: both screens show the same thing.

“Disabling” a monitor in Windows means Windows stops using it as a display. The monitor itself stays powered on and may show “No signal” or go to sleep. Nothing is deleted, and your display settings are restored when you turn it back on.

Method 1: Use Windows Logo Key + P (Two Monitors)

This is the quickest method when you have two screens, such as a laptop plus one external monitor, or a desktop with two monitors.

1. Save anything you’re working on. Windows on the second screen will move, but they stay open.
2. Press and hold the Windows logo key, then press P.
   Expected result: A small panel opens with four choices: PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, and Second screen only.
3. Select PC screen only. You can click it, or press P again while holding the Windows logo key to move through the choices, then release.
   Expected result: The screen may flicker for a moment. The second monitor goes blank or shows “No signal,” and all windows move to your main display.

Microsoft describes these four modes on its multiple monitors support page. PC screen only shows everything on one display, while Second screen only does the opposite: it turns off the main screen and uses only the second one. That second option is handy if you want to close a laptop’s screen and work only on a large monitor.

Which screen counts as the “PC screen”? On a laptop, it’s the built-in display. On a desktop, it’s normally the display marked as your main display in Settings. If the wrong monitor stays on, pick Second screen only instead, or change which monitor is the main display (see the FAQ).

Method 2: Use Display Settings (One of Several Monitors)

The Windows logo key + P panel treats all your extra monitors as a group. If you have three or more monitors and only want to turn off one, use Settings.

1. Right-click an empty spot on the desktop and select Display settings, or go to Start > Settings > System > Display.
   Expected result: You see numbered boxes, one for each monitor.
2. Select Identify. A large number appears on each physical screen for a few seconds so you can match each box to a monitor.
3. Click the box for the monitor you want to turn off.
4. Open the dropdown menu next to Identify (it usually says Extend these displays). If you see Disconnect this display, choose it. Otherwise, choose a Show only on option for the display you want to keep. Labels can vary slightly between Windows 11 versions and graphics drivers.
   Expected result: Windows asks whether to keep these display settings.
5. Select Keep changes. If you do nothing, Windows reverts to your previous setup after about 15 seconds, which protects you if the change leaves you with a blank screen.

Tip: With three monitors, Show only on keeps just one screen active. If you want two screens left on, use Disconnect this display on the one you don’t want, if your version shows that option.

Turn the Second Monitor Back On

How you undo the change depends on which method you used.

If you used Windows logo key + P

1. Press Windows logo key + P.
2. Select Extend to use the second screen as extra space, or Duplicate to mirror your main screen.
   Expected result: The second monitor lights up within a few seconds.

If you used Display settings

1. Go to Settings > System > Display.
2. Select the turned-off monitor’s box (it may appear grayed out).
3. In the dropdown menu, choose Extend desktop to this display or Extend these displays, depending on what’s offered, and select Keep changes.
4. If the monitor doesn’t appear at all, expand Multiple displays and select Detect.

After turning a monitor back on, check its position in the numbered boxes. Drag the boxes so they match how your monitors sit on the desk, then select Apply. This makes your mouse move naturally from one screen to the next.

Control What Happens to Your Windows

When you turn off or unplug a monitor, Windows needs to decide what to do with the windows that were on it. Two settings control this. Go to Settings > System > Display and expand Multiple displays:

• Remember window locations based on monitor connection: when checked, windows go back to the monitor they were on after you turn it back on.
• Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected: when checked, windows from the disconnected monitor are minimized to the taskbar instead of piling onto your main screen.

If a window seems to disappear after you disable a monitor, it may be minimized or sitting just off-screen. Our guide on bringing all windows to one screen shows several ways to get it back.

Which Method Should You Use?

Situation	Best option	Why
Laptop plus one monitor, quick switch	Windows logo key + P > PC screen only	Two keys, instant, easy to undo
Use only the big monitor with the laptop lid open	Windows logo key + P > Second screen only	Turns off the built-in screen instead
Three or more monitors, turn off one	Settings > System > Display	Lets you choose a specific monitor
Monitor listed but not connected	Troubleshooting steps below	A “ghost” entry needs cleanup, not disabling
Just want the screen dark for a while	Monitor’s power button	Windows may still treat it as connected

Turning a monitor off with its own power button is the simplest option, but results vary. Some monitors keep reporting themselves as connected, so Windows keeps placing windows on a screen you can’t see. The Windows methods above avoid that problem.

Troubleshooting

Windows shows a monitor that isn’t connected

This is often called a “ghost” or phantom monitor. It can happen after using a dock, a TV, or a display adapter. Dell’s article on removing ghost monitors suggests these steps:

1. Right-click Start, select Device Manager, and expand Monitors.
2. Right-click any monitor entry you don’t recognize or no longer use, and select Uninstall device. If you’re not sure which is which, leave the entries alone and try the next step first.
3. Update your graphics driver from your PC maker or the graphics card maker. Our guide on checking for driver updates on Windows 11 walks through this.
4. Restart the computer.
   Expected result: Only the monitors that are physically connected appear in Display settings.

Windows logo key + P does nothing

Make sure you’re holding the Windows logo key, not Alt or Ctrl. Some keyboards have a Windows key lock or gaming mode that disables it; check your keyboard’s function keys. You can always use Display settings instead.

The wrong monitor turned off

Press Windows logo key + P and choose Extend to bring both back, then try Second screen only. Or open Display settings, select Identify, and pick the right monitor before making changes.

Both screens went black

Wait about 15 seconds. If you changed settings in the Display page and didn’t select Keep changes, Windows reverts on its own. If you used Windows logo key + P, press it again and press Enter after moving to Extend, or connect the monitor you want to use and try again.

The monitor turns back on after sleep or restart

Docks and some drivers can reset your display setup after sleep. Repeat Windows logo key + P or update your graphics and dock drivers. If it keeps happening, physically disconnecting that monitor is the most reliable fix.

Related: Change monitor 1 and 2 in Windows 11.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling a second monitor turn it off?

No. Windows stops sending it a picture, but the monitor stays powered. Most monitors go into standby after showing “No signal” for a short time.

What’s the keyboard shortcut to disable a second monitor?

Press Windows logo key + P and choose PC screen only. The same shortcut turns it back on with Extend or Duplicate.

Can I disable one monitor and keep two others on?

Yes, from Settings > System > Display. Select the monitor you want off and use the dropdown menu to disconnect it, if that option appears in your version. Windows logo key + P can’t target a single monitor.

How do I change which monitor is the main display?

In Display settings, select the monitor you want as the main one, expand its settings, and check the box to make it your main display. The taskbar clock and new windows move to that screen.

Will my windows come back when I reconnect the monitor?

They will if Remember window locations based on monitor connection is checked under Multiple displays. Otherwise, you may need to drag them back.

Should I unplug the cable instead?

Unplugging works and is the most certain way to remove a monitor, but it’s slower to undo. The Windows methods let you switch back in seconds without reaching behind your desk.

Summary

1. Press Windows logo key + P and choose PC screen only to disable a second monitor.
2. Choose Second screen only if you’d rather turn off the main screen.
3. With three or more monitors, use Settings > System > Display to turn off a single one.
4. Turn it back on with Windows logo key + P > Extend or Duplicate.
5. Use the Multiple displays options to control where your windows go.
6. Remove ghost monitors in Device Manager and update your graphics driver.

Next step: Press Windows logo key + P now, choose PC screen only, and check that the second monitor shows “No signal.” When you want that screen back, you can extend your display on Windows 11 again in a few steps.