Getting your MacBook broken is more heartbreaking than breaking up with your girlfriend. A workaholic like me who has to be available on my laptop 24/7 panicked when my MacBook fell from the desk accidentally. When I went to the local repair shop and asked them to fix the broken screen of my poor MacBook, he asked for the current price of this MacBook. I googled using my mobile phone for the solutions and at that time the only solution was connecting my broken MacBook to an external monitor, which I luckily bought for some video editing and graphic design work last year.
How to Connect MacBook to Monitor When Screen is Broken
So, it’s time to get that monitor back from the store room and save my ongoing projects. Here in this article, I will be guiding you on how to connect a broken MacBook to monitor. First of all, you will be needing an external monitor in order to connect it to your MacBook, or if it’s really urgent you can do it via LED TV as well (ninja hack).
Getting begin with the guide, you will have to purchase or avail of these things in order to successfully connect an external monitor to your MacBook.
Identify the Ports of your Macbook:
Well, first and most important of all you will have to check what display ports your MacBook does have as different MacBooks come with different ports. As mine was Macbook Pro M1 and it only had 2 USB Type-C ports I use a USB dock to use USBs, HDMI, and stuff. So, you will have to make sure which ports your MacBook comes with, in order to avoid fuss.
In case, if you don’t have an external monitor and want to purchase one for your MacBook, you may check our expert buyer guides about the best monitors for MacBook pro.
Cable and Adapter:
As I have discussed above, users of M1 pro or MacBooks with no additional ports will be needing an adaptor or USB-Hub so they can connect their MacBook to an external monitor. However, if your MacBook does have an HDMI port you can directly connect your MacBook to an external monitor. A Cable will be needed for the connection, Some monitors support wireless connection but as our MacBook’s screen is broken and we can not operate it so a cable would be a suitable option.
In case, your MacBook has a mini DisplayPort and an HDMI port as well, a mini Display Port to HDMI adapter will be needed to connect your MacBook to the monitor.
The Recipe:
- Plug the HDMI cable into your MacBook and the other side into the monitor that you are going to use.
- Make sure that you have an active power cable connection with the monitor to the power outlet.
- Now, turn on the monitor by pressing the power button.
- Now, make sure that the external monitor is being recognized by your MacBook: You may check it by clicking on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and selecting “System Preferences.”
- Select the “Displays” preferences: In the System Preferences window, click on the “Displays” preferences to open the display settings.
- Arrange the displays: In the Displays preferences, click on the “Arrangement” tab. You can choose to “Mirror Displays” to show the same image on both the MacBook’s display and the external monitor, or you can choose to “Use Separate Displays” to extend your desktop onto the external monitor.
You may adjust the resolution according to your needs. It’s not a must-do thing, but If necessary, adjust the resolution of the external monitor by clicking on the “Display” tab and selecting a compatible resolution from the list.
Close the System Preferences window: Once you have completed the above steps, close the System Preferences window and begin using your external monitor.
Ninja Tip:
If you have a Macbook Pro variant, you know that it comes with touchbar. The touchbar provides some limited functionalities that can help you connect or control the external monitor at first place.
Conclusive Note:
Now, you are all set to use your broken MacBook with an external monitor for all of your work routines until you get it repaired. To me, if you are not a traveler or you mostly use your MacBook at home, you can use it this way as long as you want to avoid any extra expenses. It does not matter if your MacBook screen is broken internally or it’s working partially, an external monitor is always a good way to pass your time and fulfill your work needs for the time being.
Hello, this is James. A technology enthusiast with a particular fondness for displays. As someone who loves all things tech, I have developed a keen eye for identifying the best displays in the market. Whether you are a casual user or a professional designer, I am confident that my reviews will help you find the perfect monitor for your needs. In my reviews, I take an in-depth look at each monitor, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. I also compare different models to help you make an informed decision about your next purchase.