Switching off monitor "Disconnects" it, moving windows / icons

Dell Latitude 7350 (Corporate Laptop)
Windows 11 Enterprise, Build 23H2 (22631.6936)
Plugged into Dell Dock (WD22TB4) via USB-C
Monitor 1 - BenQ XL2420T (Primary) - Connnected to Dock via Displayport
Monitor 2 - AOC 2369M - Connected to Dock via HDMI or DisplayPort. - The problem monitor.

I can switch off Monitor 1 (BenQ) just fine and it causes no issues. The monitor stays "connected" and nothing happens (despite it being connected via DisplayPort).
However if I switch off monitor 2 (AOC), the other screens flicker off for a sec, all my windows get thrown onto another screen, and my desktop icons re-arranged allover the place. The monitor is no longer seen as "Connected" by the OS until I switch it back on.

Is there any way to prevent this? Sometimes I would like to switch off Monitor 2 (via the Monitor power button) to save energy, but I want it to stay "connected", as Monitor 1 does.
I'm aware some mention about DisplayPort hotplugging (despite it not affecting monitor 1...), but this happens using both DisplayPort or HDMI! (This one).
I've tried tweaking power settings and turning off DDC/CI and still no change.

Weirdly, I don't suffer any issues with EITHER monitor on my Windows 7 Ultimate Home PC! (Monitor 1 DVI-D, Monitor 2 HDMI). I can turn both monitors off and the OS still sees BOTH as "Connected", and nothing shifts around.

What gives?


I can't use any software to restore window or icon positions etc. as it's a secured, corporate laptop. I have the "remember window positions" setting ticked but that's no good when everything flickers, and it still shunts my icons around.

I'm not the best at giving advice on using dual monitors (don't use them) but I have a suggestion to try. Try switching the montors themselves ...Make monitor 1 to be monitor 2 and vice versa.
See if the problem follows the monitor or stays with the port on the dock..

Unfortunately I only have 1 HDMI port and 2 DisplayPorts on the dock, so can't do that as I don't have a long enough HDMI cable for the primary.

I tried setting Monitor 2 to be primary, but unfortunately it did the same.
The issue is experienced only with monitor 2, using either DP or HDMI (which are separate ports), so I'd say it's following the monitor.

Irritatingly, many online mention switching off DDC/CI helps, but unfortunately for me it doesn't, even with HDMI. I can try that setting Off with DisplayPort I guess, but it probably won't work.

Annoying! Especially when both monitors have no probs on W7.

I agree it is the monitor. I believe that is a very old monitor isn't it....like 13 years old. I know you didn't have the problem in windows 7 but off the top of my head here, I would suspect it might be some incompatibility with the monitor itself and the way 11 handles power or display handling.. Hopefully someone experienced in dealing with the ins and outs off using docks and dual monitors will step in with an idea. Sorry I was of no help.

I did have co-pilot analyze the thread and its suggestion was to use an EDID emulator (dummy plug)on the AOC or use a more modern monitor that maintains EDID when powered off as the BENQ does. I then asked where in the your setup the EDID emulator should be placed. It told me
An EDID emulator must sit between the device that forgets its EDID and the system that needs the EDID to stay alive.
In your case:

• The AOC 2369M drops EDID when powered off
• The dock/laptop is the device that reacts badly to that drop
• Therefore the emulator must be placed right at the monitor’s input, not at the dock

Thanks, yeah research isn't turning up much. Most say use HDMI but it has the same issue with that! But only on W11...
It's so far looking like the EDID emulators may be the only way.


Both are pretty old. I think the BenQ even older.

I really don't know why they don't just make this an option at OS level, "Disconnect monitor when powered off TRUE/FALSE", why is it not as simple as that?
It's daft having to leave my monitor on all day, sapping tonnes of power, just to keep my desktop from effing up.