Used a projector, now my display no longer turns off

fotyc · Mar 8, 2026

I have a Samsung GalaxyBook that has only USB-C ports.
I needed to give a presentation so I connected to a projector with a USB-C to HDMI cable. It worked wonderfully.
However, that was yesterday, and my computer was shut down clean last night so a shutdown has already been done.
Today, the screen timeout doesn't work. The thing insists on staying lit up all the time.
I checked my power settings, I ran the command line thing that checks for processes calling to the screen to stay lit, I did Win-P and made sure it said PC screen only.
What do I need to do to get that screen timeout to work again??
I haven't seen anything in a quick Google that seems to help.
I believe that I did shut the computer yesterday before pulling the cable, I hope that was not a FATAL MISTAKE.
Thanks for any other suggestions of what I should check.

antspants · Mar 8, 2026

Hi, welcome.

Try the following:

Open display (Right click desktop > Display) Make sure there isn’t a ghost monitor showing that doesn’t exist, if it does, “disconnect this display”

Also try the combination: Win + Ctrl + Shift + B (The GPU driver should reset, screen/s will kind of refresh/flash)

Let us know how you went.

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

Alright it did flash, AND beep. I will report back as to whether my timeout is restored. Thanks!

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

OK no it still doesn't time out, I was gone for 40 minutes and came back and the screen was still on :-( Anything else??

kelper · Mar 9, 2026

Is the projector still connected?

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

Not that I can tell. I mean, I disconnected it physically 48 hours ago....

kelper · Mar 9, 2026

I pasted your post into ChatGPT and this was her response;

The behaviour you describe usually happens when Windows thinks it is still in “presentation mode.” When that mode is active, Windows deliberately prevents the display from timing out.

Connecting to a projector via USB-C → HDMI can trigger it, and sometimes it stays enabled even after disconnecting.

1. Check Presentation Mode (most likely)

Press:

Win + X → Mobility Center

Look for “Presentation Settings.”

If it says “Presentation Settings: On”, turn it Off.

Or run this directly:

presentationsettings.exe /stop<br>
That immediately disables presentation mode.

2. Confirm nothing is requesting the display stay on

You said you ran the check already, but the correct command is:

powercfg /requests<br>
Under DISPLAY, it should say None.

If something appears there, that process is forcing the screen to stay on.

3. Reset the power plan (often fixes stubborn cases)

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

powercfg -restoredefaultschemes<br>
This resets all Windows power schemes to defaults and clears odd flags that sometimes remain after external display use.

4. Quick graphics reset (sometimes needed after USB-C display use)

Press:

Win + Ctrl + Shift + B

This resets the graphics driver without rebooting.

5. Last simple fix (if the above fails)

Temporarily reconnect the projector or HDMI adapter, then:

Press Win + P
Select PC screen only
Disconnect the cable

This forces Windows to rebuild the display state.

Most likely fix:
presentationsettings.exe /stop

If it still refuses to time out, tell me one thing:

What does powercfg /requests actually show under DISPLAY?

That will pinpoint the exact cause in seconds.

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

I will make a series of replies so I can fully answer your questions: I didn't see an option for Presentation Settings in win-X.

The command line attempt brought this:
The term 'presentationsettings.exe' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function,
script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is
correct and try again.
powercfg output:
DISPLAY:
None.

SYSTEM:
None.

AWAYMODE:
None.

EXECUTION:
None.

PERFBOOST:
None.

ACTIVELOCKSCREEN:
None.

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

Tried #4 twice already.
Do not have projector anymore it belonged to the venue.
Thanks for staying with me on this....

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

The only thing you suggest that I haven't tried is the resetting of the power plan, which I will try in a bit.

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

Nope, that doesn't help either.... I'm really stumped!

kelper · Mar 9, 2026

I'm sorry that ChatGPT included <br> at the end of the commands. This should not be included.

Try holding down the WIN key and pressing 'r' to bring up the 'Run' dialog. Then type 'presentationsettings.exe' without the single quotes. I get this.

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

Is it possible that Windows 11 Home doesn't HAVE presentationsettings? because I cannot find it, it does not seem to exist on my computer.

kelper · Mar 9, 2026

I can strongly recommend asking an AI such as ChatGPT. It has endless patience and will ask questions to try and understand the issue. Answers are nigh on instant and it has a vast knowledge base all pinched from other websites!

kelper · Mar 9, 2026

fotyc said:
Is it possible that Windows 11 Home doesn't HAVE presentationsettings? because I cannot find it, it does not seem to exist on my computer.

Good question! And you are correct. The Home edition of Windows 11 does not have it.

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

So I'm totally screwed and because I gave one presentation in my life I can never have my display time out again? This seems rather harsh...

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

I don't subscribe to Claude or ChatGPT so I have no access for asking it, and it seems like it's already been asked and I tried all the things.

kelper · Mar 9, 2026

No, you are not totally screwed! It seems you have a ghost entry somewhere. What does Device Manager show under

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

fotyc · Mar 9, 2026

I really appreciate people sticking with me and trying to solve this puzzle!

Used a projector, now my display no longer turns off

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1. Check Presentation Mode (most likely)​

2. Confirm nothing is requesting the display stay on​

3. Reset the power plan (often fixes stubborn cases)​

4. Quick graphics reset (sometimes needed after USB-C display use)​

5. Last simple fix (if the above fails)​

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1. Check Presentation Mode (most likely)

2. Confirm nothing is requesting the display stay on

3. Reset the power plan (often fixes stubborn cases)

4. Quick graphics reset (sometimes needed after USB-C display use)

5. Last simple fix (if the above fails)