Are external monitors disconnected during firmware and Windows updates?
Are external monitors disconnected during firmware and Windows updates?
When performing updates or firmware installations like Dell updates, it’s often helpful to disconnect your monitors first. The notification at the bottom right usually indicates you’re running an update. You can choose to pause and wait, say a couple of weeks, before resuming. This gives you time to decide whether to restart or shut down. If you opt to restart, you can click “resume updates” which will display the update without needing external displays. Once the update completes, simply disconnect your monitors and power off your laptop if desired. Many users find this method more reliable than connecting external monitors, especially when dealing with potentially unstable connections.
extra displays don't influence updates for the laptop unless you're changing the firmware or software of the external screen itself. In that case, the monitor acts merely as a visual interface reflecting the connected device's activity.
External displays aren't the main concern, but if you faced problems while connecting them, it's wise to disconnect them temporarily. This might seem odd, but following what feels right based on your experience is beneficial. Enjoy your day!
The worst scenario is that it mixes up your external monitor with your main display. (Very improbable, but still a simple Windows trick if it occurs) But hey, anything can happen when fixing PC issues.
It’s worth noting that after a Windows update, some users experienced monitors going black or gray before they stabilized. This seems to align with the 24h2 update you mentioned. It might be wise to disconnect all USB devices during such updates to prevent issues. Removing peripherals like mice and keyboards can help avoid conflicts.
When dealing with PC issues, I’m not sure USB will make a big difference unless there’s something specific about it (such as a malware injector tool—don’t plug in those!) or the update files coming from a USB drive. If you’re using it during installation, don’t interrupt it. It might be that your power supply is overloaded and the USB is drawing too much power. In that scenario, the system should likely shut down automatically. The display will probably turn black and then to grey, which could happen because your monitor’s backlight activated unexpectedly, and the color quality isn’t ideal.