Monitor configuration persists after disconnecting external displays, causing login issues on laptop-only setup

[Dexter9532]

Description

Hi,

I am experiencing an issue with Hyprland related to monitor handling when frequently switching between different multi-monitor setups and a laptop-only setup.

My typical workflow involves working with multiple external monitors connected to my laptop (usually with the laptop lid closed). This setup changes often, depending on location. The problem occurs when external monitors are disconnected and the laptop is later used on its own.

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Problem description

There are two related scenarios where I encounter issues:

1. External monitors disconnected, laptop opened

When I disconnect external monitors (HDMI) from my laptop and then open the laptop lid, Hyprland still behaves as if the previously connected external monitors are present. The monitor configuration does not seem to update correctly, and the system assumes multiple displays are still available even though they are physically disconnected.

2. External monitors disconnected, laptop suspended or packed away

In some cases, I disconnect all external monitors, close the laptop, and put it into a bag. When I later open the laptop and try to log into Hyprland, I am unable to log in at all. The session fails to start properly.

At this point, the only workaround I have found is to switch back to my standard Ubuntu desktop environment, manually edit or remove the Hyprland configuration file related to monitors, and then restart Hyprland. This is disruptive and not ideal.

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Expected behavior

When external monitors are disconnected:

• Hyprland should correctly detect that those monitors are no longer available.
• The configuration should gracefully fall back to a laptop-only display setup.
• The login process should not fail due to stale or invalid monitor configurations.

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Questions

• Is this a known bug or limitation?
• Is there a recommended workflow or configuration pattern for users who frequently switch between multi-monitor and laptop-only setups?
• Is there a way to make Hyprland dynamically handle monitor hot-plugging more robustly without requiring manual configuration edits?

Any guidance or best practices would be greatly appreciated.

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Environment

• OS: "Ubuntu 25.10"
• Hyprland version:0.52.2 (commit 3863764, tag v0.52.2, built Wed Dec 3 2025)
• Display connection type: HDMI

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Thank you for your work on Hyprland and for taking the time to look into this issue.

[thetrung]

My solution :

monitors.conf

# Auto recognize monitor 
monitor=,preffered,auto,auto

# Trigger when the lid is closing (switch:on)
bindl = ,switch:on:Lid Switch,exec,hyprctl keyword monitor "eDP-1, disable"
bindl = ,switch:on:Lid Switch,exec,hyprctl keyword monitor "HDMI-A-1,2560x1440@120,auto,1"

# Re-enables the laptop monitor
# Trigger when the lid is opening (switch:off)
bindl = ,switch:off:Lid Switch,exec,hyprctl keyword monitor "eDP-1,preferred,auto,auto"
bindl = ,switch:off:Lid Switch,exec,hyprctl keyword monitor "HDMI-A-1,disable"

[EarthEclipse]

I do it the same, but this is a workaround with limitations, because if you have multiple monitors and turn one off, Hyprland does not adapt.