Alienware X17 R1 has Two Displays in Settings with No Monitor Connected

Summary: The following article describes what to do when the Alienware X17 R1 laptop shows two displays in Microsoft Display Settings. However, there is no external display connected.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

The Alienware X17 R1 laptop shows that there are two displays present under the Microsoft Display Settings. This is showing although there is no external display connected. This condition occurs under the following circumstances:

  • The laptop ships with a Full High-Definition (FHD) panel
  • Hybrid Graphics or Advanced Optimus (when available) is enabled
  • NVIDIA Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) only is set in the NVIDIA Control Panel under Manage Display Mode

Cause

This is an expected behavior of a Dynamic Display Switching (DDS)* supported panel:

  • The FHD panel on the Alienware X17 R1 laptop is a DDS supported panel
  • The Ultra High-Definition (UHD) panel on the Alienware X17 R1 laptop is not a DDS supported panel

*DDS: NVIDIA Advanced Optimus

Resolution

The laptop is working as designed. (What you see depends on how you change the laptop settings.)

Affected Products

Alienware x17 R1
Article Properties
Article Number: 000200090
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 02 Jul 2025
Version:  6
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