Disconnecting Alienware Graphics Amplifier Causes the LCD to Turn Black

Summary: Pressing Fn+F1 to disconnect the Alienware Graphics Amplifier (AGA) while applications running in the background causes the internal LCD to turn black on Alienware laptops.

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Symptoms

Meeting the criteria below may cause the black screen issue on the internal integrated LCD:

  1. Boot into OS and attach the Alienware Graphics Amplifier (AGA).
  2. Switch to Duplicate mode and ensure that the AGA and monitor are working perfectly.
  3. Run an application such as 3D Mark Fire Strike for at least one cycle.
  4. Press Fn + F1 key to undock the Alienware Graphics Amplifier after the 3D Mark completed the test.
  5. The integrated LCD turns into a black screen.

Affected Products

  • Alienware Area-51m R2
  • Alienware M15 R3
  • Alienware M17 R3

Cause

This is working as per designed.

Resolution

The Alienware Graphics Amplifier requires at least 10 seconds to refresh again after attempting to disconnect from the computer. The applications that are running in the background locks the process and prevent it to disconnect. Stop all the applications that are running in the background before undocking the Alienware Graphics Amplifier.

Affected Products

Alienware Area-51m R2, Alienware M15 R3, Alienware M17 R3
Article Properties
Article Number: 000130835
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 16 Apr 2025
Version:  5
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