diff --git a/src/servers/sidecar/vnc/vnc-manager.ts b/src/servers/sidecar/vnc/vnc-manager.ts
index 9eb9cdaf..372d93a3 100644
--- a/src/servers/sidecar/vnc/vnc-manager.ts
+++ b/src/servers/sidecar/vnc/vnc-manager.ts
@@ -140,7 +140,10 @@ function readDisplayGeometry(xauthority: string, display: string): DisplayGeomet
 
   const out = proc.stdout.toString();
   const fb = out.match(/current\s+(\d+)\s*x\s*(\d+)/);
-  const connected = (out.match(/^\S+ connected/gm) ?? []).length;
+  // Count ENABLED outputs, not merely connected ones: a screen that is plugged in but switched off
+  // still reports "connected" and contributes nothing to the framebuffer. Only an enabled output
+  // carries a WxH+X+Y geometry, so requiring that is what distinguishes the two.
+  const connected = (out.match(/^\S+ connected(?: primary)? \d+x\d+\+\d+\+\d+/gm) ?? []).length;
 
   // "HDMI-A-0 connected primary 3840x2160+0+0 (normal left ..." — the geometry only appears on an
   // output that is actually enabled, so a connected-but-off output correctly yields no match.