This bug is now closed as Invalid since it does seem to be the issue described in comments #2 and #3. So not a bug, but an interesting point of confusion that other users might encounter. To "fix" it though would be an enhancement request. If you like then we can turn this into an enhancement request...
** Changed in: mutter (Ubuntu) Status: Incomplete => Invalid -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Desktop Packages, which is subscribed to mutter in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1888800 Title: Resolution of external monitor goes back to its default resolution when laptop lid is closed Status in mutter package in Ubuntu: Invalid Bug description: The default resolution of my external monitor is 4K UHD (3840 ⨉ 2160). I set its resolution to a lower value (2560 ⨉ 1440). The external monitor is attached to a laptop. When I close the laptop lid, the built-in display is turned off, which is desired, however, the external monitor goes back to its default resolution (3840 ⨉ 2160), which is not desired. When I open back the lid, the built-in display is turned on, and the external monitor resolution stays with the default value (3840 ⨉ 2160), which is also not desired. ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 20.04 Package: mutter 3.36.3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.4.0-42.46-generic 5.4.44 Uname: Linux 5.4.0-42-generic x86_64 ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.4 Architecture: amd64 CasperMD5CheckResult: skip CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME Date: Fri Jul 24 08:56:58 2020 InstallationDate: Installed on 2020-04-26 (88 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS "Focal Fossa" - Release amd64 (20200423) ProcEnviron: TERM=xterm-256color PATH=(custom, no user) XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set> LANG=de_DE.UTF-8 SHELL=/bin/bash SourcePackage: mutter UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install) To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mutter/+bug/1888800/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages Post to : desktop-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp