diff --git a/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.cpp b/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.cpp
index 4cc0bbab4a..35fa79d177 100644
--- a/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.cpp
@@ -110,8 +110,10 @@ void DrmBackend::createDpmsFilter()
 void DrmBackend::turnOutputsOn()
 {
     m_dpmsFilter.reset();
-    for (auto it = m_enabledOutputs.constBegin(), end = m_enabledOutputs.constEnd(); it != end; it++) {
-        (*it)->setDpmsMode(Output::DpmsMode::On);
+    for (Output *output : std::as_const(m_outputs)) {
+        if (output->isEnabled()) {
+            output->setDpmsMode(Output::DpmsMode::On);
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -121,8 +123,8 @@ void DrmBackend::checkOutputsAreOn()
         // already disabled, all outputs are on
         return;
     }
-    for (auto it = m_enabledOutputs.constBegin(), end = m_enabledOutputs.constEnd(); it != end; it++) {
-        if ((*it)->dpmsMode() != Output::DpmsMode::On) {
+    for (Output *output : std::as_const(m_outputs)) {
+        if (output->isEnabled() && output->dpmsMode() != Output::DpmsMode::On) {
             // dpms still disabled, need to keep the filter
             return;
         }
@@ -355,12 +357,7 @@ void DrmBackend::updateOutputs()
 
 void DrmBackend::enableOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output, bool enable)
 {
-    if (m_enabledOutputs.contains(output) == enable) {
-        return;
-    }
     if (enable) {
-        m_enabledOutputs << output;
-        Q_EMIT outputEnabled(output);
         checkOutputsAreOn();
         if (m_placeHolderOutput && !output->isNonDesktop()) {
             qCDebug(KWIN_DRM) << "removing placeholder output";
@@ -369,19 +366,17 @@ void DrmBackend::enableOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output, bool enable)
             m_placeholderFilter.reset();
         }
     } else {
-        int normalOutputsCount = std::count_if(m_enabledOutputs.begin(), m_enabledOutputs.end(), [](const auto output) {
-            return !output->isNonDesktop();
+        const int normalOutputsCount = std::count_if(m_outputs.constBegin(), m_outputs.constEnd(), [](const auto output) {
+            return output->isEnabled() && !output->isNonDesktop();
         });
-        if (normalOutputsCount == 1 && !output->isNonDesktop() && !kwinApp()->isTerminating()) {
+        if (normalOutputsCount == 0 && !output->isNonDesktop() && !kwinApp()->isTerminating()) {
             qCDebug(KWIN_DRM) << "adding placeholder output";
-            m_placeHolderOutput = primaryGpu()->createVirtualOutput({}, m_enabledOutputs.constFirst()->pixelSize(), 1, DrmVirtualOutput::Type::Placeholder);
+            m_placeHolderOutput = primaryGpu()->createVirtualOutput({}, output->pixelSize(), 1, DrmVirtualOutput::Type::Placeholder);
             // placeholder doesn't actually need to render anything
             m_placeHolderOutput->renderLoop()->inhibit();
             m_placeholderFilter = std::make_unique<PlaceholderInputEventFilter>();
             input()->prependInputEventFilter(m_placeholderFilter.get());
         }
-        m_enabledOutputs.removeOne(output);
-        Q_EMIT outputDisabled(output);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.h b/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.h
index bde1708704..42e356fe1f 100644
--- a/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.h
+++ b/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.h
@@ -102,10 +102,7 @@ private:
     std::unique_ptr<Udev> m_udev;
     std::unique_ptr<UdevMonitor> m_udevMonitor;
     Session *m_session;
-    // all outputs, enabled and disabled
     QVector<DrmAbstractOutput *> m_outputs;
-    // only enabled outputs
-    QVector<DrmAbstractOutput *> m_enabledOutputs;
     DrmVirtualOutput *m_placeHolderOutput = nullptr;
 
     bool m_active = false;
diff --git a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.cpp b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.cpp
index 955a923a52..71f896ffc6 100644
--- a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.cpp
@@ -91,7 +91,6 @@ void VirtualBackend::setVirtualOutputs(int count, QVector<QRect> geometries, QVe
     Q_ASSERT(geometries.size() == 0 || geometries.size() == count);
     Q_ASSERT(scales.size() == 0 || scales.size() == count);
 
-    const QVector<VirtualOutput *> disabled = m_outputsEnabled;
     const QVector<VirtualOutput *> removed = m_outputs;
 
     int sumWidth = 0;
@@ -112,11 +111,8 @@ void VirtualBackend::setVirtualOutputs(int count, QVector<QRect> geometries, QVe
         vo->setEnabled(true);
     }
 
-    for (VirtualOutput *output : disabled) {
-        output->setEnabled(false);
-    }
-
     for (VirtualOutput *output : removed) {
+        output->setEnabled(false);
         m_outputs.removeOne(output);
         Q_EMIT outputRemoved(output);
         delete output;
@@ -125,19 +121,6 @@ void VirtualBackend::setVirtualOutputs(int count, QVector<QRect> geometries, QVe
     Q_EMIT screensQueried();
 }
 
-void VirtualBackend::enableOutput(VirtualOutput *output, bool enable)
-{
-    if (enable) {
-        Q_ASSERT(!m_outputsEnabled.contains(output));
-        m_outputsEnabled << output;
-        Q_EMIT outputEnabled(output);
-    } else {
-        Q_ASSERT(m_outputsEnabled.contains(output));
-        m_outputsEnabled.removeOne(output);
-        Q_EMIT outputDisabled(output);
-    }
-}
-
 void VirtualBackend::removeOutput(Output *output)
 {
     VirtualOutput *virtualOutput = static_cast<VirtualOutput *>(output);
diff --git a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.h b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.h
index 162e0ac059..62a4022d1d 100644
--- a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.h
+++ b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.h
@@ -53,8 +53,6 @@ public:
         return QVector<CompositingType>{OpenGLCompositing, QPainterCompositing};
     }
 
-    void enableOutput(VirtualOutput *output, bool enable);
-
     Q_INVOKABLE void removeOutput(Output *output);
     Q_INVOKABLE QImage captureOutput(Output *output) const;
 
@@ -63,7 +61,6 @@ Q_SIGNALS:
 
 private:
     QVector<VirtualOutput *> m_outputs;
-    QVector<VirtualOutput *> m_outputsEnabled;
     std::unique_ptr<QTemporaryDir> m_screenshotDir;
 };
 
diff --git a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_output.cpp b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_output.cpp
index 823113a6a6..f12584a7b7 100644
--- a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_output.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_output.cpp
@@ -66,9 +66,4 @@ void VirtualOutput::vblank(std::chrono::nanoseconds timestamp)
     renderLoopPrivate->notifyFrameCompleted(timestamp);
 }
 
-void VirtualOutput::updateEnablement(bool enable)
-{
-    m_backend->enableOutput(this, enable);
-}
-
 }
diff --git a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_output.h b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_output.h
index ca1d7b82df..111d195a2c 100644
--- a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_output.h
+++ b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_output.h
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ public:
 
     void init(const QPoint &logicalPosition, const QSize &pixelSize);
     void setGeometry(const QRect &geo);
-    void updateEnablement(bool enable) override;
 
 private:
     void vblank(std::chrono::nanoseconds timestamp);
diff --git a/src/backends/wayland/wayland_output.cpp b/src/backends/wayland/wayland_output.cpp
index 1d1848b23d..4666649978 100644
--- a/src/backends/wayland/wayland_output.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/wayland/wayland_output.cpp
@@ -71,15 +71,6 @@ void WaylandOutput::resize(const QSize &pixelSize)
     Q_EMIT m_backend->screensQueried();
 }
 
-void WaylandOutput::updateEnablement(bool enable)
-{
-    if (enable) {
-        Q_EMIT m_backend->outputEnabled(this);
-    } else {
-        Q_EMIT m_backend->outputDisabled(this);
-    }
-}
-
 void WaylandOutput::setDpmsMode(DpmsMode mode)
 {
     if (mode == DpmsMode::Off) {
diff --git a/src/backends/wayland/wayland_output.h b/src/backends/wayland/wayland_output.h
index 9becd40f2b..0068ce3058 100644
--- a/src/backends/wayland/wayland_output.h
+++ b/src/backends/wayland/wayland_output.h
@@ -64,7 +64,6 @@ public:
         return m_surface;
     }
 
-    void updateEnablement(bool enable) override;
     void setDpmsMode(DpmsMode mode) override;
 
 Q_SIGNALS:
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_output.cpp b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_output.cpp
index 4543fc1ebc..283274d9f3 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_output.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_output.cpp
@@ -72,13 +72,4 @@ void X11Output::setMode(const QSize &size, uint32_t refreshRate)
     }
 }
 
-void X11Output::updateEnablement(bool enabled)
-{
-    if (enabled) {
-        Q_EMIT m_backend->outputEnabled(this);
-    } else {
-        Q_EMIT m_backend->outputDisabled(this);
-    }
-}
-
 } // namespace KWin
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_output.h b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_output.h
index 5acbbc8e9a..ea9c008a7d 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_output.h
+++ b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_output.h
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ public:
     explicit X11Output(X11StandalonePlatform *backend, QObject *parent = nullptr);
 
     bool usesSoftwareCursor() const override;
-    void updateEnablement(bool enabled) override;
 
     RenderLoop *renderLoop() const override;
     void setRenderLoop(RenderLoop *loop);
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_placeholderoutput.cpp b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_placeholderoutput.cpp
index 4204df4c85..6f002571dc 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_placeholderoutput.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_placeholderoutput.cpp
@@ -34,13 +34,4 @@ RenderLoop *X11PlaceholderOutput::renderLoop() const
     return m_backend->renderLoop();
 }
 
-void X11PlaceholderOutput::updateEnablement(bool enabled)
-{
-    if (enabled) {
-        Q_EMIT m_backend->outputEnabled(this);
-    } else {
-        Q_EMIT m_backend->outputDisabled(this);
-    }
-}
-
 } // namespace KWin
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_placeholderoutput.h b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_placeholderoutput.h
index 686dd7f759..1dbe1edf4a 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_placeholderoutput.h
+++ b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_placeholderoutput.h
@@ -23,8 +23,6 @@ public:
     RenderLoop *renderLoop() const override;
 
 private:
-    void updateEnablement(bool enabled) override;
-
     X11StandalonePlatform *m_backend;
 };
 
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_output.cpp b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_output.cpp
index f9b509c55d..663ce8cb4c 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_output.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_output.cpp
@@ -194,13 +194,4 @@ bool X11WindowedOutput::usesSoftwareCursor() const
     return false;
 }
 
-void X11WindowedOutput::updateEnablement(bool enabled)
-{
-    if (enabled) {
-        Q_EMIT m_backend->outputEnabled(this);
-    } else {
-        Q_EMIT m_backend->outputDisabled(this);
-    }
-}
-
 } // namespace KWin
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_output.h b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_output.h
index f007978736..ffb1cdfd1e 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_output.h
+++ b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_output.h
@@ -61,7 +61,6 @@ public:
     QPointF mapFromGlobal(const QPointF &pos) const;
 
     bool usesSoftwareCursor() const override;
-    void updateEnablement(bool enabled) override;
 
     QRegion exposedArea() const;
     void addExposedArea(const QRect &rect);
diff --git a/src/platform.h b/src/platform.h
index e2bd5f7ba6..430616fd79 100644
--- a/src/platform.h
+++ b/src/platform.h
@@ -340,19 +340,6 @@ Q_SIGNALS:
      * This signal is emitted when an output has been disconnected.
      */
     void outputRemoved(Output *output);
-    /**
-     * This signal is emitted when the @a output has become activated and it is ready for
-     * compositing.
-     */
-    void outputEnabled(Output *output);
-    /**
-     * This signal is emitted when the @a output has been deactivated and it is no longer
-     * being composited. The outputDisabled() signal is guaranteed to be emitted before the
-     * output is removed.
-     *
-     * @see outputEnabled, outputRemoved
-     */
-    void outputDisabled(Output *output);
 
 protected:
     explicit Platform(QObject *parent = nullptr);