If you’ve hooked up an external monitor to your laptop, you might prefer closing the laptop’s lid and maybe placing the device on a vertical stand to free up desk space. Sadly, the default power options in Windows prevent you from doing that. Shut the lid, and you trigger sleep mode. In this article, you will learn how to keep your Windows 11 or 10 laptop on even with the lid closed by re-configuring the power button and lid settings. You will also learn how to troubleshoot your computer if closing its lid continues to put it to sleep despite having your preferences set up correctly.
Change What Happens When You Close the Laptop Lid
Change What Happens When You Close the Laptop Lid
To keep your PC from sleeping when you close the lid on your laptop, you must tweak the power settings for your Windows 11/10 PC, so it stays awake. For that, you must access the Power Options management console via the Control Panel.
Closing Lid Still Forces Laptop to Sleep? Try These 7 Fixes
Closing Lid Still Forces Laptop to Sleep? Try These 7 Fixes
If closing the lid of your laptop still causes the operating system to go to sleep despite modifying the device’s power button and lid preferences, restart the device. If that doesn’t help, here are several fixes that you can work your way through to resolve the issue.
1. Reset Power Settings to Defaults
1. Reset Power Settings to Defaults
It’s best to begin by reverting the power plan for your laptop to its default settings. That should resolve conflicting or broken configurations preventing it from applying your lid preferences.
2. Run the Power Troubleshooter
2. Run the Power Troubleshooter
Both Windows 11 and 10 come with a built-in troubleshooter that can detect and resolve issues with conflicting power management settings. Run it and check if that makes a difference.
3. Disable Fast Startup
3. Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup speeds up your laptop when you turn it on, but it can also create conflicts with power management. Disable the feature and check if that makes a difference.
4. Reinstall Battery Driver
4. Reinstall Battery Driver
If the issue persists but only while attempting to use the laptop closed on battery power, use the Device Manager to reinstall the battery driver. Disconnect the power adapter before you begin.
5. Update Windows
5. Update Windows
The following fix involves checking for and applying any pending operating system updates.
6. Run SFC and DISM
6. Run SFC and DISM
If your laptop continues to go to sleep when you close its lid, run the System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management command-line tools next.
7. Update Laptop Drivers
7. Update Laptop Drivers
Updating the drivers for your laptop could also resolve firmware-related issues preventing you from using the device with its screen closed. Check the laptop manufacturer’s site—Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.—for the latest drivers. Additionally, you might consider updating the BIOS or UEFI for your laptop.
