How to keep Laptop Awake when lid closed [4 methods]

There are various methods to keep your laptop running even with the lid closed. In this guide, we’ll explore different strategies and Windows power settings to prevent your laptop from entering sleep mode when the lid is closed.

Understanding Laptop Closed Mode

Before diving into the solutions, it’s crucial to understand the default behavior of laptops when the lid is closed. By default, most laptops are configured to enter sleep or hibernate mode when the lid is closed.

Sleep mode is a low-power state that allows your laptop to quickly resume from where you left off, while hibernate mode saves your current state to the hard drive and shuts down entirely.

Now, let’s explore ways to override these default settings and keep your laptop awake and active even when the lid is closed.

Method 1: Adjusting Windows Power Settings

1. Access Power Options:

• On your Windows laptop, open the Control Panel.
• Proceed to “Hardware and Sound” and thereafter choose “Power Options.”

1. Choose a Power Plan:

• Select the power plan that is currently active. Usually, it’s the “Balanced” plan.

1. Change Advanced Power Settings:

• Click on “Change plan settings,” then “Change advanced power settings.”
• Look for the setting labeled “Lid close action” and set it to “Do nothing.” This ensures your laptop stays on when the lid is closed.

1. Apply Changes:

• Click “OK” after selecting “Apply” to save the changes.

Method 2: Registry Editor Modification

Note: If the Windows Registry is modified incorrectly, it may have unexpected effects. Before making any changes, use caution and think about establishing a backup.

1. Open the Registry Editor:

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type “regedit,” and press Enter.

1. Navigate to Power Settings:

• Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\238C9FA8-0AAD-41ED-83F4-97BE242C8F20\7bc4a2f9-d8fc-4469-b07b-33eb785aaca0.

1. Modify Attributes:

• Double-click on “Attributes” and change the value to “2” to prevent your laptop from sleeping when the lid is closed.

1. Restart Your Laptop:

• Restart your laptop to apply the changes.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

• Right-click on the Start button and select “Command Prompt (Admin).”

1. Run Powercfg Commands:

• Type the following commands and press Enter:

powercfg /change standby-timeout-ac 0
powercfg /change standby-timeout-dc 0

These commands set the standby timeout to zero, preventing your laptop from entering sleep mode.

Method 4: Task Scheduler Method

1. Open Task Scheduler:

• Search for “Task Scheduler” in the Start menu and open it.

1. Create a Basic Task:

• Click on “Create Basic Task” and follow the wizard to create a task that runs the command C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /hibernate off when the computer starts.

1. Modify Task Properties:

• After creating the task, find it in the list, right-click, and select “Properties.”
• Select the Run with highest privileges option in the General tab by marking the corresponding box.

1. Run the Task:

• Manually run the task to test if it prevents your laptop from sleeping when the lid is closed.

Also Read: How to keep a gaming laptop cool [Complete Guide]

Conclusion

By following these methods, you can customize your laptop’s power behavior and keep it running with the lid closed. Whether you prefer adjusting power settings through the Control Panel, delving into the Registry Editor, using Command Prompt commands, or creating tasks in Task Scheduler, these approaches give you the flexibility to override default sleep settings.

Remember, while these methods are effective, it’s essential to be cautious, especially when modifying the Windows Registry. Always back up your data and create a system restore point before making changes to ensure you can revert if needed.

How to keep your laptop on when closed is a valuable skill that can enhance your productivity and convenience. By utilizing the power settings and external peripherals, you can ensure that your laptop remains operational even when the lid is shut.

Additionally, being able to fix sticky keys on your laptop keyboard can significantly improve your typing experience and prevent frustrating errors. With these two articles in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to troubleshoot common laptop issues and optimize your usage.

So next time you encounter these problems, don’t hesitate to refer back to our articles for helpful guidance. Keep exploring the world of technology and happy computing.