Windows 11/10: How to keep your monitor on when the laptop is closed

You might find that a Windows 11/10 laptop running with the lid shut can cause it to fall asleep, even if there is an external monitor. This is how you can stop it.

You might consider closing your laptop’s lid if you are connecting an external monitor to it. To make more desk space, you could also place the device on a stand. Windows does not allow you to do this because of the default power options. Close the lid and sleep mode will be activated.

You will find out how to turn your Windows 11/10 laptop off even with its lid closed. This article will show you how to diagnose a problem with your computer when the lid closes and it continues to go to sleep.

Related: Keep the lid on your Mac’s laptop closed .

How to Change the Happenings when you Close Your Laptop Lid

Adjust the power settings on Windows 11/10 to ensure your computer does not go into sleep mode when you close its lid. To do this, visit the Power Options Management Console via the Control Panel.

1. You can open the Start menu, Control Panel, Open.

2. Please choose the relevant category Hardware and Sound.

3. Select Power Options.

Note: Battery Click the icon in the system tray, right-corner on the taskbar Power Options.

4. Select Choose what closing the lid does On the left side, you will see the Power Options window.

5. The drop-down menus are located next to each item When I close the lid This section will show you how your laptop responds to closing its lid. You can set the default preferences Sleep/Hibernate For both On battery and Plugged in. Do nothing.

Warning: Do nothing The following are the recommendations: Plugged in column.

6. Please select the Save changes Click the button below to save your changes.

Now you can close the laptop, then continue to use the operating system through an external display or keyboard and mouse. You can change the lid preference back to what they were before, by following the same steps as above Do nothing to Sleep/Hibernate.

Is your laptop still forced to sleep when you close the lid? Check out these 7 Solutions

Close the lid and restart your computer if it still happens that the operating systems goes into sleep mode when the lid is closed. If you still have the problem, these are some solutions.

1. Change Power Settings to Defaults

Reverting to the default power plan settings for your laptop is a good place to start. This should fix any conflicts or broken configurations that prevent your laptop from applying your preferred lid settings.

1. You can open the Power Options Window and Select Change plan settings Next to the active energy plan.

2. Select Restore default settings for this plan.

3. Select Yes to confirm.

Then, you must return to the screen that was previously shown Choose what closing the lid does, A new power plan is created.

2. Run the Power Troubleshooter

Windows 11 and 10 both have a built in troubleshooter. This can identify and fix issues related to power management settings that are not compatible. It will detect and resolve any conflicts in power management settings.

1. You can open the Start menu, Troubleshoot settings Choose and Open.

2. Select Other troubleshooters.

3. Select Run Next to Power.

3. Quick Startup Disable

Fast Startup Your laptop will run faster when it is turned on, It can cause conflicts with power management. You can disable the feature to see if it makes any difference.

1. You can open the Power Options Window and Select Choose what the power buttons do.

2. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.

3. Scroll down to uncheck the box beside Turn on fast startup (recommended) > Save changes.

4. Install Battery Driver

You can reinstall your battery driver using the Device Manager if you have the issue still not resolved. Be sure to disconnect the power adapter first.

1. Click the right-click Start Click on the button to select Device Manager.

2. Expand Batteries Choose and Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.  

3. Select Action >> Uninstall device You can find it in the menu bar.

4. Select Uninstall.

5. Your laptop should be turned off. Reconnect the device with a power supply and then reboot your laptop. During startup, the operating system will automatically reinstall your battery driver.

5. Windows Update

You can fix this by checking and then applying the pending updates to your operating system.

1. You can open the Start menu Choose and Settings.

2. Select Windows Update.

3. Select Check for updates.

Windows Update will detect any update and you can select one Download and Install To install them. You can also select Advanced options >> Optional updates Install any updates to your hardware if they are available.

6. Run SFC and DISM

Your laptop will continue to fall asleep even after you shut its lid, Run the System File Examiner and Deployment Imaging Servicing and Administration Next, command-line utilitie.

1. Click the right-click Start Click on the button to select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).

2. The following command should be executed:

sfc /scannow

3. The next command is the one below:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

7. Updating Laptop Drivers

The drivers could be updated to resolve any firmware problems that are preventing your device from being used with the screen shut. You can check the site of the laptop manufacturer Dell, , HP, , Lenovo, Updating the BIOS or UFI settings for your laptop .