Closing your laptop lid usually sends it into sleep mode. This is a power-saving feature designed to conserve battery and prevent overheating. But what if you want to use an external monitor, download a large file, or run a server application while keeping your laptop running with the lid closed? Fortunately, there are several ways to achieve this. This guide will walk you through the steps for Windows, macOS, and even Linux systems, covering everything from basic settings to advanced configurations.
Understanding Why You Might Want This
Before diving into the “how,” let’s consider the “why.” There are numerous legitimate reasons for wanting to keep your laptop screen on while the lid is closed.
Using an external monitor is a common scenario. Many users connect their laptops to larger displays for a more comfortable and productive workspace. In this case, the laptop screen becomes redundant when closed, but you still want the computer to perform its tasks.
Another reason is background processes. Downloading large files, rendering videos, or running servers often requires your laptop to remain active even when not actively in use. Closing the lid in these situations would interrupt the process, which is undesirable.
Sometimes, aesthetics or space constraints also play a role. You might want to hide your laptop away while still using it with an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
Windows: Taming the Power Options
Windows offers built-in settings that allow you to control what happens when you close the laptop lid. These settings are easily accessible through the Control Panel or Settings app.
Accessing Power Options
The first step is to access the Power Options in Windows. There are several ways to do this.
You can search for “Power Options” in the Windows search bar. The top result should be a Control Panel item.
Alternatively, you can right-click the battery icon in the system tray (usually in the bottom right corner of the screen) and select “Power Options.”
Another method involves navigating through the Control Panel: open the Control Panel, select “Hardware and Sound,” and then click on “Power Options.”
Configuring Lid Closure Behavior
Once you’ve accessed the Power Options, look for the “Choose what closing the lid does” link on the left-hand side of the window. Click this link to open the system settings.
You’ll see two columns: “On battery” and “Plugged in.” These columns allow you to specify different behaviors based on whether your laptop is running on battery power or is plugged into a power outlet.
For both columns, you’ll find a dropdown menu for “When I close the lid.” The default setting is usually “Sleep.”
To keep your laptop running when you close the lid, change the dropdown menu option to “Do nothing” for both “On battery” and “Plugged in.”
Click the “Save changes” button to apply the new settings.
Testing the Configuration
After saving the changes, test the configuration by closing your laptop lid. Your laptop should continue to run without going into sleep mode. If you have an external monitor connected, it should remain active.
Important Note: When your laptop is running with the lid closed, it can generate heat. Make sure your laptop has adequate ventilation to prevent overheating. Avoid placing it on soft surfaces like blankets or pillows, which can block airflow.
Advanced Power Settings
For more granular control, you can explore the advanced power settings. In the Power Options window, click on “Change plan settings” next to your selected power plan. Then, click on “Change advanced power settings.”
This opens a new window with a tree-like structure of power settings. You can navigate through these settings to customize various aspects of your laptop’s power behavior.
For example, you can adjust the “Hard disk” settings to control how long the hard drive remains active before spinning down. You can also modify the “Sleep” settings to customize sleep timers and wake-up behavior.
The “Power buttons and lid” section is particularly relevant. Here, you can find the same “Lid close action” settings that you configured earlier. However, this section also provides access to other power button settings, such as what happens when you press the power button.
macOS: Fine-Tuning Energy Saver Preferences
macOS also offers settings to control what happens when you close the laptop lid. These settings are located in the System Preferences under the Energy Saver section.
Accessing Energy Saver Preferences
To access the Energy Saver preferences, click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
In the System Preferences window, click on “Battery”. Then click on “Power Adapter” in the left sidebar if you want to change the settings while the laptop is plugged in.
Preventing Sleep on Lid Closure
By default, closing the lid on a MacBook will put it to sleep. To prevent this, you need to ensure that the “Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off” checkbox is selected. This checkbox is available in the Energy Saver preferences.
When this checkbox is selected, your MacBook will continue to run even when the lid is closed and the display is off.
Important Considerations:
- External Display Required: macOS generally requires an external display to be connected for the computer to stay awake with the lid closed. If no external display is connected, the laptop will likely still go to sleep.
- Power Adapter: Ensure that your MacBook is plugged into a power adapter. macOS is more likely to allow the laptop to remain awake with the lid closed when it’s connected to power.
Using Command Line Tools
For more advanced control, you can use command line tools like pmset. This tool allows you to customize various power management settings, including lid closure behavior.
Open the Terminal application (located in /Applications/Utilities/).
To prevent the system from sleeping when the lid is closed, you can use the following command:
sudo pmset -a lidwake 0
This command disables the “lidwake” feature, which wakes the computer when the lid is opened. However, it doesn’t directly prevent sleep on lid closure.
To truly prevent sleep on lid closure, you may need to combine this with other pmset settings and ensure that an external display is connected.
For example, you can use the following command to keep the system awake indefinitely:
caffeinate -i -d
This command runs the caffeinate utility, which prevents the system from sleeping. The -i option prevents idle sleep, and the -d option keeps the display active. You can run this command in the background while keeping the lid closed.
Third-Party Utilities
Several third-party utilities are available that can help you manage your MacBook’s power settings and prevent sleep on lid closure. These utilities often provide a more user-friendly interface than the command line tools.
Examples of such utilities include Amphetamine and KeepingYouAwake. These apps allow you to easily toggle various power management settings and prevent your MacBook from sleeping under specific conditions.
Linux: Power Management Configuration
Linux systems offer various ways to control power management settings, including lid closure behavior. The specific methods vary depending on the desktop environment you’re using (e.g., GNOME, KDE, XFCE).
GNOME Desktop Environment
If you’re using the GNOME desktop environment, you can access the power management settings through the Settings app.
Open the Settings app and navigate to “Power.”
Look for the “When the lid is closed” setting. This setting allows you to specify what happens when you close the laptop lid.
The available options typically include “Suspend,” “Hibernate,” and “Do nothing.” To keep your laptop running, select “Do nothing.”
KDE Plasma Desktop Environment
In the KDE Plasma desktop environment, you can configure lid closure behavior through the System Settings.
Open the System Settings and navigate to “Power Management.”
Select “Energy Saving.”
Under the “On AC Power” and “On Battery Power” sections, you’ll find settings for “When laptop lid is closed.” Choose “Do nothing” from the dropdown menu to prevent the laptop from sleeping when the lid is closed.
XFCE Desktop Environment
XFCE also offers power management settings that allow you to control lid closure behavior.
Open the Settings Manager and navigate to “Power Manager.”
In the “General” tab, look for the “When lid is closed” setting. Select “Do nothing” to prevent the laptop from sleeping when the lid is closed.
Using systemd
systemd is a system and service manager used by many Linux distributions. It provides a powerful way to configure power management settings.
You can edit the logind.conf file to customize lid closure behavior.
Open the /etc/systemd/logind.conf file with a text editor as root (using sudo).
Look for the following lines:
#HandleLidSwitch=suspend
#HandleLidSwitchDocked=ignore
Uncomment the HandleLidSwitch line and change the value to ignore:
HandleLidSwitch=ignore
You can also uncomment and set the HandleLidSwitchDocked line to ignore if you want the same behavior when the laptop is docked.
Save the changes and restart the systemd-logind service:
sudo systemctl restart systemd-logind
Command Line Tools (Xrandr)
If you are using an external monitor, the xrandr command can be useful for managing display outputs. You can use it to identify your external monitor and ensure it is enabled even when the laptop lid is closed. First, run xrandr in the terminal without any arguments to see a list of available displays and their current status. From the output, identify the name of your external display (e.g., HDMI-1, VGA-0). You might need to enable it if it’s disabled.
Troubleshooting: Common Issues and Solutions
Even with the correct settings, you might encounter issues preventing your laptop from staying on when the lid is closed. Here are some common problems and their solutions.
Overheating: As mentioned earlier, overheating is a significant concern. Ensure your laptop has adequate ventilation. Clean the air vents regularly to remove dust and debris. Consider using a laptop cooling pad to improve airflow.
Driver Issues: Outdated or corrupted drivers can sometimes cause unexpected behavior. Update your graphics drivers, chipset drivers, and other relevant drivers to the latest versions.
Conflicting Software: Some third-party applications might interfere with power management settings. Try disabling or uninstalling recently installed software to see if it resolves the issue.
BIOS/UEFI Settings: In some cases, power management settings in the BIOS/UEFI firmware can override the operating system settings. Check your BIOS/UEFI settings to ensure that there are no conflicting power management options.
Hybrid Sleep/Fast Startup: Windows’ Hybrid Sleep and Fast Startup features can sometimes cause issues with lid closure behavior. Try disabling these features to see if it resolves the problem. To disable Fast Startup, go to Power Options > Choose what the power button does > Change settings that are currently unavailable. Uncheck “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” and save changes.
External Monitor Detection: If you’re using an external monitor, ensure that it’s properly detected and configured by the operating system. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the monitor, or updating the monitor drivers.
By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to successfully keep your laptop screen on (or at least the laptop running) when the lid is closed, allowing you to use an external monitor or run background processes without interruption. Remember to prioritize ventilation to avoid overheating.
Why would I want to keep my laptop screen on when closed?
There are several reasons why you might want to keep your laptop screen on when closed. One common scenario is when you’re using your laptop as a server or media hub, connected to an external monitor. In this case, closing the laptop screen could trigger sleep mode, interrupting your tasks. Another reason might be to continue downloading or processing large files without being distracted by the laptop’s display.
Beyond these practical applications, some users might simply prefer to keep the laptop running in the background while focusing on other tasks, such as reading or working on another computer. Keeping the screen on while closed allows for seamless transitions when switching back to the laptop, avoiding the delays associated with waking it from sleep or hibernation. It also allows for continuous monitoring of processes running in the background.
How do I change my power settings on Windows to keep the screen on?
To adjust your power settings on Windows, begin by searching for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and opening it. Once in the Control Panel, navigate to “Hardware and Sound” and then select “Power Options.” Here, you’ll find options to choose or customize a power plan. Click on “Change plan settings” next to your currently selected plan.
In the plan settings, click on “Change advanced power settings.” A new window will appear where you can expand the “Power buttons and lid” section. Under “Lid close action,” you can specify what happens when you close the lid, for both “On battery” and “Plugged in” states. Change the setting to “Do nothing” for both options to prevent your laptop from sleeping or hibernating when the lid is closed. Remember to click “Apply” and “OK” to save your changes.
What about macOS? How do I keep my laptop screen on while closed on a Mac?
On macOS, the built-in settings don’t offer a direct option to keep the screen on while closed. However, you can achieve this by connecting your Mac to an external display, keyboard, and mouse. macOS automatically assumes you want to use the Mac in clamshell mode (screen off, external display active) when these peripherals are connected and the power adapter is plugged in.
If you want to use the Mac without external peripherals and still keep it running with the screen off, you’ll need a third-party application. Several utilities available on the Mac App Store, like Amphetamine or InsomniaX, can prevent your Mac from going to sleep when the lid is closed, even without external devices connected. These apps often provide granular control over sleep settings, allowing you to customize behavior based on your specific needs.
Will keeping my laptop running with the screen off damage it or shorten its lifespan?
Keeping your laptop running with the screen off, in general, won’t significantly damage it or drastically shorten its lifespan, provided it’s properly ventilated. The primary components generating heat are the CPU and GPU. As long as the laptop’s cooling system can effectively dissipate heat while the lid is closed, it should operate safely.
However, prolonged operation at high temperatures can potentially accelerate the degradation of certain components, such as the battery and solid-state drive (SSD). To mitigate this, ensure the laptop is placed on a hard, flat surface to allow for proper airflow. Avoid placing it on soft surfaces like beds or carpets, which can obstruct the vents and lead to overheating. Regularly monitor your laptop’s temperature using system monitoring tools and adjust your usage if necessary.
Are there any battery life considerations when running my laptop with the screen closed?
Yes, there are significant battery life considerations when running your laptop with the screen closed, especially if it’s not plugged in. Even with the screen off, the laptop’s processor, storage, and other components continue to consume power, albeit less than when the screen is active. The rate of battery drain will depend on the tasks the laptop is performing and the overall power efficiency of the device.
When running on battery, the laptop will inevitably drain faster than if it were plugged in. It’s crucial to monitor the battery level and adjust your usage accordingly. If you’re performing resource-intensive tasks, expect the battery to deplete more quickly. Consider using power-saving modes and closing unnecessary applications to extend battery life. For extended periods of use, it’s best to keep the laptop plugged into a power source.
What if my laptop still goes to sleep even after changing the power settings?
If your laptop continues to go to sleep despite adjusting the power settings, there could be several underlying causes. First, double-check that you’ve correctly configured the “Lid close action” setting to “Do nothing” for both “On battery” and “Plugged in” states in the advanced power settings. Ensure you’ve saved the changes by clicking “Apply” and “OK.”
Another potential issue is conflicting settings or third-party applications that might be overriding your power configuration. Review any battery management software or power-saving utilities installed on your system. These programs might have their own sleep settings that conflict with the Windows or macOS settings. Also, consider whether there are any group policies in place (particularly in corporate environments) that could be enforcing specific power management configurations.
Can I keep my laptop screen off only during specific hours, like overnight?
Yes, you can definitely schedule your laptop to keep its screen off during specific hours, such as overnight. On Windows, you can use the Task Scheduler to create a task that sets the power settings at specific times. You’ll need to use command-line utilities like `powercfg` to change the active power plan or to set the display timeout to zero for a specific duration.
Similarly, on macOS, you can use Automator or third-party scheduling apps to achieve the same result. Automator allows you to create workflows that can execute shell scripts or run AppleScript commands to modify the power settings. You can schedule these workflows to run at specific times, effectively turning off the display or preventing sleep during the designated hours. For both operating systems, careful planning and testing are essential to ensure the scheduled tasks work as intended and don’t interfere with other system processes.