Keep Laptop On When Closed: Easy Settings Guide

Closing your laptop lid usually puts it to sleep, which interrupts downloads, remote access, or long-running tasks. This guide shows you how to change the power settings in Windows and macOS so your laptop keeps running with the lid closed, while still letting you choose when it should sleep.

What You’ll Need

• Your laptop (Windows 10/11 or macOS)
• Administrator access to change system settings
• An external monitor, keyboard, and mouse if you plan to use it as a desktop
• For laptops with a removable battery, a charged battery or AC power

Step-by-Step

Windows 10 and 11

1. Open Control Panel. You can search for it in the Start menu.
2. Click Hardware and Sound, then Power Options.
3. On the left sidebar, click Choose what closing the lid does.
4. Next to When I close the lid, you’ll see two drop-down menus: one for On battery and one for Plugged in. For each, select Do nothing from the drop-down list.
5. Click Save changes at the bottom of the window.
6. If you don’t see the option, you may need to click Change settings that are currently unavailable at the top of the window first.

macOS (Ventura and later)

1. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
2. In the sidebar, click Battery.
3. Click the Options button on the right.
4. Under Wake for network access, ensure it’s set to Always or Only on Power Adapter. This allows network activity while closed.
5. To prevent sleep entirely when closed, you’ll need a third-party app like Amphetamine or KeepingYouAwake. These apps can override the system sleep timer.
6. Alternatively, use the built-in caffeinate command in Terminal. Open Terminal and type caffeinate -d to prevent the display from sleeping, then close the lid. The command runs until you press Ctrl+C.

Using an External Monitor (Clamshell Mode)

1. Connect your laptop to an external monitor via HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C.
2. Connect a keyboard and mouse (or use Bluetooth).
3. On Windows, the lid setting above works as expected.
4. On macOS, simply close the lid while the external display is connected and the laptop is plugged in. It will stay awake and use the external monitor.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to change both battery and plugged-in settings: If you only change the plugged-in option, your laptop will still sleep on battery when closed.
• Assuming macOS has a built-in lid setting: Unlike Windows, macOS doesn’t offer a simple “do nothing” option for the lid. You need an external display or a third-party app.
• Not saving changes: In Windows, you must click Save changes or the new settings won’t apply.
• Closing the lid while a critical update is running: Even with the lid open, some updates may pause when the screen turns off. Keep an eye on progress.

Tips

• Use a cooling pad: With the lid closed, heat builds up faster. A cooling pad helps prevent overheating.
• Keep it plugged in: Running with the lid closed on battery drains quickly. For long tasks, stay plugged in.
• Adjust screen timeout: Even with the lid open, you can set the screen to turn off after a few minutes to save power while the laptop stays awake.
• Use sleep timers as a safety net: If you forget to change the lid setting, set a sleep timer for when you’re away, so the laptop doesn’t run forever.
• Check for updates: Some laptops have BIOS/UEFI settings that override Windows. Check your manufacturer’s support page if the setting doesn’t stick.

Troubleshooting

• Laptop still sleeps when closed: Double-check the lid settings in Control Panel. If it still sleeps, your laptop’s BIOS may have its own power management. Restart, press F2/F10/Del to enter BIOS, and look for “Lid Switch” or “Action When Lid Closed” and set it to “Do Nothing” or “No Action”.
• External monitor doesn’t wake up: On Windows, press Win+P and select “Extend” or “Second screen only”. On macOS, try unplugging and replugging the cable, or restart the laptop.
• Laptop overheats: If it gets too hot, it may shut down to protect itself. Ensure vents are clear, use a cooling pad, and consider setting the lid to sleep when on battery to reduce heat.
• Battery drains fast: Even with the lid closed, the laptop is fully active. Reduce brightness (if using external display, it doesn’t matter) and close unnecessary apps. Check power settings to ensure it’s not in “High performance” mode unnecessarily.
• macOS caffeinate doesn’t work: Make sure you’re typing caffeinate -d (the -d flag prevents the display from sleeping). If you close the lid and it still sleeps, you may need to use a third-party app like Amphetamine, which has a “closed display mode” option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to keep my laptop on with the lid closed?

Yes, as long as the laptop has adequate ventilation. Avoid placing it on soft surfaces like a bed or couch that can block vents. Using a stand or cooling pad is recommended.

Will this void my warranty?

No, changing power settings is a standard feature. It won’t void your warranty, but if the laptop overheats due to misuse (like covering vents), that could be considered physical damage.

Can I still use the laptop’s keyboard and screen when the lid is closed?

No, the built-in keyboard and screen are inaccessible when closed. You’ll need an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

Why does my laptop wake up when I open the lid even if I set it to “Do nothing”?

That’s a separate setting. In Windows, you can also set “When I open the lid” to “Do nothing”. On macOS, opening the lid always wakes it from sleep, but if it wasn’t sleeping, it just stays on.

Does this work for all laptops?

Most modern laptops support this, but some ultrabooks or tablets may have limited options. Check your manufacturer’s documentation for specific limitations.

How do I revert the changes?

Simply go back to the same settings and change the drop-downs back to “Sleep” (Windows) or disable the third-party app (macOS).

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