By default, when you close the lid of your laptop, Windows 11 either puts it to sleep, hibernates, or shuts down—depending on your power settings. But what if you want to keep the laptop running even when the lid is closed?
Maybe you’re connecting your laptop to an external monitor, downloading large files, or running a long task like rendering or backups. In those cases, you’ll want your laptop to stay awake with the lid shut.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to keep your screen on (or system running) when the laptop lid is closed in Windows 11 Settings—step by step.
Why Keep Your Laptop Awake with the Lid Closed?
There are several scenarios where this is useful:
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External monitor setup – use your laptop like a desktop with keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
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⏬ Large downloads – let your laptop keep working without interruption.
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Media streaming – keep music or video running without keeping the lid open.
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⚡ Background tasks – useful for rendering, updates, or server-like functions.
Step 1: Open Power Options
Windows 11 hides these settings under Power Options.
Steps:
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Press Windows key + S (or click the Search icon).
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Type Control Panel and open it.
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Go to Hardware and Sound → Power Options.
Step 2: Change What Closing the Lid Does
This is where the magic happens.
Steps:
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In Power Options, click “Choose what closing the lid does” (on the left sidebar).
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You’ll see options for When I close the lid under:
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On battery
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Plugged in
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Open the dropdown menu and choose:
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Do nothing
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Click Save changes.
Now your laptop will stay awake even when you close the lid.
Step 3: Connect to External Display (Optional)
If your goal is to use the laptop as a desktop replacement:
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Connect your external monitor via HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C.
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Press Windows key + P to open display options.
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Choose Second screen only to use only the external display.
Close the lid, and your monitor will keep working without interruption.
Step 4: Adjust Sleep and Power Settings
To prevent your laptop from turning off unexpectedly:
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Go to Settings → System → Power & battery.
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Expand Screen and sleep.
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Set longer timers or disable automatic sleep while plugged in.
This ensures your laptop doesn’t go idle too quickly.
Tips for Safe Use
While it’s convenient to keep your laptop awake with the lid closed, keep these tips in mind:
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Watch out for overheating – most laptops rely on open airflow. If you keep the lid closed, make sure ventilation isn’t blocked.
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⚡ Use plugged-in mode – this prevents battery drain during heavy tasks.
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️ Use a cooling pad – if your laptop gets hot, a cooling pad can help.
Troubleshooting: Laptop Still Sleeps When Lid Is Closed?
If your laptop still goes to sleep after changing settings:
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Double-check Power Options → ensure “Do nothing” is selected.
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Update your graphics drivers (sometimes external display issues cause this).
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Try toggling between different power plans (Balanced, High Performance, Ultimate Performance).
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Run Windows Update to fix known bugs.
Conclusion
Learning how to keep the screen on when your laptop is closed in Windows 11 is a game-changer if you’re using external monitors, downloading files, or running tasks in the background.
Just tweak the Power Options → Closing lid action → Do nothing, and you’re set. Pair it with smart sleep settings, and your laptop can work like a full desktop replacement.
FAQs
1. Can I keep my laptop on with the lid closed while on battery?
Yes, but it will drain your battery faster. It’s best to do this when plugged in.
2. Will my laptop overheat if I use it with the lid closed?
It depends—most laptops are fine, but ensure proper ventilation to avoid heat issues.
3. Can I use two external monitors with the lid closed?
Yes, as long as your laptop supports multiple displays.
4. Does “Do nothing” mean my laptop won’t lock?
No—if you have Require password on wakeup enabled, it will still lock when idle.
5. Is this setting reversible?
Absolutely. Just go back to Power Options and change the “When I close the lid” action anytime.