How to Enable Laptop to Stay On When Closed

Laptops have become an essential part of our daily lives, whether it’s for work, entertainment, or staying connected. However, one common frustration for laptop users is the inability to keep their laptop running when the lid is closed. Many people prefer to have their laptop continue functioning even when closed, especially when using external monitors or other peripherals. If you’re looking to enable your laptop to stay on when closed, this article will guide you through the process.

Firstly, it is important to note that not all laptops have this feature available in their settings. Some laptops are designed to automatically hibernate or sleep when the lid is closed, as a way to conserve battery life. However, there are ways to override this default setting and keep the laptop running.

The most straightforward way to enable your laptop to stay on when closed is to adjust the power settings. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel on your laptop. You can do this by searching for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar, typically located at the bottom left corner of the screen.
2. In the Control Panel, click on the “Hardware and Sound” category.
3. Under the “Power Options” section, click on “Change what closing the lid does”.
4. In the “Power Options” window, you will see options for both “On battery” and “Plugged in” settings. Adjust these settings according to your preferences. You can choose to either sleep, hibernate, shut down, or do nothing when the lid is closed. To keep your laptop running, select the “Do nothing” option for both “On battery” and “Plugged in”.
5. Click “Save changes” to apply the new settings.

It’s important to note that changing these power settings may have an impact on your laptop’s battery life. When the lid is closed, the laptop’s display will still be on, which can drain the battery more quickly. Therefore, it’s advisable to keep your laptop plugged in when using it with the lid closed for an extended period.

If you cannot find the power options mentioned above or if they are already set to “Do nothing,” there may be other settings or software that are automatically overriding these changes. In such cases, you can try updating your laptop’s drivers and BIOS firmware to ensure you have the latest software version. You can usually find these updates on the manufacturer’s website or through the Windows Update feature.

In addition to adjusting power settings, you can also use external peripherals to keep your laptop running when closed. For example, by connecting an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor to your laptop, you can keep it functioning while the lid is closed. Simply ensure that the laptop is connected to a power source, and select the “Do nothing” option in the power settings as mentioned earlier.

In conclusion, enabling your laptop to stay on when closed can be a useful feature, especially when using external displays or peripherals. By adjusting the power settings or using external devices, you can keep your laptop running seamlessly even with the lid closed. However, it’s important to be aware of the impact on battery life and consider keeping the laptop plugged in when using it for an extended period.