How to Stop Laptop Turning Off When Closing Lid in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / August 31, 2025

Have you ever closed your laptop lid for a moment, only to come back and find it turned off or in sleep mode? Frustrating, right? By default, Windows 11 is set to put your laptop into sleep, hibernate, or shut down mode when the lid is closed. While this helps save power, it’s not always convenient—especially if you’re downloading a large file, running updates, or connected to an external monitor.

The good news? You can easily change this behavior. In this guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step methods to stop your laptop from turning off when you close the lid in Windows 11.

Why Does Windows 11 Turn Off When You Close the Lid?

Windows laptops come with built-in power management settings. When you close the lid, Windows assumes you’re done using the device and applies a power-saving action.

By default, these actions are:

  • Sleep mode – Saves your session in memory and reduces power consumption.
  • Hibernate – Saves your session to disk and uses even less power.
  • Shut down – Completely powers off the laptop.

While useful for battery saving, these settings can interrupt important tasks.

Reasons to Keep Laptop Running with Lid Closed

So why would you want your laptop to stay on when the lid is closed?

  • Using an external monitor: Many people use laptops with a desktop-like setup.
  • Downloading large files: You don’t want your laptop shutting down mid-download.
  • Running background tasks: Updates, rendering, or long simulations.
  • Listening to music or podcasts: Closing the lid shouldn’t stop your media.

Think of it like leaving your car running while parked—sometimes you need the engine on, even if you’re not behind the wheel.

Method 1: Change Power Settings via Control Panel

The most reliable way to stop your laptop from turning off when closing the lid is through the Control Panel.

Steps:

  1. Press Win + S and type Control Panel, then open it.
  2. Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
  3. In the left sidebar, click Choose what closing the lid does.
  4. Under When I close the lid, you’ll see two columns:
    • On battery
    • Plugged in
  5. Change both options to Do nothing.
  6. Click Save changes.

That’s it! Now, closing your laptop lid won’t turn it off.

Method 2: Change Lid Action via Windows Settings

Windows 11 also allows you to tweak power settings through the new Settings app.

Steps:

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Navigate to System > Power & battery.
  3. Scroll down and click Additional power settings (this opens classic Control Panel).
  4. Follow the same steps as in Method 1.

This is basically another route to the same solution.

Method 3: Use Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you like the command line, you can configure lid settings using powercfg.

Steps:

  1. Press Win + X and choose Windows Terminal (Admin).
  2. Type the following command to check current settings: powercfg /query
  3. To change the lid action, use: powercfg /setacvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_BUTTONS LidAction 0 powercfg /setdcvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_BUTTONS LidAction 0
    • 0 = Do nothing
    • 1 = Sleep
    • 2 = Hibernate
    • 3 = Shut down
  4. Apply changes with: powercfg /apply

Method 4: Using Group Policy Editor (For Windows Pro/Enterprise)

If you’re on Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use Group Policy Editor.

Steps:

  1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Power Management > Button Settings
  3. Find “Select the lid switch action”.
  4. Set it to Enabled and choose Do nothing.

This enforces the setting across all power modes.

Method 5: Adjust Advanced Power Options

For more fine-tuned control, you can edit advanced settings.

Steps:

  1. Go to Control Panel > Power Options.
  2. Click Change plan settings next to your active power plan.
  3. Select Change advanced power settings.
  4. Expand Power buttons and lid > Lid close action.
  5. Set both On battery and Plugged in to Do nothing.
  6. Apply and save changes.

Method 6: Keep Laptop On with External Monitor

Many users want to keep their laptop running when the lid is closed because they’re using an external monitor.

Steps:

  1. Connect your external monitor.
  2. Right-click the desktop and choose Display settings.
  3. Set the external monitor as Main display.
  4. Apply Method 1 to set lid close action to “Do nothing.”

Now you can close your laptop lid and continue using your external monitor seamlessly.

Method 7: Third-Party Software

If you want even more flexibility, some third-party tools let you customize lid behavior:

  • TweakPower – Full control over power management.
  • Insomnia – Prevents your PC from sleeping.
  • Caffeine – Keeps your system awake temporarily.

⚠️ Always download such tools from official or trusted sources to avoid malware.

Pros and Cons of Keeping Laptop On When Lid is Closed

Pros

  • Better multitasking with external monitors.
  • Continue downloads, updates, or background tasks.
  • More control over your workflow.

Cons

  • Overheating risk – Laptops cool through keyboard vents; closed lids trap heat.
  • Battery drain – Laptop may use more power when left running.
  • Accidental overheating in bags – Be careful not to close and stash it while running.

Best Practices for Safe Use

If you’re going to keep your laptop running with the lid closed, follow these safety tips:

  • Place your laptop on a flat, ventilated surface.
  • Use a cooling pad if possible.
  • Don’t leave it running in a backpack or drawer.
  • Monitor battery and system temperatures.

Troubleshooting: What If Settings Don’t Work?

Sometimes, even after changing settings, the laptop still turns off. Here’s what to check:

  1. Update Windows 11 – Power management bugs are fixed in updates.
  2. Update drivers – Especially chipset and power drivers.
  3. Check BIOS settings – Some laptops have lid behavior controlled by BIOS.
  4. Reset power plans – Run: powercfg -restoredefaultschemes

Alternative Approaches

If you don’t want your laptop running fully, but also don’t want it shutting down, you can:

  • Set lid action to Sleep (saves power but resumes quickly).
  • Set it to Hibernate (saves battery but takes longer to resume).
  • Use Hybrid sleep (best of both worlds).

Final Thoughts

Stopping your laptop from turning off when you close the lid in Windows 11 is easy once you know where to look. Whether you use the Control Panel, Settings app, PowerShell, or Group Policy, the key setting is changing the lid close action to “Do nothing.”

This tweak is especially handy if you use an external monitor setup, run long tasks, or simply prefer your laptop staying active with the lid down. Just remember to keep an eye on heat and battery health to avoid issues.

FAQs

1. Can I keep my laptop running with the lid closed while charging?
Yes, just set the lid close action to Do nothing for the “Plugged in” option.

2. Will keeping the lid closed damage my laptop?
Not if it’s well-ventilated. The risk comes from overheating if airflow is blocked.

3. Can I stop my laptop from sleeping only when connected to an external monitor?
Yes, set “On battery” to Sleep and “Plugged in” to Do nothing.

4. Why does my laptop still turn off after changing settings?
Check BIOS settings, driver updates, or reset your power plan.

5. Is it bad for the battery to keep the laptop running with the lid closed?
Not necessarily, but constant heat buildup can shorten battery life over time.

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