Windows 11 PCs, by default, go into sleep mode after a certain amount of time. If you want to change your PC’s sleep delay (or turn it off entirely), go to Settings. This is how.
Sleeping vs. Turning Off Your Screen
Sleeping and turning off your screen are two distinct (but related) actions in Windows 11. When you put your computer to sleep, it enters a low-power mode, which temporarily turns off certain parts of the hardware to save power. Your PC’s screen will turn off while you sleep.
How to Adjust Your PC’s Sleep Delay in Settings
- To change the length of time it takes for your PC to sleep, go to Settings by pressing Windows+i on your keyboard. Alternatively, right-click the Start button and choose “Settings” from the menu that appears.
- In Settings, select “System” from the sidebar, then “Power & Battery.”
- If the “Screen and Sleep” section in the Power and Battery options is closed, click to open it. Several options will be displayed on the menu. You’ll see four of them if you have a battery-powered portable PC or tablet. If you have a desktop computer, you will only have two options.
- Similarly, to change the sleep delay when your PC is plugged in, select a time from the drop-down menu labeled “When plugged in, put my device to sleep after.” Choose “Never” if you never want your computer to sleep.
- On the same Settings page, just above the sleep options, you can use the “turn my screen off after” options to set a time delay for when your screen will turn off, independent of going to sleep.
After that, exit Settings. Your modifications have already been saved. If you chose a time for any of the options, your PC will either turn off its screen or go to sleep after that time. Pleasant dreams!