How Do I Turn Off Screen Timeout on Windows 11?
How Do I Turn Off Screen Timeout on Windows 11?
3 Answers

Here’s how to keep your Windows 11 screen from timing out and getting all sleepy on you. Check it out!
How to Tweak Your Screen Timeout Settings
First off, you want to dive into those settings:
- Hit Win + I. This opens the Settings window. From there, mosey on over to System > Power & Battery.
- Under the Screen & Sleep section, fiddle around with the timeout values for both “When plugged in” and “On battery power.” You can set different times for when your screen turns off and when your whole system goes to sleep.
And hey, if you’re someone who likes doing things the old-school way:
- Open the Control Panel using Win + R, type in
control.exe powercfg.cpl
, and hit Enter. Then, head to Choose power plan > Change plan settings. - Or for something quick, just right-click the Start button and choose Power Options > Additional power settings.
Why Even Bother with Screen Timeout?
You might be asking, \”Is this even worth my time?\” Well, yes! Here’s why:
- Save That Juice: Timeout rations power, potentially saving around 15% (or so they say).
- Keep ‘Em Looking Good: Helps protect your screen from stuff like OLED burn-in or the dreaded backlight burnout.
- Sneaky Shield: It keeps nosy neighbors from peeking at what you\’re doing when you’re out and about.
Oops, Something’s Not Working Right
Got some hiccups? You likely aren’t alone…
If the settings are being stubborn:
- It might be some third-party power tool messing things up or your graphics drivers may be outdated.
- Fix it with a good old Windows Update—don’t forget the optional updates, which can have vital driver updates.
- Or reset the power setting to default in PowerShell:
powercfg /restoredefaultschemes
And if the timeout setting is all grayed out:
- Double-check you’re logged in as an admin.
- Make sure no sneaky Group Policy is policing your settings.
If no dice, whip up a custom power plan using Command Prompt:
powercfg /duplicatescheme SCHEME_CURRENT powercfg /change monitors-timeout-ac 10
For the Tinkerers Out There
Want an extra layer of control?
- Automate It: Set a task in Task Scheduler to turn your screen off at set times (like bedtime).
- Tailored for Multiple Screens: For those with a multi-monitor setup, head to Settings > System > Display > Advanced. Turn off the “Enable VRR/Freesync” feature.
Extra Tips Just Because You’re Special
In a pinch? Try this handy keyboard shortcut to quickly reset the display driver: Win + Ctrl + Shift + B. It can temporarily blank the screen.
And, if you love your tools, consider using third-party apps like ScreenOff or Monitor Energy Saver. They offer nifty ways to play with timeout settings.
So, with these pointers, you’ll be a screen timeout maestro in no time at all!

Trying to stop your Windows 11 screen from timing out can be done in a few easy steps. Let\’s dive in.
First off, using Windows Settings is pretty straightforward. Hit that Windows key + I to open up Settings, and head over to System > Power & Battery. Look for the section called \’Screen and sleep.\’ You\’ll see options for when to turn the screen off. If you don\’t want it to turn off at all, set both the \’On battery power\’ and \’Plugged in\’ options to \’Never.\’ Easy peasy!
Now, if you’re more of a classic Control Panel fan, you can do it that way too. Press Windows + R, type in \’control,\’ and bam, you’ve got the Control Panel open. Go to System and Security > Power Options. On the left side, there should be an option that says \’Choose when to turn off the display.\’ Click that. Make sure to hit \’Change settings that are currently unavailable\’ so you can actually make changes. Then, set the options to \’Never\’ for both battery and plugged-in modes, and don’t forget to save those changes.
Feeling adventurous? There’s also the Command Prompt way. Open up Terminal by pressing Win + X and selecting either Command Prompt or PowerShell. For plugged-in mode, just type:
powercfg -change -monitor-timeout-ac 0
And for the battery mode, put in:
powercfg -change -monitor-timeout-dc 0
Typing \’0\’ basically tells the computer, \’Nope, don’t turn off that display.\’
So, with these little tricks, you’ll keep your screen from dozing off unexpectedly. Whether your machine\’s running on battery power or plugged in, you choose how it behaves. Happy tinkering!

Okay, so you want to keep your screen from nodding off on Windows 11? Here’s what you gotta do:
- Pop Open Settings:
Just hit Win + I on your keyboard and the Settings will open right up for you.
- Find System Stuff:
Once Settings is open, click on System over there in the sidebar. That’s where all the system magic happens.
- Head to Power & Battery:
In the System section, you’ll want to click on Power & battery. That’s where your screen timeout settings are hiding.
- Time to Tweak the Timeout:
Scroll down until you see Screen and sleep. Here, you can adjust how long it takes for the screen to snooze both when you’re running on battery and when you’re plugged in. Want it to stay awake all the time? Just set both options to Never.
- And You’re Done!
Your preferences get saved automatically. Just close out of Settings, and you’re all set!
If things are still acting up, there’s a backup plan:
- Look up Control Panel in the search bar and venture inside.
- Head over to Hardware and Sound and then Power Options.
- Find your power plan and click on Change plan settings.
- Expand the Display section within Change advanced power settings.
- Set Turn off display after to Never if that’s what you fancy.
- Hit Apply, then OK, and you’re golden!
And hey, if you’re still scratching your head, maybe take a quick peek at Microsoft’s forums for some extra tips from folks who’ve been in your shoes.