Keeping your screen from going dark in Windows 11 isn’t rocket science, but it’s easy to get caught out if you’re not familiar with the settings. Usually, it’s just a matter of tweaking your power options, but sometimes they don’t stick or you end up navigating through a few menus. Here’s a quick guide based on what’s worked for plenty of Aussies trying to keep things on, especially during long sessions or presentations.
How to Keep Your Screen from Turning Off in Windows 11
Basically, you want to change your power plan settings, which decide how long your PC waits before turning the screen off or going to sleep. These settings can be a bit hidden, but here’s the lowdown.
Method 1: Use the Settings Menu — the easiest way
If your display keeps turning off unexpectedly, it’s often because the default power plan has it set that way. To fix it:
- Open Settings by clicking on Start and then selecting the Settings gear icon (
Windows + Iworks too). - Go to System, then click Power & Battery. Yep, it’s under there.
- Scroll down to the Screen and sleep section.
- Change both the On battery power, turn my screen off after and When plugged in, turn my screen off after to Never. On some setups, you might see “Never” ready to go; on others, you may need to pick a really long time and select “Never” manually if you don’t want it to turn off.
This controls when the display switches off — so setting it to Never keeps the screen on, at least till you decide otherwise. Just a heads up: On laptops, keeping the screen on forever can drain your battery quicker than you think. If you’re plugged in, no worries.
Once you’ve set it to Never, just close the menu. No need to save — the changes are auto-applied. On some machines, you might need to restart or log out for it to take effect, but mostly it’s instant.
Method 2: Tweak Advanced Power Settings for more control
If the regular menu doesn’t cut it, especially if you want to fine-tune different profiles or set specific behaviours for various scenarios, you can do this through the classic Control Panel.
- Search for Control Panel in the Start menu and open it.
- Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
- Click on Change plan settings next to your current power plan.
- Select Change advanced power settings.
- In the new window, expand Display, then set Turn off display after to Never. Also, check other related options like Console lock display off timeout if available.
This method gives you finer control and might fix situations where Windows stubbornly reverts your settings—especially after updates or sleep modes.
Why bother? Well, if your display keeps turning off mid-task and the basic settings don’t seem to hold, diving into advanced options can do the trick.
Tips for Keeping Your Screen from Turning Off in Windows 11
- Use a screensaver or a simple keep awake app if you’re noticing flickering or odd sleep issues. Sometimes Windows behaves weird after updates.
- If you’re on a laptop, keep an eye on your battery — leaving the screen on all the time can sap the lot faster than you’d think.
- Some apps, like Zoom or PowerPoint, can override your default power settings. Have a look at their specific options if your screen still turns off unexpectedly.
- Third-party apps like “Keep Me Awake” can do the job if Windows itself isn’t playing ball.
- And don’t forget: once you’re done, revert to energy-saving mode to save your battery — or you might come back to a dead device.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make my screen stay on all the time on battery?
Set both On battery power, turn my screen off after and When plugged in, turn my screen off after to Never. Basically, set both to “Never” in the Power & Battery menu.
Will leaving the screen on burn through my battery quickly?
Yeah, it will. The display uses a lot of juice, so if you leave it on for hours without plugging in, it’ll drain faster than a ute in the Outback. Better to keep it on while plugged in, or use a screensaver if you want to prevent burn-in without chewing your battery.
Can I set different power options for different users?
Absolutely. Windows allows each user to have their own profile, so everyone can customise their own screen timeout settings if need be.
Any quick shortcuts for toggling this stuff?
No direct shortcut, but pinning the Settings app to your taskbar or setting up a desktop shortcut makes it easy. You can also right-click the battery icon and select Power & Sleep settings for a quick hop.
What do I do if it keeps turning off even after all that?
Check if any third-party tools or manufacturer bloatware are interfering. Sometimes, specific power apps provided by the device maker or updates reset your settings. Restarting the PC might help, but if it keeps happening, it’s worth hitting up the forums or support pages for your particular device—there might be a hidden toggle or a driver update needed.
Summary of How to Keep Your Screen On
- Open Settings > System > Power & Battery
- Set display timeout to Never
- Optional: Tweak advanced settings for more control
- Test it out and make sure your screen stays on
This should help keep your screen on during long zoom calls, presentations, or just binge-watching your favourite Aussie series. Windows isn’t always clear with these options, but a bit of fiddling usually sorts it out.