Turning off auto shutdown in Windows 11 isn’t too tricky, but it can catch you out since Windows loves to set things up for power saving by default. If you’re working late or just hate being caught out by unexpected shutdowns, tweaking a few settings can make a big difference. Usually, you’d mess around with the power plan settings, but sometimes Windows’ own scheduled tasks or background processes can still cause shutdowns, so it’s worth having a look in other spots too.
How to Turn Off Auto Shutdown in Windows 11
Follow these steps, and your PC should stay awake longer—or forever if you want—without those annoying unexpected shutdowns. Heads up: some of the wording might be a bit different depending on updates, so keep an eye out.
Step 1: Open the Control Panel
First off, hit the Start menu and type “Control Panel”. You can shortcut it by pressing Windows key + R, typing control, and hitting Enter. That’ll give you access to some of the classic system options that newer Windows interfaces hide away.
On some setups, it’s easier just finding Control Panel in the Start menu, especially if you’ve customised your layout a bit.
Step 2: Navigate to Power Options
Inside Control Panel, click on Hardware and Sound, then Power Options. If you don’t see it right away, make sure your view is set to “Large icons” or “Small icons”.
Microsoft puts all this stuff here because it’s a main spot for managing how your PC uses power—perfect for tweaking those auto shutdown settings.
Step 3: Pick a Power Plan
You’ll see a few plans listed. Usually, “Balanced” is the default. Click on Change plan settings next to whichever plan is active—that’s where the magic happens.
Step 4: Adjust Sleep and Screen Settings
In this menu, you’ll see options like Put the computer to sleep and Turn off the display. Set Put the computer to sleep to Never for both On battery power and Plugged in. This is the main switch to stop Windows from sleeping or shutting down without you giving the nod.
Just a heads up: on some laptops, Windows might still shut down unexpectedly due to updates or background tasks. You might need to hunt around or disable scheduled shutdown tasks.
Step 5: (Optional) Fine-Tune with Advanced Settings
For more control, hit Change advanced power settings. A small window pops up, letting you tweak more specific options like processor management, sleep timers, or USB suspend settings.
Normally, under Sleep > Hibernate after, set it to Never to stop Hibernate from kicking in and shutting the PC down after a set time. On some machines, this can also affect auto shutdown behaviour.
Not quite sure why, but on one setup, fiddling with these advanced options stopped weird shutdowns. On another, it didn’t do a thing. Windows can be a bit quirky like that.
Tips for Turning Off Auto Shutdown in Windows 11
- If your PC still shuts down unexpectedly, check out scheduled tasks in Windows Task Scheduler. Sometimes, there’s a task set to shut down or restart at certain times.
- While it might seem odd, disabling fast startup in Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power button does and unchecking Turn on fast startup (recommended) can sometimes sort out shutdown issues caused by software conflicts.
- On some systems, BIOS settings like Wake on LAN or Power Loss Restart can trigger unexpected shutdowns or restarts. Check your BIOS/UEFI if you’re still having issues—just be careful, it’s a bit deeper in the tech.
- Remember, Windows updates can also trigger shutdowns if your system is set to install updates and restart automatically. Double-check under Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing power settings affect my device’s performance?
Too right. Disabling sleep or auto shutdown might keep your computer going longer, but it can also make it run hotter or drain the battery faster if it’s a laptop. It’s all about finding the right balance—what suits your needs.
Will my laptop battery last longer if I turn off auto shutdown?
Nah. In fact, it might drain quicker since your machine stays on and active. If battery life’s a concern, it’s better to fine-tune these settings carefully.
Can I go back to the default settings if I’ve stuffed things up?
Sure can. Just select the “Balanced” plan again or hit Restore plan defaults in the Power Options to go back to the original setup.
Is it safe to leave my computer on all the time?
Mostly, yeah. But it’s still good to restart now and then—updates, clearing caches, that sort of thing. Windows doesn’t love being on 24/7 without a breather.
Why does my PC still shut down after I’ve set everything up?
Sometimes, it’s hardware related—overheating, dodgy power supply, or a worn-out battery if it’s a laptop. Or, worst case, background processes scheduled to shut down. Checking the Event Viewer (here) can give you a few clues.
Summary
- Open Control Panel from the Start menu or run dialog.
- Go to Power Options (“Hardware and Sound > Power Options”).
- Pick your active plan and click Change plan settings.
- Set Put the computer to sleep to Never for both battery and plugged-in modes.
- (Optional) Dive into Change advanced power settings for more tweaks.
Hopefully, this saves a few hours off someone’s day. Just remember: Windows can be a bit weird sometimes, so if one thing doesn’t work, try another tweak or two. Good luck, mate!