Have you ever been listening to music or a podcast on your laptop, only for it to stop as soon as you close the lid? That can be frustrating — especially if you’re using your laptop to play music through speakers or a Bluetooth device while multitasking elsewhere.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you exactly how to keep music playing when your laptop is closed on Windows 11. We’ll cover built-in power settings, advanced tweaks, and helpful tips to make sure your audio never stops when the lid is down.
🎧 Why Music Stops When You Close the Laptop Lid
By default, Windows 11 puts your laptop into Sleep mode when you close the lid. Sleep mode saves power by pausing apps and turning off hardware components — including audio output.
This is great for battery life, but not for continuous playback. The solution? Change what Windows does when you close the lid.
🛠️ Step-by-Step Guide: Keep Music Playing When Laptop Lid Is Closed
Follow these easy steps to prevent your laptop from going to sleep when the lid is shut:
1️⃣ Open Control Panel
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
Type
controland press Enter.This opens the classic Control Panel.
2️⃣ Go to Power Options
In Control Panel, search for Power Options in the top-right search bar.
Click Power Options to open power management settings.
3️⃣ Choose What Closing the Lid Does
In the left sidebar, click Choose what closing the lid does.
You’ll now see settings for When I close the lid under “Power and sleep buttons and lid settings.”
4️⃣ Change the Action for Lid Close
Under When I close the lid, choose:
Do nothing (for both On Battery and Plugged In, or whichever you prefer).
Click Save changes.
Now, when you close your laptop lid, Windows 11 will keep running — and your music will keep playing.
5️⃣ Adjust Sleep Settings (Optional)
If you still notice playback stopping:
Open Settings (Windows + I).
Go to System → Power & battery → Screen and sleep.
Set Put my device to sleep after to a longer duration or Never (if you’re plugged in).
This prevents Windows from automatically going to sleep after inactivity.
⚠️ Important Battery & Heat Considerations
When you choose Do nothing for lid close action, your laptop stays on even when closed. Keep these points in mind:
Heat buildup: Make sure your laptop is on a hard surface to avoid overheating. Closed lids can trap heat.
Battery drain: If you choose this setting on battery power, your laptop will keep running — which will consume more battery.
External monitors: If you use an external display, this setting also allows you to close the lid while continuing to use the display.
🖼️ Summary Table: Settings to Change
| Setting | Recommended Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| When I close the lid | Do Nothing | Keeps laptop running with lid closed |
| Sleep timer | Never (Plugged In) | Prevents automatic sleep that stops music |
| Power plan | Balanced / High Performance | Ensures smooth playback |
🔧 Alternative Solutions
If you don’t want to change global lid-close behavior, try these alternatives:
✅ Use an External Player
Use a Bluetooth speaker or smart speaker connected to your phone for music instead of laptop.
✅ Keep Lid Open Slightly
If you just want to conserve battery, dim the display manually (Windows + A → Brightness slider).
✅ Third-Party Tools
Some laptops support vendor-specific software (Dell Power Manager, Lenovo Vantage, HP Command Center) that allow fine-tuned lid-close behavior, even per power mode.
🧠 Troubleshooting
If music still pauses:
Check audio device: Your output device may disconnect when lid closes (especially Bluetooth). Set it as the default playback device under Settings → System → Sound.
Update drivers: Outdated sound drivers can cause playback issues.
Disable Hybrid Sleep: Go to Power Options → Change plan settings → Advanced settings → Sleep → Allow hybrid sleep → Off.
✅ Conclusion
Keeping your music playing when your laptop is closed on Windows 11 is easy — just change the lid close action to Do nothing and adjust your sleep settings. With this tweak, you can keep streaming Spotify, YouTube, or any media player without interruptions.
Just remember to keep your laptop ventilated and plugged in if you plan to run it closed for long periods.
❓ FAQs About Keeping Music Playing with Laptop Lid Closed
Q1: Will my laptop overheat if I keep it closed while running?
A1: It can if ventilation is blocked. Place it on a hard surface and avoid soft bedding or couches.
Q2: Can I keep music playing while saving battery?
A2: Yes, but music playback will still use power. Lower screen brightness and turn off unnecessary apps to extend battery life.
Q3: Does this work for YouTube music in a browser?
A3: Yes — as long as the browser stays open, playback will continue even with the lid closed.
Q4: Will this affect my external monitor setup?
A4: Yes — many people use this setting so they can close the lid and still use their external monitor and keyboard.
Q5: Can I revert the setting easily?
A5: Absolutely — go back to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what closing the lid does → change it back to “Sleep.”