Have you ever closed your laptop lid for a quick break, only to find it completely turned off when you opened it again? Annoying, right? By default, Windows 11 puts your laptop to sleep, hibernates it, or even shuts it down when you close the lid. But the good news is—you can change this behavior with just a few tweaks.
In this guide, we’ll walk you step by step through how to stop your laptop from turning off when you close the lid in Windows 11. We’ll also cover why this happens, what each power option does, and which setting is best for you.
Why Does Your Laptop Turn Off When You Close the Lid?
Windows 11 assumes that when you close the lid, you’re done using the laptop. To save power, it automatically executes the lid-close action based on your current power plan. This action could be:
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Sleep – Saves your session in RAM and uses minimal power.
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Hibernate – Saves your session to disk and uses no power, but takes longer to resume.
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Shut Down – Turns off completely.
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Do Nothing – Keeps everything running even with the lid closed.
If you’re someone who connects your laptop to an external monitor or just prefers to keep things running in the background, you’ll want the “Do Nothing” option.
Benefits of Changing Lid-Close Settings
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Multitasking with an external monitor – Close your laptop lid and still use it with a desktop setup.
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Background tasks – Keep downloads, updates, or rendering running.
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Convenience – No more interruptions when you quickly shut the lid.
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Control – Customize exactly how your laptop reacts.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Stop Laptop Turning Off When Closing Lid in Windows 11
Step 1: Open Control Panel
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Press Windows + S to open the search bar.
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Type Control Panel and hit Enter.
Step 2: Go to Power Options
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Inside Control Panel, select Hardware and Sound.
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Click on Power Options.
Step 3: Change Lid-Close Action
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From the left sidebar, click Choose what closing the lid does.
Step 4: Select “Do Nothing”
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You’ll see two options: On Battery and Plugged In.
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From the dropdown menu next to When I close the lid, select Do Nothing.
Step 5: Save Changes
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Hit Save changes at the bottom.
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That’s it! Your laptop will no longer turn off when you close the lid.
Alternative Way: Using Settings App in Windows 11
Not a fan of the old-school Control Panel? Here’s how to do it via Settings:
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Navigate to System > Power & battery.
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Under Related settings, click Additional power settings.
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This will open the same Power Options menu where you can adjust the lid-close action.
What Each Lid-Close Option Means
Do Nothing
Your laptop stays on, even with the lid closed. Perfect if you use an external monitor.
Sleep
Good for short breaks. Uses little power but resumes quickly.
Hibernate
Best for conserving power for longer periods without losing your work.
Shut Down
Closes all programs and powers down your laptop completely.
Best Settings for Different Scenarios
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Students: Set to Sleep when on battery and Do Nothing when plugged in.
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Gamers: Choose Do Nothing to keep downloads and updates running.
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Office Users: Opt for Do Nothing if using an external monitor setup.
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Travelers: Stick with Sleep or Hibernate to save battery on the go.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Laptop Still Turns Off After Changing Settings
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Double-check your chosen power plan. Sometimes changes only apply to one plan.
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Ensure you saved the changes properly.
External Monitor Goes Black When Closing Lid
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In display settings, set the external monitor as the primary display.
Battery Drains Quickly in Do Nothing Mode
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This is normal because your laptop stays active. Use Sleep if you want to save power.
Advanced Tip: Create a Custom Power Plan
If you want more control, you can create your own power plan:
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Go to Power Options.
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Select Create a power plan.
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Choose High performance or Balanced as a base.
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Customize lid-close action, display, and sleep settings to your liking.
Should You Always Use “Do Nothing”?
Not necessarily. While convenient, it keeps your laptop running, which may lead to:
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Higher battery consumption.
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More heat if ventilation is blocked.
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Security risks if you leave your laptop unattended.
Use it wisely—mainly when connected to power and an external display.
Tips for Safe Laptop Use with Lid Closed
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Place your laptop on a hard surface for ventilation.
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Avoid covering it with fabrics (like a blanket).
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Consider a cooling pad if you run heavy tasks.
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Lock your screen before closing the lid for security.
Quick Recap
To stop your laptop from turning off when you close the lid in Windows 11:
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Open Control Panel > Power Options.
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Select Choose what closing the lid does.
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Change the setting to Do Nothing.
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Save changes, and you’re done.
Conclusion
Changing the lid-close action in Windows 11 is a simple yet powerful tweak that gives you more control over your laptop. Whether you want to keep downloads running, use an external monitor, or just avoid interruptions, setting the lid to “Do Nothing” can make your laptop much more convenient. Just remember to balance performance with battery life and safety.
FAQs
1. Will my laptop overheat if I close the lid and keep it running?
Yes, it can if ventilation is blocked. Always place it on a hard, flat surface.
2. Can I set different lid actions for battery and plugged-in mode?
Absolutely! Windows 11 lets you set separate behaviors for both scenarios.
3. Why does my external monitor turn off when I close the lid?
You need to set your external monitor as the primary display in settings.
4. Can I stop my laptop from sleeping when I close the lid without using Control Panel?
Yes, you can access the same option through Windows Settings > Power & battery.
5. Is it safe to always use “Do Nothing” mode?
It’s safe if you’re plugged in and the laptop has good ventilation, but not ideal for battery use.