5 Ways to Fix a Windows Computer Screen That Doesn’t Turn Off After Set Time

Power settings, interfering devices, and many other items can cause this issue. Here’s how to fix the problem.

Windows 10 will turn off the screen after a set time, allowing you to take a break without shutting down your device or putting it into Sleep mode. Also, it might keep away your information from curious eyes and save some energy if you are using a laptop without plugging it in.

If that doesn’t happen on your Windows 10 PC and the screen remains on, there might be an issue with your settings. This guide shows you what setting options you should change so that Windows turns your screen off after set time.

1. Check Power & Sleep Settings

This is the first setting that you need to check. Here is how you can do it:

1. Click Start, then head to Settings > System.
2. From the left pane menu, select Power & sleep.
3. Check the Screen section.
4. If the options are set to Never, you need to readjust them. You can set the option for when your laptop is on battery power or when it’s plugged in.

Once you have changed Screen settings, take a look at Sleep settings. While you can keep your laptop or PC turned on while the screen turns off, it might create conflicts if Sleep settings are not appropriate.

To avoid any problems, make sure the options for On battery power, PC goes to sleep and for When plugged in PC goes to sleep after are not set to Never.

2. Run Power Troubleshooter

A computer screen that doesn’t turn off after set time represents a power-related problem. This is why running the Power troubleshooter might fix it. Here is how you can do it:

1. Click Start, then head to Setting > Update & Security.
2. From the left-hand menu, select Troubleshoot.
3. Click Additional troubleshooters and scroll down to Find and fix other problems.
4. Click Power > Run the troubleshooter.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to fix the problem.

3. Look for Apps Running in the Background

An app could keep running without you noticing, and it prevents your device from turning off the screen or entering Sleep mode. For example, Windows 10 assistant, Cortana, might keep getting activated by certain keywords. Also, if you have opened cloud storage or any other online synchronization app is running, you should close it.

Related: How to Prevent Apps From Running in the Background in Windows 10

The best way to fix this is to check Task Manager:

1. Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. Select the Processes tab.
3. Select an app and click End task.

4. Check Advanced Power Settings

If you are copying a large folder from your device to an external USB flash drive and your screen doesn’t turn off after the set time, you need to take a look at advanced power settings:

1. In the Start menu search bar, search for Control Panel and select the Best match.
2. From the View by menu, select Large icons or Small icons.
3. Click Power options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings.
4. Within the Power Options window, head to Multimedia settings > When sharing media.
5. Choose Prevent idling to sleep for On battery and Plugged in.
6. Click Apply > OK.

5. Check Peripheral Devices

When your USB devices keep disconnecting and reconnecting, it will prevent Windows 10 from turning off the screen. You can fix this by unplugging all USB devices such as keyboard, mouse, external hard drive, etc. and check if this solves the problem. If this fixes it, connect your devices one at a time to find out which USB device causes the problem.

In case you can’t identify the problematic USB device, you should run the Windows 10 troubleshooter. As it might take a while to run an individual troubleshooter for keyboard, Bluetooth, or printer, you should use the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

Follow these steps to do so:

1. In the Start menu search bar, search for Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. Type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic.
3. Press Enter. This will open the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.
4. Click Next to start the troubleshooting process.

Note: A malfunctioning USB port might also cause this issue.

Make Windows 10 Turn Your Screen Off

These solutions show what you can do if your computer screen doesn’t turn off after the set time. A Windows 10 update may cause it, but it can come up at any time. If you see this issue again, restart your device first, as this may be enough to fix it.

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