Power Save Mode turns off your display and slows your processor to cut energy use, but you can disable it whenever you need full performance

Power Save Mode (also called Sleep Mode or Power Saver) is a built-in feature that dims or shuts down your screen and reduces processor speed after a set period of inactivity. It saves electricity but slows your work. Turning it off is straightforward on Windows, Mac, and Linux machines — the steps differ slightly by operating system, but the process takes under a minute on any of them.

You have two choices: disable Power Save Mode entirely so it never activates, or wake your computer when ready if it has already entered the mode. Most people want to do both — turn off the automatic trigger and exit the current sleep state right now.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to System > Power & battery, and change the "Screen off after" and "Sleep after" timers to Never.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, select Lock Screen, and set "Turn display off after" to Never.
  • To wake a computer that is already in Power Save Mode, move your mouse, press any key, or press the power button briefly.
  • If you disable Power Save Mode entirely, your computer will stay on and use more electricity, so consider re-enabling it when you leave your desk for extended periods.

Disable Power Save Mode on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click System in the left sidebar, then select Power & battery (Windows 11) or Power & sleep (Windows 10).

You will see two timers: "Screen off after" and "Sleep after". Set both to Never using the dropdown menus. On battery power, Windows may show separate settings — change those to Never as well if you want Power Save Mode off regardless of whether you are plugged in.

Close Settings. Power Save Mode will no longer set up automatically. If your computer is already asleep, move your mouse or press any key to wake it.

Disable Power Save Mode on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Lock Screen in the sidebar (or Energy Saver in older macOS versions).

Find the option that says "Turn display off after" and set it to Never. If you see a separate "Computer sleep" setting, set that to Never as well. Close System Settings when you are done.

To wake a Mac that is already asleep, press any key or click the trackpad.

Wake Your Computer when ready If It Is Already in Power Save Mode

If your computer screen is dark or blank, it is likely in Power Save Mode already. Move your mouse, click the trackpad, or press any key on the keyboard. The screen should come back on within a few seconds.

If the keyboard and mouse do not work, press the power button once — a brief tap, not a long hold. A long hold will shut down the computer instead of waking it. Wait a few seconds for the screen to respond.

Understand What Power Save Mode Actually Does

Power Save Mode has two stages. First, your display turns off after a set time (usually 10 to 15 minutes). Second, your computer enters Sleep Mode, where the processor slows dramatically and most functions pause. The computer uses very little power in Sleep Mode but can wake up in seconds.

Disabling Power Save Mode means your screen and processor stay at full power all the time. This uses significantly more electricity. If you work at your desk all day, disabling it makes sense. If you step away for hours, you may want to re-enable it to save power and reduce your electric bill.

Adjust Power Save Mode Instead of Disabling It Completely

You do not have to choose between always-on and always-sleeping. You can set the timers to longer intervals so Power Save Mode activates only after you have been away for a while.

On Windows, set "Screen off after" to 30 minutes and "Sleep after" to 1 hour. On Mac, set "Turn display off after" to 30 minutes. This way, your computer saves power when you are genuinely away but stays active during your work sessions. You can always adjust these numbers later if the timing does not suit your routine.

Check for Third-Party Power Management Software

Some computers, especially laptops from manufacturers like Dell, Lenovo, or HP, come with their own power management software that may override Windows or Mac settings. If you disable Power Save Mode in Settings but it still activates, check your manufacturer's control panel.

Look for an app named something like "Power Manager", "Battery Management", or "Energy Management" in your Start Menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac). Open it and look for Power Save or Sleep settings there. Disable or adjust them to match your Windows or Mac settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off Power Save Mode damage my computer?

No. Leaving your computer on continuously does not harm the hardware. It will use more electricity and may generate slightly more heat, but modern computers are designed to run 24/7 if needed. If you are concerned about heat, make sure your desk fan or room ventilation is adequate.

Why does my computer go to sleep even though I disabled Power Save Mode?

A third-party power management app from your computer manufacturer may be overriding your Windows or Mac settings. Check your manufacturer's control panel (Dell, Lenovo, HP, etc.) and disable Power Save Mode there as well. You may also need to restart your computer for the change to take effect.

Can I set different Power Save Mode timers for when I am plugged in versus on battery?

Yes. On Windows, scroll down in Power & battery settings and you will see separate options for "Plugged in" and "On battery". Set the plugged-in timers to Never and the battery timers to whatever interval you prefer. On Mac, the settings explore to both states, but you can use a third-party app if you need separate timers.

What is the difference between Sleep Mode and Hibernation?

Sleep Mode pauses your work but keeps your computer powered on and ready to wake in seconds. Hibernation saves your work to the hard drive and powers off completely, using almost no electricity but taking longer to wake up. Most computers use Sleep Mode by default. You can enable Hibernation on Windows through Power Options if you want maximum power savings.

Does disabling Power Save Mode affect my computer's lifespan?

Leaving your computer on continuously may slightly reduce the lifespan of the hard drive or battery (on laptops), but the difference is minimal with modern hardware. If you are concerned, enable Power Save Mode when you know you will be away for more than an hour, then disable it during your work day.