Change your power settings to keep your computer awake

Your computer goes to sleep to save power and reduce wear on the hardware. You can override this by adjusting your power plan settings in Windows or macOS. The steps differ slightly between operating systems, but both let you set a specific time before sleep kicks in — or disable sleep entirely while plugged in.

On Windows, open Settings, go to System, then Power & battery. Select your current power plan and adjust the "Screen and sleep" settings. You can set the screen to turn off after a set number of minutes while keeping the computer awake, or set both to "Never" if you want no automatic sleep at all. On macOS, go to System Settings, then Battery or Energy Saver, and adjust the "Turn display off after" slider — you can also check "Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off" to keep the computer running even when the screen is dark.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and macOS both let you set how long before the computer sleeps, or disable sleep entirely in the power settings menu.
  • You can set different sleep times for when the computer is plugged in versus running on battery, so you do not have to sacrifice battery life on laptops.
  • Some programs — like video players or presentation software — can temporarily override sleep settings while they are running.
  • Keeping your computer awake all the time uses more power and generates more heat, so consider whether you actually need sleep disabled or just delayed.

Use different settings for plugged-in and battery power

If you use a laptop, you can set one sleep time for when it is plugged in and a different one for when it is running on battery. This way you can keep the computer awake during work without draining the battery when you are away from a power outlet.

On Windows, go to Power & battery settings and select "Power plan settings" for your current plan. You will see separate options for "On battery" and "Plugged in" — set the plugged-in time to "Never" and the battery time to whatever suits your needs. On macOS, the Battery tab in Energy Saver lets you set one time, and the Power Adapter tab lets you set another. This approach keeps your computer responsive when you need it without wasting battery life when you are mobile.

Let specific programs override sleep settings automatically

Some applications — video players, presentation software, and streaming apps — can tell your computer not to sleep while they are running. This happens in the background without you having to change your power settings.

If you regularly watch videos or give presentations, this feature means your computer will stay awake during playback or your slideshow, then return to normal sleep settings once you close the program. Most modern media players and presentation tools do this by default. You do not need to do anything to enable it — the program handles it automatically. If a program is not preventing sleep when you think it should, check its settings menu for an option like "Prevent sleep" or "Keep display on."

Disable sleep mode entirely if you run a server or background task

If your computer runs downloads, backups, or other tasks that need to continue uninterrupted, you may want to disable sleep completely. Set both the screen timeout and the sleep timeout to "Never" in your power settings.

Be aware that keeping a computer awake all the time increases power consumption and heat output. If you are doing this on a laptop, the battery will drain faster and the machine will run warmer. On a desktop, your electricity bill will be slightly higher. Only disable sleep if you actually have a task that requires it — if you just want the computer to stay awake during work hours, set a longer timeout instead of disabling sleep entirely. You can always adjust the setting back down when you no longer need it.

Use keyboard or mouse activity to reset the sleep timer

If you want the computer to sleep when you are not using it but stay awake while you are working, you can rely on the default behavior: any keyboard or mouse activity resets the sleep timer. This means as long as you are actively using the computer, it will not sleep.

This is the most practical approach for most people because it balances power saving with responsiveness. You do not have to change any settings — just keep working, and the computer will stay awake. If you step away and forget to move the mouse, the computer will sleep after the timeout you set, which is usually what you want anyway. If you find yourself stepping away frequently but want the computer to stay awake, increase the timeout rather than disabling sleep entirely.

Check for settings that override your power plan

Some programs or Windows features can force your computer to stay awake regardless of your power settings. If your computer is not sleeping when you expect it to, check whether a program is actively preventing it.

On Windows, open Command Prompt and type powercfg /lastwake to see what woke the computer last, or powercfg /requests to see what is currently preventing sleep. This will show you the program name and the reason it is blocking sleep. On macOS, open Terminal and type pmset -g assertions to see what is preventing sleep. Once you know which program is doing it, you can either close the program, adjust its settings, or let it continue if the behavior is intentional.

Adjust display sleep separately from computer sleep

You can set your screen to turn off before the computer goes to sleep. This saves power and reduces eye strain without interrupting your work or background tasks.

On Windows, set the "Turn off display after" time to something shorter than the "Put the computer to sleep after" time. For example, you might turn off the display after 5 minutes but let the computer stay awake for 30 minutes. On macOS, the "Turn display off after" setting in Energy Saver works the same way. This approach is useful if you want to reduce power use and heat without losing your open programs and active connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling sleep damage my computer?

No, but it will increase wear on the power supply and cooling system over time. Keeping a computer awake continuously uses more electricity and generates more heat. If you need the computer awake for a specific task, do that — just do not leave it running 24/7 indefinitely if you do not have to.

Why does my computer keep waking up from sleep?

A program, scheduled task, or USB device is sending a wake signal. Use powercfg /requests on Windows or pmset -g assertions on macOS to see what is doing it. Common culprits are network activity, mouse movement, keyboard input, or a scheduled backup or update.

Can I set different sleep times for different times of day?

Windows and macOS do not have built-in scheduling for this, but you can manually change your power settings at different times, or use third-party scheduling software. For most people, setting one reasonable timeout — like 15 or 30 minutes — works for both work and personal time.

Does my monitor sleep separately from my computer?

Yes. Your monitor has its own power settings, usually controlled by buttons on the monitor itself or by your graphics card settings. You can set the monitor to sleep independently of the computer, which is why you might see a black screen even though the computer is still running.

What is the difference between sleep and hibernation?

Sleep keeps your computer in a low-power state with everything in memory, so it wakes up when ready. Hibernation saves everything to disk and powers off completely, using almost no power but taking longer to wake. Windows offers both; macOS uses sleep by default. For most users, sleep is the right choice.