


Why doesn't my laptop sleep when the lid is closed in Windows?
Jul 10, 2025 pm 12:50 PMTo fix a laptop not sleeping when closing the lid in Windows, first check if the lid close action is set to "Sleep" in Power Options; if grayed out, address potential conflicts. Next, disconnect external devices or docking stations that may prevent sleep. Then, disable wake privileges for certain devices via Device Manager. Additionally, review power plan settings to ensure they align with sleep behavior and check for any apps preventing sleep. Lastly, update BIOS, drivers, and Windows if issues persist.
If your laptop isn’t sleeping when you close the lid in Windows, it’s probably due to a setting that’s not configured the way you expect. It’s a common issue, and usually not a sign of any real hardware or system problem — just a small configuration mismatch.

Let’s break down the most common reasons and how to fix them.
1. Lid Close Action Is Set to Do Nothing (or Something Else)
Windows lets you set what happens when you close the lid — and by default, it might not be sleep. Some laptops even ship with this set to “Do nothing,” especially if they’re used plugged into an external monitor or dock regularly.

To check and change this:
- Go to Control Panel > Power Options
- Click Choose what closing the lid does on the left
- Under both Battery and Plugged in, make sure the dropdown says Sleep
If it’s grayed out or says "Not available," keep reading — there may be other settings interfering.

2. Your Laptop Is Connected to External Devices or Docking Station
Sometimes, having peripherals like USB drives, mice, keyboards, or docking stations connected can prevent the system from sleeping. This is especially true for devices that are not fully powered down or have wake capabilities.
Try this:
- Unplug all non-essential devices
- If using a docking station, disconnect it
- Then test closing the lid again
If it works now, plug things back in one by one to find the culprit.
Some devices (like network adapters or Bluetooth) can also wake your PC. You can disable their wake privileges:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand sections like Network Adapters, Keyboards, and Mice
- Right-click each device > Properties > Power Management
- Uncheck Allow this device to wake the computer
3. Power Plan Settings Are Overriding Lid Behavior
Even if the lid action is set to sleep, some advanced power settings might override it. For example, if the system thinks it's still in active use, it won’t sleep.
Check these:
- In Power Options, click Change plan settings next to your current plan
- Click Change advanced power settings
- Look under Sleep and ensure the time values make sense
- Also check Power buttons and lid — make sure it’s consistent with what you want
Another thing to watch: some apps (like media players or download managers) can tell Windows to stay awake. If you're streaming or downloading something in the background, that might delay sleep.
4. BIOS or Driver Issues Can Interfere
In rare cases, outdated BIOS or drivers can cause unexpected behavior. If you’ve tried everything and it still doesn’t work:
- Check for BIOS updates from your laptop manufacturer
- Update power management drivers via Device Manager or the manufacturer’s site
- Make sure Windows is fully updated too
This is less common, but worth checking if the above steps don’t help.
That should cover most scenarios. The main culprits are usually the lid action setting itself or something keeping the system awake. Fix those, and your laptop should go to sleep like it’s supposed to when you close the lid.
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