Using a laptop with the lid closed is a common setup, especially when connecting to external monitors, keyboards, and mice. While you typically need to open the lid to press the power button to initially turn on a laptop from a completely shut down state, you can configure Windows to stay on or wake up while the lid is closed. This allows you to use the laptop effectively in a docked setup without needing to keep the lid open.
The key to using your laptop with the lid closed in Windows is to change the power settings that determine what happens when you close the lid.
Configuring Windows to Stay On with Lid Closed
To ensure your laptop remains active or can be easily woken up while the lid is closed, you need to adjust the "When I close the lid" power option. This setting is found within the Windows Power Options control panel.
Here’s how to change this setting based on the Windows Power Options reference:
- Open the Start Menu: Click the Windows Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Search for Power Settings: Type "lid" into the search bar.
- Access Lid Settings: Select the entry that says "Choose what closing the lid does". This will open a specific page within the Power Options settings.
Once this window opens, you will see options that control the behavior of your laptop for several actions, including pressing the power button, pressing the sleep button, and importantly, closing the lid.
Adjusting "When I Close the Lid" Setting
On the "Choose what closing the lid does" screen, you'll find dropdown menus for "When I close the lid". There are typically two columns for this setting: one for when the laptop is On battery and one for when it is Plugged in.
| Action | On battery | Plugged in |
|---|---|---|
| When I close the lid | Sleep (Default) | Sleep (Default) |
To use your laptop with the lid closed, you need to change the desired setting(s) from their default (often Sleep or Hibernate) to "Do nothing".
- For use while docked: You will most likely want to change the "Plugged in" setting to "Do nothing". This ensures the laptop stays on when connected to power, even if the lid is closed.
- For portability (less common for closed-lid use): You could also change the "On battery" setting to "Do nothing", but this is generally not recommended as it will drain your battery rapidly while the lid is closed.
Steps to Change the Setting:
- Click the dropdown menu under the "Plugged in" column next to "When I close the lid".
- Select "Do nothing" from the list of options.
- (Optional) If you need the laptop to stay on with the lid closed while on battery power (again, generally not recommended), click the dropdown menu under the "On battery" column next to "When I close the lid" and select "Do nothing".
- Click the "Save changes" button at the bottom of the window to apply your new settings.
After saving these changes, whenever your laptop is plugged in and you close the lid, it will remain powered on and active. You can then use external displays, keyboards, and mice connected to it.
Waking the Laptop
If you have configured the laptop to go to Sleep or Hibernate when the lid is closed, but want to wake it up without opening the lid (assuming the "Do nothing" setting isn't used, or it went to sleep for other reasons), you might be able to wake it using:
- Pressing a key on an external keyboard.
- Clicking an external mouse.
- Pressing a power or wake button on a connected docking station (if applicable).
However, the specific effectiveness of these methods depends on your laptop's hardware and BIOS settings. The reference primarily guides you on preventing the laptop from entering a power-saving state upon lid closure using Windows settings.
By configuring the "When I close the lid" setting to "Do nothing" in Power Options, you effectively enable your laptop to be used while the lid is closed, functioning as a desktop alternative when connected to external peripherals.
