Windows 10 lock on lid close

I’m trying to achieve locking of my Windows 10 laptop (Build 14393) on lid closing. I did a lot of research and all I found can be summarized in two groups:

• It’s impossible.
• There was a way on older versions of Windows, using the Task Scheduler in combination with the «AwayModeEnabled» trick, which doesn’t seem to work anymore. In particular triggering of the event doesn’t work.

It would be great if this small feature is going to be implemented in some of the next Windows 10 versions together with the «Do Nothing», «Sleep», «Hibernate», etc. options, but until then I think I’ll be ok with the task scheduler solution (if there is working one of course), too.

So, if anyone else had the same problem, please share your experience 🙂

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Like the information you were able to find, closing the lid of your laptop will shut it down, put it to sleep, or let it hibernate. Locking the PC by closing the lid is currently not a function available in Windows.

We suggest you share your feedback or suggestions on this page for Microsoft to look into this option for future developments in Windows.

Hope this helps.

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Over 100,000 helped in forums for 11 years. I don’t quit for those who are polite and cooperative.

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Actually, I want to leave my network connectivity on, while the lid is closed.

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Then that should have been made clear in your first post if not the very point of it, rather than mentioning it as an afterthought later. If the title had been «Trying to keep network connectivity while the lid is closed» it would be found in searches by others who may have a solution to share and attract the attention here of those who know. You can edit this now.

I don’t think Away mode is included in Windows 10 any longer, and may have disappeared from a Preview build as I recall.

Closing the lid when it is set to Do Nothing won’t allow it to lock but should allow it to stay connected if there is not some factory bloatware Wireless Manager (like with HP’s) that interferes. You’ll always have the best results in cases like this with a Clean Install Windows 10.

Some brand PC’s may also have certain features suspend when the lid is closed no matter what your Power Option settings are.

Over 100,000 helped in forums for 11 years. I don’t quit for those who are polite and cooperative.

Closing the lid does not put pc into sleep mode.

Lately we have noticed that when we wake up our Dell laptop (by opening the lid), it goes directly to the Desktop, without requiring a sign-in. Today I returned from an errand to find the cooling fan loudly whirring (with the lid closed). I opened the lid and, again, went directly to the Desktop. I then right clicked Start and chose Sleep, whereupon the screen went black, the backlit keys went out, and the cooling fan stopped. I closed the lid, reopened it a few minutes later, and was then required to sign in.
It seems that the action of closing the lid is NOT putting the computer into Sleep mode.
I have verified (via Control Panel and Settings) that it is supposed to go to Sleep mode. Can anyone help us to correct this problem—without having to take it to a computer repair shop?

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Disable Fast Startup, then try again.

Press Windows key + X
Click Power options
Click Additional power settings under Related settings
Click Choose what the power button does
Click Change settings that are currently unavailable
Uncheck ‘Turn on fast startup (recommended)

Click Save changes.

Click Restart now and see if it works.

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Method 1: Run the Power troubleshooter and check.
Follow the steps to run the troubleshooter:
Open Control Panel.
Type Troubleshooting in search and click Troubleshooting.
Now type Power in the search option.
Click on Power troubleshooter to run.

Method 2: If the troubleshooter does not work, try this:
Open Control Panel from your Start icon.
Open Network and Sharing Center.
Click on Change Adapter Settings on the left side panel.
Right click on the respective Network Adapter.
Click on Properties.
Click on Power Management tab.
Uncheck the box which states “Allow this device to Wake the Computer”.
Click on OK.

Let us know if this helps!

Microsoft MVP (Windows IT Pro), since 2014 · Windows Insider MVP · Windows Help (www.kapilarya.com)

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The Power Troubleshooter reported that the time before which Windows goes to sleep was «too long,» and that it had been «Fixed.» It was set at 30 minutes. My other Windows 10 laptop is set at Never. (That is, as long as the lid is open. When it closes, the pc goes to sleep.)

In any case, the problem persists. It seems clear that for some reason closing the lid is NOT putting Windows to sleep on this computer.

As to the Network Adapter, I am too timid to attempt that «method.»

Thanks for your attempt to help.

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I tried your suggestion (re Fast Startup) but, alas, no joy! I remain frustrated.

I did find it interesting that a number of other users are experiencing the same problem, and it only began a few weeks ago—after working perfectly for over a year. Maybe I will have to take it to the MS Store. In the meantime we can put the machine into sleep mode manually, via Start | Shut down or sign out.

Thank for you attempt to help.

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Which version of Windows 10 is installed?

Windows 10 Version 1709

It’s surely worth noting that version and build are the same on two pcs, one of which does not have a problem with Sleep mode. (It is Windows 10 Professional, if that matters.)

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I suspect it might be a compatibility issue with this particular model.

Sometimes your computers firmware, which deals with things like power management, which is related to sleep needs to be updated. Remember, the issue you are experiencing here is outside of Windows, where its not resuming from sleep. Windows is in a saved state on the hard disk and can’t manage the hardware resources, thats left up to Firmware (your BIOS) to handle. So, its obvious this more a hardware issue than software, but updated driver software can fix it.

It could suggest you need to update your chipset drivers and BIOS.
I recommend you update the most critical ones: BIOS, Chipset, Display Driver, Network adapters.

If that does not help, you are probably best off rolling back.

There seems to be some early adopter issues at this time with Windows 10 1709, if you can, I recommend you downgrade to your previous version until the Fall Creators Update matures with future cumulative updates.

Open Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery > under Go back to my previous version of Windows 10, click Get started.

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I suspect it might be a compatibility issue with this particular model.
Sometimes your computers firmware, which deals with things like power management, which is related to sleep needs to be updated. Remember, the issue you are experiencing here is outside of Windows, where its not resuming from sleep. Windows is in a saved state on the hard disk and can’t manage the hardware resources, thats left up to Firmware (your BIOS) to handle. So, its obvious this more a hardware issue than software, but updated driver software can fix it.
It could suggest you need to update your chipset drivers and BIOS.
I recommend you update the most critical ones: BIOS, Chipset, Display Driver, Network adapters.
If that does not help, you are probably best off rolling back.
There seems to be some early adopter issues at this time with Windows 10 1709, if you can, I recommend you downgrade to your previous version until the Fall Creators Update matures with future cumulative updates.
Open Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery > under Go back to my previous version of Windows 10, click Get started.

Hello. I would remind you not only that another Windows 10 laptop with the same Fall Creators Update has no problem with the lid closing putting the computer to sleep, but also that the problem Dell worked perfectly for more than a year before this issue began—and that the issue began BEFORE the latest Windows 10 version update.

Your suggested fixes are far beyond my level of computer sophistication.

I can avoid the Sleep mode—or use the «manual» method of putting the pc to sleep.
I will probably end up taking it back to the Microsoft Store and letting the techs there do whatever needs to be done to correct the issue.
Thank you for your interest in my issue.

Windows 10 – How to stop laptop going to sleep when lid closed

By default Windows 10 will make a laptop computer to go sleep when the lid is closed.

The following steps show how to change this, making it so the computer will stay on when the lid is closed.

1. Open the Windows start menu, search for ‘Control Panel’ and open it when it appears
2. 
3. In the search box at the top right of the window, enter ‘Power Options’
4. Click on it when it appears
5. 
6. In the left hand of the window, click on the ‘Choose what closing the lid does’ link
7. 
8. Under ‘Power and sleep buttons and lid settings’ you will find two options for ‘When I close the lid‘ – On battery and Plugged in
9. 
10. Set the options are required and click on the ‘Save changes’ button to save the changes.

Tip: setting not working? Try checking the laptop manufacture website for updated drivers and BIOS updates.

How To Run The Windows 10 Laptop With Lid Closed

Last Updated on February 5, 2021 by admin 9 Comments

Many of us connect our laptops to large external monitors for better convenience and productivity. After connecting the laptop to an external monitor, many users prefer to use an external keyboard and mouse.

When connecting the laptop to an external screen and input device, many of us keep the laptop lid open even while using only the second screen (external monitor) as closing the laptop lid turns off the laptop.

In Windows 10 and earlier versions, by default, the laptop goes into the sleep mode when you close the laptop lid (screen). Because of this, most users keep the lid open even while using only the external monitor (second screen).

The truth is that there is a provision in Windows 10 and earlier versions to let the laptop keep running even after closing the lid without entering the sleep or hibernation state. The feature is very useful for users who use the laptop with an external monitor and external keyboard and mouse.

The feature comes in handy when you want to connect your laptop to a second screen and use external keyboard and mouse.

Run the Windows 10 laptop with the screen closed

Step 1: Right-click on the battery icon on the taskbar and then click Power Options.

Step 2: In the left-pane of Power Options window, click Choose what closing the lid does link. This action will open System Settings window.

Step 3: In the Power and sleep buttons and lid settings section, you will see When I close the lid option. Select “Do nothing” for both “On battery” and “Plugged in” options.

Click Save changes button. That’s it! If you close the laptop lid/screen now, nothing happens. You can connect your laptop to an external monitor, connect external mouse and keyboard, and then close the lid to continue running the laptop.

When you want to shut down or hibernate the laptop, use the external monitor, keyboard, and mouse setup.