Windows 11 Screen Timeout Not Working: 10 Ways to Fix It

When using Windows 11, you may notice that your screen timeout settings aren’t working as expected. This can lead to frustration, especially when your screen doesn’t turn off after the specified time or stays on longer than you’d prefer. Fortunately, there are various methods to address this problem.

Whether you’re dealing with issues related to power settings, driver problems, or software conflicts, this guide will walk you through the most effective solutions. Read on to fix screen timeout issues in Windows 11 and regain full control over your display settings.

Why my screen timeout is not working?

1. Check Your Power Settings

The first thing you should do when your screen timeout isn’t working is to check your power settings. Windows 11 has a default power plan, and it might not be set up according to your preferences. You can customize these settings to ensure your display goes to sleep at the right time.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to System > Power & Battery.
3. Under Power, select Screen and Sleep.
4. In the Screen section, adjust the time for On battery power and When plugged in.
5. Also, review the Sleep settings for when your computer should enter sleep mode.
6. Once you’ve adjusted the times, click Save changes if necessary.

By fine-tuning these settings, you can ensure your screen will turn off after the desired time.

2. Turn Off Screen Saver Settings

Sometimes, Windows 11’s screen saver settings can interfere with the screen timeout feature. The screen saver could be set to a particular time, and it may prevent the display from turning off completely.

Steps:

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Go to Personalization > Lock Screen.
3. Scroll down and click Screen saver settings.
4. In the Screen Saver Settings window, make sure that the Screen saver option is set to None.
5. Click Apply and then OK.

Disabling the screen saver ensures that your screen timeout settings work properly.

3. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can sometimes cause issues with screen timeout settings. If you haven’t updated your graphics drivers recently, it’s a good idea to do so.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Display adapters section.
3. Right-click your graphics adapter (e.g., Intel, NVIDIA, AMD) and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
5. If an update is available, install it and restart your PC.

After updating your drivers, check if the screen timeout issue is resolved.

4. Run the Power Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has a built-in troubleshooter for power settings that can automatically detect and fix issues related to screen timeouts.

Steps:

1. Open the Settings app with Windows + I.
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Scroll down and click Run next to the Power troubleshooter.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

This tool can help identify any underlying issues with your power settings and apply the necessary fixes.

5. Disable the “Always On” Setting in BIOS

Sometimes, the BIOS/UEFI settings may override the operating system’s power settings, causing the screen to stay on indefinitely. If this is the case, you’ll need to change the settings in your BIOS.

Steps:

1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS by pressing the designated key (usually Del or F2) during startup.
2. Look for power-related settings, such as Always On or Wake on LAN.
3. Disable any options that prevent the display from turning off or entering sleep mode.
4. Save and exit the BIOS settings.

This change will ensure that your BIOS settings no longer interfere with your screen timeout preferences.

6. Check for Software Interference

Certain software, especially third-party applications, may prevent your screen from turning off. Programs like media players or utilities that keep your PC active could cause this issue.

Steps:

1. Check if any software running in the background might be preventing the timeout. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), and review the Processes tab.
2. Look for programs such as video streaming services, games, or other utilities that might keep your system active.
3. Temporarily close these applications and check if the screen timeout works properly.

If you find any software causing the problem, you may need to adjust its settings or uninstall it.

7. Modify the Power Plan Using Command Prompt

If the graphical interface doesn’t work, you can try modifying the power plan using Command Prompt. This allows you to apply more precise changes to your screen timeout settings.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + S and type Command Prompt.
2. Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
3. Type the following command and press Enter: powercfg -change monitor-timeout-ac 10 This will set the screen timeout to 10 minutes when plugged in. You can replace 10 with your preferred time in minutes.
4. If you want to adjust the time for battery power, use this command: powercfg -change monitor-timeout-dc 10 Again, replace 10 with the time you want.

8. Re-enable Fast Startup

Fast startup is a feature that helps your PC boot up more quickly, but it can sometimes cause issues with power settings. Disabling and then re-enabling it might fix the problem.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
2. Go to System and Security > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
3. Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
4. Under Shutdown settings, uncheck Turn on fast startup.
5. Save changes and restart your PC.
6. After restarting, go back and re-enable Turn on fast startup.

9. Reset Power Settings to Default

Sometimes, resetting your power settings to their default state can resolve issues with screen timeouts. This will ensure that no custom settings are interfering.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click Start > Command Prompt (Admin)).
2. Type the following command and press Enter: powercfg -restoredefaultschemes
3. This will reset all power settings to default and may resolve any timeout issues.

10. Perform a System Restore

If none of the above solutions work, performing a system restore might be the last resort. This will return your system to a previous state when the screen timeout feature was functioning properly.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + S and type Create a restore point.
2. In the System Properties window, click System Restore.
3. Choose a restore point from a time when your screen timeout was working.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system.

Conclusion

There are several ways to fix screen timeout issues in Windows 11, from adjusting power settings to troubleshooting software conflicts. By following the solutions outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the problem and regain control over when your display turns off. Whether you’re dealing with outdated drivers, BIOS settings, or software interference, there’s a fix for every situation. Try each solution step by step, and your Windows 11 system should start following your screen timeout preferences without any further issues.