Experiencing your screen turning off while charging on Windows 11 can be frustrating. It interrupts your workflow and can cause unnecessary worry about hardware issues. Fortunately, this problem is usually easy to fix with a few simple adjustments.
In this article, we will guide you through step-by-step solutions to help you keep your screen on while charging. Each step is explained in detail, making it easy to follow even if you are not very familiar with Windows settings.
Before diving into more complex fixes, it’s important to check some basic settings that might be causing the issue. Sometimes, a quick change in power options can solve the problem immediately.
Let’s start by understanding why this happens and how you can fix it quickly.
Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks
- Make sure your Windows 11 system is up to date. Updates often include fixes for common bugs.
- Check that your charger and cable are working correctly. Faulty chargers can cause power management issues.
- Confirm that your laptop battery is not critically low or damaged, as this can affect power settings.
- Restart your computer before trying the fixes below; sometimes, a simple reboot clears temporary glitches.
Step 1: Adjust Power & Sleep Settings
The screen turning off might be due to your power plan settings. Windows allows you to set different times for the screen to turn off when on battery or plugged in.
Follow these steps to adjust the settings:
- Click the Start button and select Settings (gear icon).
- In Settings, click on System and then choose Power & battery.
- Under the Power section, find Screen and sleep.
- Look at the options for On battery power, turn off my screen after and When plugged in, turn off my screen after.
- Set the When plugged in option to Never or a longer time interval according to your preference.
- Close Settings and see if the screen stays on while charging.
Why this matters: If your screen is set to turn off after a very short time when plugged in, it will go black even during charging. Adjusting this prevents the screen from turning off unnecessarily.
Step 2: Check Screen Saver Settings
Sometimes, the screen saver might be set to activate and turn off the display. Disabling or adjusting this can help.
- Right-click on the desktop and select Personalize.
- Scroll down and click on Lock screen.
- Click Screen saver at the bottom.
- In the Screen Saver Settings window, check if a screen saver is selected.
- If yes, either set it to None or increase the wait time.
- Click Apply and then OK.
Why this matters: A screen saver with a short activation time can cause the screen to appear off, especially when the device is idle and charging.
Step 3: Disable Adaptive Brightness or Display Power Saving Features
Windows 11 and some laptops have adaptive brightness or power-saving features that dim or turn off the screen to save energy.
Disabling these can help keep your screen on while charging.
- Open Settings and go to System > Display.
- Scroll down to find Brightness & color.
- Look for an option called Change brightness automatically when lighting changes or Adaptive brightness.
- Turn this setting Off.
- Additionally, check your laptop’s manufacturer software (like Dell Power Manager or HP Command Center) for any power-saving display features and disable them if necessary.
Why this matters: Adaptive brightness can sometimes cause the screen to dim or turn off unexpectedly during charging, depending on ambient light or power settings.
Step 4: Update or Reinstall Display and Power Drivers
Outdated or corrupt drivers could cause power management issues, including the screen turning off while charging.
To update your drivers:
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Display adapters section.
- Right-click your graphics card and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Follow the prompts to install any available updates.
- Next, expand the Batteries section.
- Right-click on Microsoft AC Adapter and Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery, then select Uninstall device one by one.
- Restart your computer. Windows will reinstall these drivers automatically.
Why this matters: Proper drivers ensure that Windows communicates correctly with your hardware to maintain power settings and screen behavior.
Step 5: Modify Advanced Power Settings
If the problem persists, you can tweak advanced power options to prevent the screen from turning off.
- Open Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.
- Click on Hardware and Sound, then select Power Options.
- Next to your selected power plan, click on Change plan settings.
- Click Change advanced power settings.
- In the popup window, expand the Display section.
- Expand Turn off display after and set the value for Plugged in to Never or a high number of minutes.
- Also, expand Multimedia settings > When sharing media and set it to Prevent idling to sleep.
- Click Apply and then OK.
Why this matters: Advanced power settings offer deeper control over your PC’s behavior, ensuring the screen stays on while charging.
Alternative Method: Use Power Troubleshooter
Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can identify and fix power-related issues automatically.
- Open Settings and go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Find Power in the list and click Run.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
Why this matters: The troubleshooter can detect problems that are not obvious and fix them without manual intervention.
FAQs
Why does my screen turn off only when charging?
This can happen due to power plan settings specifically set for “plugged in” mode, adaptive brightness features, or driver issues that affect how Windows manages power when the charger is connected.
Can a faulty charger cause the screen to turn off?
Yes, if the charger or cable is not working properly, it can cause inconsistent power delivery, leading Windows to enter power-saving states and turn off the screen.
Is it safe to set the screen to never turn off when charging?
Generally, yes. Keeping the screen on while charging is safe, but it may consume more power and reduce the lifespan of the display if left on continuously. Adjust based on your usage needs.
Will updating Windows fix this problem?
Sometimes, yes. Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix bugs related to power management, so keeping Windows updated is always a good practice.
What if my screen still turns off after trying all these steps?
There might be a hardware issue or a deeper software problem. Consider contacting your device manufacturer’s support for further assistance.
When Nothing Works
If none of the above solutions fix the issue, you can try the following:
- Perform a System Restore: Revert your system to a point before the problem began.
- Reset Windows 11: As a last resort, reset your PC while keeping your files. This can resolve deep software conflicts.
- Contact Official Support: Visit the Microsoft Support website or your laptop manufacturer’s help center for professional assistance.
Conclusion
Screen turning off when charging on Windows 11 is a common issue that can usually be resolved by adjusting power settings or updating drivers. Starting with simple fixes like changing screen timeout settings and disabling adaptive brightness often solves the problem quickly. If these don’t help, updating drivers and tweaking advanced power options provide more control over your device’s behavior.
Remember to keep your system updated and check your charger’s condition regularly. Using the built-in power troubleshooter can also save time by automatically fixing common issues. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to seek professional support.
By following these step-by-step solutions, you can enjoy uninterrupted use of your Windows 11 device while charging.