How to Stop Your Screen From Turning Off: Device Settings and a No-Settings Option

Screen keeps turning off? Here are the settings on every device, plus a way to keep it on when settings are locked.

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When a sleeping screen gets in the way

Presenting slides, following a recipe, waiting for a big download or a remote session, showing a dashboard or clock — a screen that goes dark is annoying. You have two options: change the device settings, or when you can't, keep it awake from the browser for a while.

Windows and Mac settings

Windows 11

  • Screen off: Settings → System → Power & battery → Screen and sleep, set "Turn off my screen after" to Never
  • Screen saver: Settings → Personalization → Lock screen → Screen saver, choose (None)

Mac (macOS)

  • System Settings → Lock Screen: set "Turn display off when inactive" to Never
  • Screen saver: System Settings → Screen Saver

Menu names can vary slightly between versions.

iPhone and Android settings

  • iPhone: Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock → Never (Low Power Mode may force 30 seconds)
  • Android: Settings → Display → Screen timeout

Remember to switch it back afterwards for battery life and security.

Can't change settings? Use the browser

On a work PC with locked power settings, or when you only need it for a while, open Keep Screen Awake. It uses the browser's Screen Wake Lock to prevent screen-off and the screen saver while the page is visible. Close the tab and everything goes back to normal — nothing to undo.

  • Black screen: minimal power and burn-in on OLED.
  • Clock: a big clock for a desk or meeting room.
  • Keep on only: keeps your current screen awake.

Good to know

  • Closing a laptop lid or pressing the power button still puts it to sleep.
  • Screen lock on work PCs may be a security policy. Lock it yourself when you step away (Win + L on Windows, Control + Command + Q on Mac).
  • Cooking or working out? Pair it with the online timer.

Tools used in this guide

Keep Screen AwakeStop your screen from turning off or sleeping. Black screen and clock modes included.Stopwatch, Timer & AlarmStopwatch, countdown timer and alarm clock in one place.

FAQ

How is this different from a mouse jiggler?

Mouse jigglers need installing and fake user activity. Wake Lock is a standard browser feature that tells the operating system the screen is in use — nothing to install.

Does it stop my status from showing "Away"?

No. It only keeps the screen on and doesn't create keyboard or mouse input, so chat apps can still show you as away.

Does it work in Safari on iPhone?

Yes, recent iOS Safari supports Wake Lock. Low Power Mode may limit it.

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