Imagine using a USB device—maybe an external hard drive, keyboard, or printer—when suddenly it stops working as soon as you close your laptop lid.
To stop your laptop from turning off the USB when the lid is closed, go to Power Options, set the Lid close action to Do nothing, and disable USB Selective Suspend in advanced settings to keep the USB powered.
In this guide, I’ll show you simple steps to stop your laptop from turning off USB when the lid is closed.
Understanding Power States and USB Behavior
Laptops are designed to conserve energy by entering low-power states when not in use. The most common states are:
- Sleep Mode: The system state is saved in RAM, allowing for quick resumption of activity. In this mode, most hardware components, including USB ports, are powered down to save energy.
- Hibernate Mode: The system state is saved to the hard drive, and the laptop completely powers off. Upon restarting, the previous session is restored. In this state, all components are turned off.
When the laptop lid is closed, it usually triggers one of these modes, leading to the deactivation of USB ports. The laptop must remain active even when the lid is closed to keep USB ports active.
Configuring Lid Closure Settings in Windows
To prevent the laptop from entering a power-saving mode when the lid is closed, adjust the power settings as follows:
- Access Power Options:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type the control panel and press Enter to open it.
- Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
- Modify Lid Closure Behavior:
- In the left pane, click on Choose what closing the lid does.
- Under the When I close the lid section, select Do Nothing for both the On battery and Plugged in options.
- Click Save Changes to apply the settings.
By selecting “Do nothing,” closing the lid will not change the system’s power state, keeping the USB ports active.
Ensuring USB Ports Remain Powered
Even with the lid closure behavior set to “Do nothing,” some USB ports may still power down due to individual device power settings. To prevent this:
1. Disable USB Selective Suspend:
- In the Control Panel, go to Power Options.
- Click on Change plan settings next to your selected power plan.
- Select Change Advanced power settings.
- Expand the USB settings section.
- Expand the USB selective suspend setting.
- Set both the batteries on and plug them into Disabled.
- Click Apply, then OK to confirm.
Disabling USB selective suspend prevents the system from turning off USB ports to save power.
2. Adjust Device Power Management Settings:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
- Right-click on each USB Root Hub device and select Properties.
- Navigate to the Power Management tab.
- Uncheck the box labeled Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Click OK to apply the changes.
This setting ensures the system does not disable USB ports to conserve energy.
Considerations and Potential Risks
While keeping the laptop active with the lid closed maintains USB port functionality, it’s important to consider the following:
- Overheating: Ensure the laptop has adequate ventilation when the lid is closed to prevent overheating. Placing the laptop on a hard, flat surface can help maintain airflow.
- Battery Drain: If the laptop remains active while on battery power, the battery may deplete faster. Monitor battery levels and consider keeping the laptop plugged in during extended periods of use with the lid closed.
- Accidental Damage: Be cautious when transporting the laptop with the lid closed while still active, as movement could cause damage or data loss.
Alternative Solutions
If adjusting power settings does not achieve the desired outcome, consider the following alternatives:
- BIOS Settings: Some laptops offer settings that control USB power behavior during sleep or standby modes. Access the BIOS during startup (usually by pressing a key like F2, F10, or Delete) and look for settings related to USB power.
- Third-Party Applications: Utilities like “Insomnia” or “Caffeine” can prevent the system from entering sleep mode, keeping USB ports active. Use such applications cautiously and ensure they are from reputable sources.
Stop Laptop From Turning Off USB When Lid Is Closed Windows
Go to Control Panel > Power Options. Click Choose what closing the lid does and select Do nothing for both battery and plugged-in modes.
Also, disable USB Selective Suspend in advanced power settings to keep USB ports active even when the lid is closed.
Stop Laptop From Turning Off USB When Lid Is Closed Lenovo
Open Control Panel > Power Options for Lenovo laptops and change Lid close action to Do Nothing. Then, go to Device Manager, find the USB Root Hub, and uncheck it. Allow the computer to turn off this device under the Power Management tab to keep USB ports active.
Turn On Laptop With Lid Closed Windows 11
Windows 11 prevents laptops from turning on with the lid closed by default. However, you can use an external keyboard or mouse by enabling Wake on USB in BIOS.
Go to Device Manager, find your keyboard or mouse, and enable Allow this device to wake the computer.
Stop Laptop From Turning Off USB When Lid Is Closed Dell
Go to Control Panel > Power Options for Dell laptops and select Do Nothing under Lid close action. Then, open Device Manager, expand USB Controllers, right-click USB Root Hub, and disable Allow the computer to turn off this device in the Power Management tab.
Turn Off USB when Computer Is Off Windows 11
To disable USB power when your PC is off, open Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers, right-click USB Root Hub, and disable Allow this device to wake the computer. Also, check your BIOS settings for options like USB Power in Standby Mode and disable it.
How To Turn On Laptop With Lid Closed
Connect an external monitor, keyboard, or mouse to turn on your laptop while the lid is closed. Enable Wake on USB in BIOS settings.
Then, go to Device Manager, find your keyboard/mouse, and check Allow this device to wake the computer under the Power Management tab.
Turn On Laptop With Lid Closed Windows 10
In Windows 10, connect an external monitor and set Project mode to Second screen only. Then, enable Wake on USB in BIOS. Go to Device Manager, right-click your keyboard/mouse, and enable Allow this device to wake the computer to turn on your laptop with the lid closed.
How to Keep USB Ports Active When the Lid is Closed
Go to Control Panel > Power Options, click Choose what closing the lid does, and set it to Do nothing. Then, disable USB Selective Suspend in advanced power settings. Also, in Device Manager, uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device for USB Root Hub.
Advanced Power Settings for USB Ports
Open Control Panel > Power Options, click Change Plan Settings, then Change Advanced Power settings. Expand USB settings, find USB Selective Suspend, and set it to Disabled.
This prevents Windows from turning off USB ports to save power, keeping your connected devices active even during sleep mode.
Managing Device Properties in Device Manager
Press Windows + X, select Device Manager and expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Right-click USB Root Hub, go to Power Management, and uncheck.
Allow the computer to turn off this device. Repeat for all USB hubs. This ensures your USB ports stay active when the laptop is idle.
What About MacBooks?
MacBooks automatically turn off USB power when sleeping. To keep USB active, go to System Settings > Battery > Power Adapter, then enable Prevent automatic sleep when the display is off. You can also use Amphetamine or InsomniaX apps to stop macOS from cutting power to USB devices.
FAQs
1. How do I stop my external monitor from turning off when I close my laptop?
Go to Control Panel > Power Options, click Choose what closing the lid does, and set it to Do nothing.
2. How do I stop Windows from turning off USB?
Open Power Options, disable USB Selective Suspend, go to Device Manager, find USB Root Hub, and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device.
3. How do I stop my laptop from turning off when I close the lid?
Go to Control Panel > Power Options, select Choose what closing the lid does, then set Do nothing for battery and plugged-in mode.
4. How do I keep my USB port active when my laptop sleeps?
Disable USB Selective Suspend in Power Options, go to Device Manager, right-click USB Root Hub, and uncheck. Allow the computer to turn off this device.
5. Can I close my laptop and still use an external monitor?
Yes! Change Lid close action to Do nothing in Power Options, then set Project mode to Second screen only in display settings.
Conclusion
Keeping USB ports active when closing your laptop lid ensures uninterrupted device usage. You can prevent disconnections by adjusting Power Options, disabling USB Selective Suspend, and tweaking Device Manager settings. Remember to monitor battery life and overheating risks for safe and efficient laptop use.
