How to keep your laptop closed without putting it to sleep

This time, I will explain how to use your laptop with it closed without putting it to sleep. This setting, which allows you to use your laptop while closed, is also known as "clamshell mode."

Clamshell mode is a useful setting for those who are using a laptop but are bothered by the fact that it goes to sleep when the lid is closed, or for those who want to close it and use a separate display.

We also explain how to start up your laptop while it is closed, so we hope you find this helpful.

How to keep your laptop from going to sleep even if you close it in Windows 10

When you close your laptop in Windows 10, it usually goes to sleep.
In this state, even if you connect an external display, it will remain in sleep mode, so the screen will be completely black and you will not be able to work.
In other words, first of all, you need to set it so that it does not go to sleep even if you close the cover.

The setting method is as follows.

[How to set your laptop to not go to sleep even if you close it in Windows 10]

1. Select "Start (Windows mark)"
2. Select "Settings (gear mark)".
3. Select "System".
4. Select "Power & Sleep".
5. Select "Additional power settings" in "Related settings".
6. Select "What happens when the cover is closed".
7. Select "Do nothing" from the pull-down menus for both "Battery powered" and "Connected to power".
8. Select Save Changes.

How to keep your laptop from going to sleep even if you close it in Windows 11

To prevent your laptop from going to sleep even when you close it in Windows 11, you need to change the settings by following the steps below.

[How to set your laptop to not go to sleep even if you close it in Windows 11]

1. Select "Search (magnifying glass mark)" on the taskbar.
2. Type "control panel" in the search box at the top.
3. Select "Control Panel" from the "Best Matching Search Results" list.
4. Select "Hardware and Sound".
5. Select "Power Options".
6. Select "Select what happens when the cover is closed."
7. Under "Power and sleep button and cover settings", select "Do nothing" from the pull-down menu for "What happens when the cover is closed" for both "Battery powered" and "Connected to power".
8. Select Save Changes.

How to start up your laptop with a button other than the power button while it is closed

Were you able to set your laptop to not go to sleep even when you close it?

Next, I will explain how to start up your laptop with a button other than the power button while it is closed.

I think some people don't turn off their laptops when they use them, but this article is for those who do.

Some of these people may find it troublesome to open the cover when turning on the power, so please try this method.

However, there is a possibility that the BIOS settings are not compatible or the keyboard is not compatible.

Also, unlike waking up from sleep, it may not be as easy to turn on the power from an off state.

Still, I really want to start up my laptop with it closed! If so, please try it.

• How to turn on a closed laptop with a USB-connected keyboard
• How to turn on a laptop with a power outlet switch
• How to turn on a laptop over the network with WOL (Wake on LAN)

How to turn on a closed laptop with a USB-connected keyboard

Another way to start up your laptop with something other than the power button when it's closed is to use the keyboard.
You can turn on the power by operating the keyboard.

The keyboard that can be used for this method is a "PS/2 keyboard".

A PS/2 keyboard is a keyboard that is connected to a computer's PS/2 port.

However, these days keyboards are often connected via USB or Bluetooth, so you may not see them that often.
However, it seems that there are converters between USB and PS/2, so this does not mean that you cannot use this method.

Also, you need to boot into the BIOS to perform this method.

BIOS is the first program that starts when your computer is turned on.
This program controls peripheral devices such as the hard disk and keyboard before the OS such as Windows starts.

After starting the computer, you can enter the BIOS setting screen by pressing (or repeatedly pressing) the BIOS startup key when the manufacturer logo is displayed.

[How to change the BIOS settings and turn on the laptop using the PS/2 keyboard]

1. Start the laptop and press the BIOS startup key at the manufacturer logo screen to start the BIOS. (The activation key varies depending on the manufacturer)
2. Set "Power on Keyboard" to "Enable".
3. Select "Anykey".
4. Save your settings.

How to turn on a laptop with a power outlet switch

You can change the BIOS settings so that your laptop powers on when powered from a wall outlet.
Simply put, you connect your laptop to a power strip with a switch, and when you turn on the switch on the power strip, the laptop turns on.

The BIOS required for configuration can be started by pressing the BIOS start key (depending on the manufacturer) on the manufacturer logo screen that appears when starting the computer.

Please note that the following menu may not be available in the BIOS.

[How to set the BIOS so that the power switch on the power outlet turns on the laptop]

1. Start the laptop and press the BIOS key at the manufacturer logo screen to start the BIOS. (BIOS boot keys vary depending on manufacturer)
2. Select "AC behavior" under the "PowerManagement" menu.
3. Check "Wake On AC".
4. Save your settings.

If you configure this setting, your laptop will turn on when the power is turned on.
This means that you can plug your laptop into a power strip with a switch on it, turn it on, and it will turn on.
This is convenient because you can turn on your laptop without having to open it.

How to turn on a laptop over the network with WOL (Wake on LAN)

Another option is to set up "WOL (Wake on LAN)" in the BIOS to turn on the laptop via the network.
"Wake on LAN" allows you to wake up your computer by sending a packet called a Magic Packet from another device on the network, such as a smartphone.     

However, in order to be able to turn on the power via the network using this method, you will need a smartphone application that supports WOL and a wired LAN environment.

Here, we will introduce a method using an Android application called "Wake on LAN".

It's a little confusing as there are several things to prepare and settings, but if you're interested, give it a try.

[How to turn on a laptop via the network using WOL (Wake on LAN)]

1. Start the laptop and press the BIOS startup key at the manufacturer logo screen to start the BIOS. (BIOS boot keys vary depending on manufacturer)
2. Select “Network” from “Config”.
3. Set "Wake on LAN" to "AC Only". (This means that WOL is turned on when the power is connected)
4. Get "Wake on LAN" on Android.
5. Start the "Wake on LAN" application.
6. Tap the plus button in the "Wake on LAN" application.
7. Once your device is detected, tap it.
8. Configure settings such as name.

Once the settings are complete and you want to wake up your laptop, tap the device in the Android "Wake on LAN" app. Your laptop should then turn on.

However, this method may not work when connecting wirelessly, so please try connecting to a wired LAN.

Is it better not to close the laptop when using it?

Is it okay to use my laptop with it closed? Or is it better to use it without closing it? I think some people have this question.

There is basically no problem in using it closed, but you need to be careful of the following points.

Is it okay to heat up when using a laptop with it closed?

Heat is a problem when using a laptop closed.

What you should be careful about is if the keyboard gets hot when you use your laptop with it closed. Depending on the model, heat may be emitted from the keyboard surface.
When using these models normally, the cover is open, so even if heat is generated from the keyboard, it can be dissipated, so it does not often reach high temperatures.

However, when using the keyboard with the cover closed, the cover obstructs the exhaust heat from the keyboard, making it easier for heat to build up.

If the heat builds up and the temperature reaches high temperatures, your laptop may slow down.
This is because the computer has a function that protects the system by slowing down its operation when it gets hot.

In addition, heat may cause the surface of the display to deteriorate more easily, or the battery to deteriorate more easily.

Not all laptops are like this, but depending on the model of computer you are using, you may need to be careful when using it with the computer closed.
for example,

• Prepare a stand for your laptop and place it there to prevent heat from building up.
• Try to reduce heat by using cooling pads, cooling stands, etc.
• Get a desk fan to cool down the heat

By adopting these methods, you can avoid problems such as your laptop becoming too hot and running slowly.

Even if your keyboard isn't the type that gets hot, you can use the tips above to make it more comfortable to use.

Also, as is the case when using a laptop open, blocking the heat exhaust vents can cause high temperatures. First of all, be careful not to block the heat exhaust vent.

Summary of how to use your laptop with it closed without putting it to sleep

This time, I explained how to use your laptop with it closed without putting it to sleep. This is a convenient method if you want to project your laptop onto an external display and it gets in the way if it's open.

If you use these methods to work with your laptop closed, depending on the model you are using, some heat may be dissipated from the keyboard surface. Therefore, you need to be careful about slowing down due to heat and deteriorating the display and battery.

In such cases, it may be a good idea to turn off the display of your laptop and open the cover a little.

Also, if you want to turn on the laptop while it is closed, it may take some effort to set up the BIOS or use a PS/2 keyboard.
If you are not familiar with BIOS settings, we do not recommend it.
If you are unsure, open your laptop and turn it on, or put it into sleep mode when you are not working on it, and then wake it up using the keyboard or mouse when you are ready to work. It may be safer to use this method.