How To Change Screen Timeout On Windows 10

Did you know that adjusting the screen timeout on Windows 10 can greatly improve your productivity and save energy? It's true! By customizing the screen timeout settings, you can extend or shorten the time it takes for your screen to automatically turn off when idle. This simple tweak can make a big difference in how you use your computer.

Changing the screen timeout on Windows 10 is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps. First, navigate to the "Settings" menu by clicking on the Start button and selecting "Settings" from the menu. Then, click on the "System" option and choose "Power & Sleep" from the sidebar. From there, you can easily adjust the screen timeout settings according to your preferences. By setting a longer or shorter screen timeout, you can ensure that your computer screen stays on when you need it and conserves power when you don't.

Customizing Screen Timeout on Windows 10

Windows 10 offers a range of settings that allow you to personalize your computer experience, including the ability to change the screen timeout. Screen timeout refers to the duration of inactivity after which the screen dims or turns off to conserve power. By adjusting the screen timeout settings, you can ensure that your screen stays on for as long as you need it to, or conserves power by turning off when not in use. In this article, we will explore the various methods to change the screen timeout on Windows 10 and provide step-by-step instructions.

Method 1: Using the Settings App

The easiest way to change the screen timeout on Windows 10 is through the Settings app. Follow these steps to customize your screen timeout:

• Open the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
• Click on the "Settings" option, represented by a gear icon. This will open the Windows Settings app.
• In the Settings app, click on the "System" category.
• From the left-hand menu, select "Power & sleep".
• In the "Screen" section, you will find the options to adjust the screen timeout for both when your device is plugged in and running on battery power.
• Click on the drop-down menu next to "Screen" and choose the desired duration for screen timeout.

Once you have selected your desired screen timeout duration, your changes will be saved automatically. You can now close the Settings app, and your screen will follow the new timeout settings.

Method 2: Using Control Panel

If you prefer using the traditional Control Panel interface, you can also change the screen timeout settings from there. Here's how:

• Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
• Type "Control Panel" in the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will open the Control Panel window.
• In the Control Panel, set the View by option to "Large icons" or "Small icons" for easier navigation.
• Click on the "Power Options" icon.
• In the Power Options window, click on the "Change plan settings" link next to the power plan that is currently selected.
• On the next screen, click on the "Change advanced power settings" link.
• In the Power Options dialog box, scroll down and expand the "Display" section.
• Under the "Display" section, you will find options to set the screen timeout for different scenarios, such as when plugged in or running on battery power.
• Click on each option to expand it and select the desired duration for screen timeout.
• Click on the "Apply" button, followed by "OK", to save your changes.

After following these steps, your screen timeout settings will be updated according to your preferences.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

For advanced users who prefer using command-line tools, there are also options to change the screen timeout settings using Command Prompt or PowerShell. Here's how:

Option 1: Using Command Prompt

• Open Command Prompt by typing "cmd" in the search bar and selecting the Command Prompt app.
• In the Command Prompt window, type the following command to change the screen timeout for when the computer is plugged in:

powercfg /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_VIDEO VIDEOIDLE %desired_timeout%

Replace %desired_timeout% with the desired timeout duration in seconds. For example, if you want to set the timeout to 5 minutes, you would use 300 seconds.

Press Enter to execute the command. You should see a success message indicating that the settings have been updated.

To change the screen timeout for when the computer is running on battery power, use the following command:

powercfg /SETDCVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_VIDEO VIDEOIDLE %desired_timeout%

Option 2: Using PowerShell

• Open PowerShell by searching for it in the search bar and selecting the PowerShell app.
• In the PowerShell window, type the following command to change the screen timeout for when the computer is plugged in:

powercfg.exe /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_VIDEO VIDEOIDLE %desired_timeout%

Replace %desired_timeout% with the desired timeout duration in seconds.

Press Enter to execute the command. You will receive a confirmation message if the command is successful.

To change the screen timeout for when the computer is running on battery power, use the following command:

powercfg.exe /SETDCVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_VIDEO VIDEOIDLE %desired_timeout%

Using Command Prompt or PowerShell allows you to change the screen timeout settings more efficiently, especially if you frequently make adjustments or need to automate the process.

Method 4: Using Group Policy Editor

If you are using a Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise edition, you can use the Group Policy Editor to change the screen timeout settings. Here's how:

• Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
• Type "gpedit.msc" in the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will open the Group Policy Editor.
• In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization.
• In the right-hand pane, double-click on the Screen saver timeout setting.
• In the Screen saver timeout window, select the "Enabled" option.
• Set the desired timeout duration in the "Timeout (seconds)" field.
• Click on the "Apply" button, followed by "OK", to save your changes.

After applying these changes, your screen timeout settings will be updated according to the duration you specified in the Group Policy Editor.

Changing the screen timeout on Windows 10 allows you to customize your computer experience and optimize power consumption. Whether you prefer using the Settings app, Control Panel, Command Prompt, PowerShell, or the Group Policy Editor, you now have multiple methods at your disposal to adjust the screen timeout according to your preferences.

Changing the Screen Timeout on Windows 10

Screen timeout refers to the length of time your computer screen stays active before it turns off or goes into sleep mode. Adjusting this setting can help conserve battery power and protect your privacy when you're away from your computer. Here's how you can change the screen timeout on Windows 10:

Method 1: Using the Settings App

• Open the Start menu and click on the gear icon to access the Settings app.
• In the Settings app, click on the "System" category.
• Click on "Power & Sleep" in the left-hand menu.
• Under the "Screen" section, adjust the drop-down menu for "When plugged in, turn off after" and "When on battery power, turn off after" to your desired screen timeout time.
• Close the Settings app. Your screen timeout settings will be saved.

Method 2: Using Control Panel

• Open the Start menu and search for "Control Panel".
• In the Control Panel, click on "Power Options".
• Click on "Change plan settings" next to the power plan you're currently using (e.g., "Balanced", "Power Saver", etc.).

Key Takeaways - How to Change Screen Timeout on Windows 10:

• Screen timeout settings allow you to control how long your computer remains idle before the screen turns off.
• To change the screen timeout on Windows 10, go to the Start menu and open the Settings app.
• In the Settings app, click on "System" and then select "Power & sleep" from the left-hand menu.
• Under the "Screen" section, you can adjust the screen timeout by selecting a desired interval from the drop-down menu.
• You can also choose to turn off the screen timeout completely by selecting "Never" from the drop-down menu.



Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about changing the screen timeout on Windows 10:

1. How do I change the screen timeout on Windows 10?

To change the screen timeout on Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and go to "Settings".

2. Click on "System" and then select "Power & Sleep" from the left-hand menu.

3. Under the "Screen" section, you will see the option to adjust the screen timeout. Use the drop-down menu to select the desired timeout duration.

4. Additionally, you can click on "Advanced power settings" to access more detailed power options, including screen timeout settings.

2. Can I customize the screen timeout for different power plans?

Yes, you can customize the screen timeout for different power plans on Windows 10. Here's how:

1. Follow the steps mentioned in the previous answer to access the power settings.

2. Once you are in the "Power & Sleep" settings, click on the link that says "Additional power settings" to open the Power Options window.

3. In the Power Options window, click on the power plan for which you want to change the screen timeout.

4. Click on "Change plan settings" and then click on "Change advanced power settings".

5. In the Advanced Power Settings window, navigate to the "Display" section and expand it. Here, you will find options to customize the screen timeout for different scenarios like when the laptop is plugged in or on battery.

6. Adjust the screen timeout duration according to your preference and click "Apply" to save the changes.

3. Why does my screen keep timing out even when I am using it?

If your screen keeps timing out even when you are actively using it, there might be a power-saving feature or system setting causing this behavior. Here are a few possible reasons:

1. Power settings: Check your power settings to see if the screen timeout is set too low or if there are any power-saving options enabled.

2. Drivers or updates: Make sure your graphics drivers and Windows updates are up to date. Outdated drivers or software can sometimes cause unexpected behaviors.

3. System settings: Some applications or system settings can override the screen timeout settings. Check the settings of any applications that you suspect might be causing the issue.

4. Faulty hardware: In rare cases, a faulty hardware component, such as the display driver or the graphics card, can cause the screen to time out unexpectedly. Consider contacting technical support if you suspect this might be the issue.

4. Is it possible to disable the screen timeout entirely?

Yes, it is possible to disable the screen timeout entirely on Windows 10. Follow these steps:

1. Access the power settings using the method mentioned in the first answer.

2. In the "Power & Sleep" settings, click on "Advanced power settings".

3. In the Advanced Power Settings window, navigate to the "Display" section and expand it.

4. Look for the option called "Turn off display after" and set it to "Never" for all power plans.

5. Click "Apply" to save the changes, and the screen timeout will be disabled.

5. Can I change the screen timeout settings through the Registry Editor?

Yes, it is possible to change the screen





And that's how you can change the screen timeout on Windows 10! By adjusting the power settings, you can customize how long your screen stays on before it automatically turns off. This is particularly useful if you want to save battery or prevent your screen from being on when you're not using your computer.

To change the screen timeout, simply open the Settings menu, select System, then Power & sleep. From there, you can choose the time duration you prefer under the Screen section. It's a straightforward process that can be done in just a few clicks.