How To Adjust Power And Sleep Settings In Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

Home » How-To

4 min. read

Published on October 25, 2025

Fix Windows errors with Fortect:
Fortect can repair common computer errors by scanning your entire system for damaged or missing OS files and replacing them with the original, working versions. Optimize your PC in 3 simple steps:

Download and Install Fortect on your PC
Use the PC Scan feature to look up any Windows issues (including drivers)
Right-click on Repair, and fix it within a few minutes.

Besides that, it helps you clean up junk files, fix stability problems, and get rid of annoying programs and malware traces.

Managing your computer’s power settings is crucial for balancing performance and energy conservation. Windows 10 offers a range of options to customize how your device behaves when idle, allowing you to optimize battery life on laptops or reduce energy consumption on desktops. Learning how to adjust these settings can significantly impact your overall computing experience.

This guide provides a clear, step-by-step approach to modifying power and sleep settings in Windows 10. Whether you want to prevent your screen from dimming too quickly, change when your computer goes to sleep, or customize advanced power plans, this article will walk you through the process with easy-to-follow instructions.

How Do I Change Power and Sleep Settings in Windows 10?

Accessing Power & Sleep Settings

Click the Start button.
Select the Settings icon (the gear icon).
Click on System.
Choose Power & Sleep from the left-hand menu.

Adjusting Screen and Sleep Timers

In the “Screen” section, use the drop-down menus to select how long your device should wait before turning off the screen when running on battery power and when plugged in. You can set different times for each scenario.
In the “Sleep” section, use the drop-down menus to select how long your device should wait before going to sleep when running on battery power and when plugged in. Again, you can customize these settings independently.

Customizing Advanced Power Settings

In the right pane, click on Additional power settings. This will open the Power Options control panel.
Click on Change plan settings next to your currently selected power plan.
Click on Change advanced power settings.
A new window will appear with a comprehensive list of customizable power settings.
Expand each category by clicking the “+” sign to reveal the available options.
Modify the settings as desired. For example, you can adjust the behavior of your hard disk, wireless adapter, USB selective suspend, and more.
Click Apply and then OK to save your changes.

Managing Battery Saver Mode

Return to the Power & Sleep settings page (Start > Settings > System > Power & Sleep).
Scroll down to the “Battery saver” section.
Toggle the “Turn battery saver on automatically if my battery falls below” switch to On.
Use the slider to select the battery percentage at which Battery Saver mode should activate.

Tips for Optimizing Power Settings

Consider your usage patterns: If you frequently step away from your computer for short periods, setting a shorter screen timeout can save energy.
Experiment with different power plans: Windows 10 offers different power plans (Balanced, Power saver, High performance). Experiment to find the best balance for your needs.
Monitor battery usage: Use the Battery usage section in Settings to identify apps that are consuming excessive power.
Keep your system updated: Windows updates often include improvements to power management.
Adjust display brightness: Lowering your screen brightness can significantly extend battery life.

Power Plan Comparison

Here’s a quick comparison of the default power plans in Windows 10:

Feature	Balanced	Power Saver	High Performance
Goal	Balances performance and energy consumption	Extends battery life by reducing performance	Prioritizes performance over energy saving
CPU Performance	Adapts dynamically	Limits CPU speed	Runs CPU at maximum speed
Screen Brightness	Adjustable	Often dimmed automatically	Adjustable
Ideal Use Case	General use	When battery life is critical	Resource-intensive tasks (gaming, video editing)

Understanding Your Windows 10 Power Management

Windows 10 provides extensive control over how your computer uses power, allowing you to tailor the experience to your specific needs and preferences. By carefully adjusting the screen and sleep timers, customizing advanced power settings, and managing Battery Saver mode, you can optimize your device for both performance and energy efficiency.

FAQ

How do I prevent my screen from turning off in Windows 10? You can adjust the screen timeout settings in Power & Sleep settings. Set the “Turn off screen after” option to “Never” for both battery and plugged-in modes.

How do I put my computer to sleep using a keyboard shortcut? Press the Windows key + X, then press U twice. This sequence will bring up the shutdown menu and then select sleep.

Why is my computer not going to sleep? Certain applications or devices can prevent your computer from sleeping. Check your power settings, update your drivers, and close any unnecessary programs.

How do I create a custom power plan in Windows 10? In the Power Options control panel, click “Create a power plan” in the left pane. Follow the on-screen instructions to customize your plan.

Can I schedule when my computer goes to sleep? Windows 10 doesn’t have a built-in feature to schedule sleep, but you can use the Task Scheduler to create a task that runs the shutdown /h command at a specific time.