How to change lid close action on Windows 11

• Windows 11 lets you choose what happens when you close your laptop’s lid.
• You can configure different actions for battery power and when plugged in.
• Newer versions (24H2, 25H2, and later) include lid controls in Settings > Power & battery.
• The legacy Control Panel remains available and offers the same lid action options.

On Windows 11, closing your laptop’s lid typically puts the device to sleep. While this default behavior works well for most people, it’s not always the best option for every workflow.

For example, if you use your laptop with an external monitor, docking station, or projector, you may want the computer to stay awake when the lid is closed so you can continue working uninterrupted. If you’re trying to maximize battery life while away from a power outlet, switching the lid action to Hibernate can reduce power consumption even further than Sleep. You can also choose to do nothing when the lid is closed if the laptop is connected to AC power and you don’t want your work interrupted.

Windows 11 lets you customize the lid close action separately for when your laptop is running on battery or plugged in. Depending on your operating system version, you can change this behavior using the legacy Control Panel or, in newer releases such as 24H2, 25H2, and higher, through the “Power & battery” settings in the Settings app.

In this guide, I will outline the steps to change the close lid action on Windows 11.

• Change lid close action on Windows 11 (Settings)
• Change lid close action on Windows 11 (Control Panel)
• Pureinfotech’s Take

Change lid close action on Windows 11 (Settings)

To change the closing lid action on your laptop through the Settings app, use the steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on System.

3. Click the Power & battery page.

4. Click the “Lid & power button controls” setting.

5. Select the action (“Do nothing,” “Sleep,” “Hibernate,” or “Shutdown”) using the “Closing the lid will make my PC” setting under the “Plugged in” and “On battery” options. 

   

After you complete the steps, the new action will be applied to your laptop lid.

Change lid close action on Windows 11 (Control Panel)

To change the action when closing the lid on a laptop, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Control Panel and click the top result to open the app.

   Quick tip: You can also use the “Windows key + R” keyboard shortcut, type “Control,” and click the “OK” button to open the Control Panel.

3. Click on Hardware and Sound.

4. Click on Power Options.

5. Click the “Choose what closing the lid does” option from the left pane.

   

6. Under the “Power button and lid settings” section, use the “When I close the lid” setting and choose the action (“Do nothing,” “Sleep,” “Hibernate,” or “Shut down”) for “On Battery” and “Plugged in.”

   

7. Click the Save changes button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will stay running, put the laptop to sleep, hibernate, or shut down the system according to your configuration when closing the laptop’s lid.

Related

How to enable Hibernate on Windows 11

If you don’t see the “Hibernate” option, it’s because you don’t have the feature enabled. You can click the “Change settings that are currently unavailable” option from the “System Settings” page and check the “Hibernate” option.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I always change the lid-close action on a new laptop because the default Sleep setting doesn’t fit every workflow. If I’m using an external monitor or dock, having the computer stay awake when I close the lid is far more practical. On the other hand, when I’m on the road, I usually switch to Hibernate to squeeze as much battery life as possible.

I also like seeing Microsoft bring this setting into the Settings app on newer versions of Windows 11 instead of leaving it buried in the legacy Control Panel. It’s a small improvement, but it’s part of a broader pattern of gradually moving everyday system controls into a more modern interface. Thankfully, the company hasn’t removed the Control Panel option yet, so users on older releases or those who simply prefer the classic experience still have a familiar way to make the change.

This isn’t a flashy feature, but it’s one of those settings that can make a laptop feel better suited to the way you actually use it.

How do you configure the lid close action on your Windows 11 laptop? Let me know in the comments.

Update July 16, 2026: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.