Tools
The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Screen Awake
October 10, 2026
You're following a recipe, reading a long document or keeping an eye on a dashboard, and your screen goes dark. Again. It's a small annoyance, but it can really get in the way.
The good news is that it's easy to fix. This guide covers the simple ways to keep your screen on, and what to do when it doesn't work.
Why does your screen turn off?
Your device is trying to save battery and protect your screen. After a set amount of time with no touch or mouse movement, it dims and then locks. That timer is usually short, so it can kick in when you're only reading.
Method 1: Use your browser (the fastest way)
You don't need to install anything or change a single setting.
- Open our free Keep Screen Awake tool.
- Choose how long you want your screen to stay on.
- Press Start.
That's it. The tool asks your browser to keep the screen from dimming or locking while the page is open. It works on most phones, tablets and computers.
One thing to remember: it only works while the page is open and visible. If you switch to another tab or minimize the window, the browser may let go of it.
Method 2: Change your device settings
If you want your screen to stay on all the time, change the sleep timer on your device. The menu names can differ slightly between versions, but this is the usual path.
Windows 11: Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep. Set "Turn my screen off after" to a longer time, or Never.
Mac: System Settings > Lock Screen. Change the "Turn display off" options to a longer time or Never. On older versions of macOS, look under Battery or Energy Saver.
iPhone: Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock > Never.
Android: Settings > Display > Screen timeout. Pick the longest option your phone offers.
Why does my screen still turn off?
If the browser tool isn't working, it's usually one of these:
- You left the page. Switching tabs, minimizing the window or locking your phone releases it. Keep the tab open and in front.
- Battery saver is on. Low Power Mode on iPhone and Battery Saver on Android and Windows often switch it off. Turn it off or plug in.
- Your browser is out of date. Older versions don't support this feature, and iPhone needs a fairly recent version of iOS. Update and try again.
- Your device is managed. Work and school computers can have sleep rules you can't override. Ask your IT team.
- The page is inside another app. Open wakemode.net directly in your normal browser instead.
- Something else is locking the screen. A closed laptop lid, the power button or a manual lock can't be overridden by a website.
A few things worth knowing
It uses more battery. A screen that stays on drains power faster, so plug in for long sessions.
Switch it back afterwards. If you changed your device settings, change them back when you're done. Leaving a screen on all the time isn't great for your battery, and can cause burn-in on some displays.
Which method should you pick?
- Need it just for now? Use the browser tool.
- Need it all the time? Change your device settings.
Whichever you choose, your screen will stay on for as long as you need it. Ready to try? Open Keep Screen Awake, press Start, and carry on with what you were doing.