How can I prevent my computer from going into sleep mode?

Whether it's Mac or Windows - both have a personalized power setting to control when your computer goes into sleep mode. Of course, there are a few simple-to-use applications that also offer the same function.

But hold that thought! Your computer might go to sleep even if the settings have changed. This could cause trouble because turning on the system again can be a long process, and you may not know what to do. There are times when sleep mode drains the battery too, so if you don't have any available power source, you want to avoid letting your computer go into sleep mode.

Here's an article that sheds light on how you can prevent your computer from going into sleep mode.

Sleep mode is meant for power-saving. It stops all the actions on your computer. If there are any documents and applications that are open, they are moved into the RAM and your computer goes into a power-saving state. The action is quite similar to putting a film DVD on pause or hold. The computer will be on, but it will use less power.

Although it's great to save power, not everyone favours the sleep mode. Do you want to know why? Let's find out.

We can think of several reasons to prevent sleep mode. Here are a few of them:

• Avoiding interruptions during work or tasks. You do not want the computer to go into sleep mode while you are working or finishing tasks.
• Maintaining continuous downloads or uploads. If you are downloading a large file, it may take time. Consider avoiding sleep mode to ensure the download is complete.
• Preventing loss of unsaved work. Otherwise, all the efforts will go wasted if you go into sleep mode.
• Avoiding delays in system startup and shutdown. You do not want to turn off or turn on the computer time and again. It helps save a lot of time when your system does not go into sleep mode.

A. Adjusting power settings in Windows

Step 1: Go to the Windows icon and click it.

Step 2: Now find the settings icon, and then select this option.

Step 3:Next, you must select power and sleep and set the option of sleep to Never.

B. Modifying power options on Mac

Step 1: Open the system preferences, and find the battery option.

Step 2: Go to the battery and power adapter option.

Step 3: Now switch the option of Turn display off after to Never.

C. Using third-party software or utilities

Third-party applications such as Insomnia and PowerToy Awake are available to avoid putting your computer into sleep mode. Caffeinated is a useful app for Mac to prevent it from going into sleep mode.

These apps work best when you find no change after modifying the settings on Mac and Windows.

Most computers go into sleep mode when there is no sign of activity. But that's not what the user may want at that point. Nonetheless, we have discussed the ways to prevent the scenario. Here's a quick look at the best practices for preventing sleep mode.

Creating a custom power plan

For this, you must open the control panel, and click on hardware and sound. Now select power options, and create a power plan. The on-screen instructions are given, so follow them thoroughly to create a custom power plan.

Setting up automatic power management

Automatic power management is useful especially when you do not want to sit near the PC at all times and keep moving the mouse and keyboard.

Hardware-related solutions

Using a USB mouse or keyboard

Move the mouse or press a button on the keyboard to prevent the PC from going to sleep. A single touch can keep your PC awake.

Adjusting BIOS/UEFI settings

Go to the BIOS menu, select 'power management' then click on 'block sleep.' Now, you have to ensure that the check mark is out of 'block sleep' and then click on 'apply.' Once you reboot, you will get the option to sleep.

The sleep mode may seem fruitful, but not everyone needs it. You do not want a download to fail or unsaved tasks to go missing. Prevent your PC from going into sleep mode using the above-mentioned methods.