There’s nothing quite like the instant panic when a toddler’s video cuts out and the immediate meltdown that follows. If you’ve got a 3-year-old watching shows on VLC and the screen keeps going dark, you know the struggle of constantly hovering over the mouse or tapping the touchpad just to keep the peace.
If you’re tired of being a "human remote" just to keep your sanity, this quick fix will keep the videos playing and your little one happy. :)
Option 1: Adjusting Power Settings
This is usually the quickest way to stop your screen from turning off.
- In the search bar on your Windows desktop, type Control Panel.
- From the results, click on the Control Panel App.
- Once in the Control Panel, click on Hardware and Sound.
- Under Power Options, click Change when the computer sleeps.
- You'll see settings for "Turn off the display":
- On battery: From the dropdown menu, choose Never. (You can also set it to 3 or 4 hours if you prefer.)
- Plugged in: From the dropdown menu, choose Never. (Again, 3 or 4 hours is an option if that works better for you.)
- Don't forget to click Save changes to apply these new settings.
Option 2: Power & Sleep Settings (If Option 1 Doesn't Work)
If the first option didn't do the trick, try this alternative.
- In the search bar, type Screen off.
- Under the "Best match" results, click Choose when to turn off the screen.
- This will open your Power & Sleep settings. Under the "Screen" section, set both:
- On battery power, turn off after to Never
- When plugged in, turn off after to Never
- That's it! Your monitor should now stay on, letting your son enjoy his videos without interruption.
Note: This guide is for those using Windows 10 only.
