If you're experiencing issues where your secondary monitor's display turns off after 15 minutes of inactivity while a full-screen video is paused, you're not alone. This problem can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to enjoy media or multitask efficiently. In this article, we'll break down the issue and provide solutions to prevent your second monitor from going dark.
Understanding the Problem
The issue occurs when you're watching a full-screen video on a secondary monitor and pause it. After 15 minutes of no user interaction, Windows 10 interprets this inactivity as a sign that the display is not in use and subsequently turns it off. This behavior can disrupt your workflow or enjoyment of media.
Original Code Scenario
While there's no specific code to address this problem directly, the underlying issue involves Windows 10 power settings, specifically the settings related to the display turning off after a period of inactivity. Here's a snippet of a typical scenario encountered by users:
Monitor turns off after 15 minutes of inactivity while watching a full-screen video on a second monitor.
Solutions to Prevent the Monitor from Turning Off
Adjust Power Settings
To prevent your secondary monitor from turning off during a paused video, you can adjust the power settings in Windows 10:
-
Open Power & Sleep Settings:
- Right-click on the Start menu and select "Settings."
- Go to "System" and then click on "Power & sleep."
-
Change Screen Timeout Settings:
- Under the "Screen" section, you will find options for when to turn off the screen.
- Change the setting for "On battery power" and "When plugged in" to "Never" or set it to a longer duration.
-
Change Advanced Power Settings:
- Scroll down and click on "Additional power settings."
- Select "Change plan settings" for your current power plan.
- Click on "Change advanced power settings."
- Under "Display," find the option for "Turn off display after" and set it to a more suitable time or "Never."
Use a Media Player with a Keep Awake Feature
Some media players, like VLC or MPC-HC, come with a feature that can keep the display awake. These players allow you to configure settings that prevent the screen from turning off while a video is being played or paused.
-
VLC Media Player:
- Open VLC and go to "Tools" -> "Preferences."
- Click on "Video" and enable the option to "Always on top" or "Hide mouse cursor."
-
MPC-HC:
- Open MPC-HC and go to "View" -> "Options."
- Navigate to "Playback" and look for a setting to keep the screen awake.
Additional Tips and Analysis
-
Use a Script to Simulate Mouse Movement: If you’re comfortable with scripting, you can create a simple script that simulates mouse movement every few minutes to prevent the display from going to sleep.
-
Keep an Eye on Graphics Drivers: Sometimes, outdated graphics drivers can exacerbate issues with multi-monitor setups. Ensure your drivers are up to date by visiting the manufacturer’s website.
-
Monitor Power Settings: Ensure that the monitor itself doesn’t have a built-in energy-saving feature that conflicts with Windows settings.
Conclusion
By adjusting the power settings in Windows 10, utilizing media players that offer keep-awake features, or implementing simple scripts, you can effectively resolve the issue of your secondary monitor turning off during paused videos.
For further reading and resources, consider checking out:
Addressing display settings will not only enhance your viewing experience but also boost productivity, ensuring you get the most out of your Windows 10 environment.
By following these solutions, you can keep your secondary monitor active while watching videos, preventing unwanted interruptions.
