Answers
Frequently asked questions
Everything people actually ask about keeping a screen awake with a browser — battery, background tabs, work laptops, phones, and where the limits are.
Is NoScreenSleep really free?
Yes, completely — no account, no subscription, no download, no ads. The tool runs entirely inside your browser, so there's no per-user cost for us to cover.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The tool is this web page. It uses the Screen Wake Lock API, a standard feature built into modern browsers.
Does it work with the tab in the background or minimized?
No — browsers only allow wake locks on visible tabs. When you hide the tab, the lock pauses and the countdown keeps running against the clock; return to it and the lock re-engages automatically. A small side window keeps it visibly open.
Can it keep my laptop awake with the lid closed?
No. Lid-closed sleep is handled by the operating system at a level no website can reach — the same goes for pressing the power button or choosing Sleep from the OS menu.
Does it stop the whole computer from sleeping, or just the screen?
The wake lock guards the display. On most default setups, keeping the display on also keeps the machine from idling into sleep. If your device has a separate system-sleep timer, change it in the OS — our Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android guides show how.
Will it stop my work laptop from locking?
It prevents the screen timeout that typically precedes locking. If your organization enforces an automatic lock through device management, that policy will still apply — that's a security boundary a browser page can't cross.
Does it work on phones and tablets?
Yes: iPhones and iPads on iOS/iPadOS 16.4+, and Android devices in Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Samsung Internet. The page must stay on screen, and locking the phone always ends it.
Which browsers are supported?
Chrome and Edge since version 84 (2020), Safari since 16.4 (2023), Firefox since 126 (2024) — desktop and mobile. The tool detects support automatically and shows alternatives if your browser is too old.
Will it drain my battery?
A lit screen is a large power draw, so yes — that's inherent to keeping it on. Set an auto-stop timer as a safety net, and plug in for long sessions.
What happens when the timer ends while I'm on another tab?
The deadline is clock-based, so it's accurate whether or not the tab is visible. The lock releases (it already paused when you hid the tab), and when you return you'll see that the session ended.
Is it safe and private?
Yes. No data leaves your device, there are no analytics or cookies, and your chosen duration is stored only in your browser's local storage so it's remembered next time. Wake lock is a standard browser capability — nothing here hacks the OS.
Does it work with multiple monitors or an external display?
Wake lock asks the OS to inhibit display sleep as a whole — all connected displays stay awake, including external monitors and projectors.
Why does my screen still turn off with the tool running?
The usual suspects, in order: the tab was hidden; battery saver or low battery refused the lock; the device ran out of charge; or an OS-level sleep/lock policy overrode it. The tool's status pill tells you when the lock isn't actually held.
How do I stop it?
Tap the button again, close the tab, or simply wait for your timer to end. There's nothing running in the background and nothing to uninstall.