SOLVED Screen timeout broken with January 2023 update

[laudermi]

Since the January Windows 10 update, my desktop screen does not timeout like it has properly done for years. I've changed and toggled the proper setting in Settings/Power, but it still does not timeout ever. I've never used sleep previously, but if I set it my desktop does sleep at the set time. But the screen setting no longer seems to have any effect.

 

[wegmand]

Any chance you have Power Toys installed? It includes an "Awake" utility that can override your system setting for the screen timeout if set improperly.

PowerToys Awake - Keep Windows Computer Awake Tool

Learn how to use PowerToys Awake to keep your Windows computer awake without changing power settings. Configure timed, indefinite, or scheduled awake modes with CLI support.

learn.microsoft.com

 

[laudermi]

Thanks for your suggestion. I did not have Power Toys installed. I installed it after your suggestion and set or toggled some of the allowable parameters in Awake. Made no difference. Problem persists.

 

[wegmand]

Were you able to fix the problem? If not, maybe you have a corrupted file. To check & repair, you can run the System File Checker from a command prompt: 'sfc /scannow'
More details about this tool here: https://www.ubackup.com/windows-10/sfc-scannow-windows-10-8523.html

 

[laudermi]

I tried your suggestion and it fixed my problem -- said it found corrupt files and fixed them. Kind of magical! Thanks!!!

 

[wegmand]

Yeah, that's a pretty handy tool that can often fix a misbehaving computer.