What is Screen Wake Lock?

Screen Wake Lock keeps your display on and prevents your device from going to sleep. Useful when following recipes, reading long articles, giving presentations, or monitoring dashboards — no more tapping the screen to keep it awake.

The tool calls the Screen Wake Lock API to stop the operating system from dimming or sleeping the display while the tab is visible. A live timer shows how long the lock has been held, and the request is re-acquired automatically if you switch tabs and come back. The lock releases the moment you close the tab or toggle it off, so battery isn't burned silently.

How to use

1. Click the toggle button to activate the wake lock and keep your screen on.
2. A timer shows how long the wake lock has been active so you can track your session.
3. Click again to deactivate the wake lock and restore normal screen timeout behavior.

When to use

• Reading a long recipe in the kitchen with sticky or floury hands.
• Reviewing a checklist on a tablet during a workout, photo shoot, or maintenance job.
• Watching a dashboard or build pipeline on a second screen without it dimming.

Result

Following a recipe on your tablet in the kitchen — activate wake lock so the screen stays on while your hands are covered in flour. The timer shows it's been active for 45 minutes.

FAQ

Which browsers and operating systems support this?

Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Samsung Internet on Android, Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS support the Screen Wake Lock API. Safari added it in version 16.4 on iOS and macOS. Firefox shipped support in version 126. If the toggle reads Not Supported, your browser doesn't expose the API yet.

Why does the wake lock release when I switch tabs?

The API releases the lock the moment the tab loses visibility — that's a security and battery rule baked into the spec. This page listens for the visibility change and re-requests the lock automatically when you return, so you don't have to toggle it again manually.

Will keeping the screen on drain my battery quickly?

The display is usually the largest power draw on a phone or laptop. Expect 20-40% faster drain than normal with the screen continuously lit. For long sessions, plug in or lower screen brightness — neither breaks the wake lock.

Can I use this to keep my computer from locking?

No. The wake lock only prevents the display from sleeping, not the user-account lock screen kicking in after the OS-level idle timer. To stop the system lock you'd need to change the OS power settings directly.

Does it work when the screen is off, like during a phone call?

No. The API requires the tab and screen to be visible. If you press the power button or accept a call, the lock releases. It's strictly a tool for keeping an already-on screen from dimming, not for waking a sleeping device.

Related Tools