How to Get Dell Monitors Out of Power-Save Mode

By C.D. Crowder

Updated September 28, 2017

Dell monitors automatically go into power-save mode after a preset amount of time when the computer is inactive. The Dell monitor will go completely black, instead of showing a screensaver. This doesn’t mean that your Dell computer has shut down. Instead, this allows your monitor to essentially turn off until it’s needed again. You can change how much time elapses before the Dell monitor goes into power-save mode by changing your display settings.

Press any key on your keyboard or move your mouse. Either action will turn off the monitor's power-save mode. Alternately, you can press the power button on your Dell computer tower or laptop.

Press any key a second time if the monitor goes from power-save to stand-by mode. Stand-by mode allows the screensaver to appear.

Enter your username and password into the login prompt if your computer requires a login. Press “Enter” to begin using your Dell computer.

Change the display settings on your Dell monitor to prevent your monitor from going into power-save mode prematurely. Right-click anywhere on your desktop and choose “Properties.” Click the “Screensaver” tab and press “Power.” Next to “Turn off Monitor,” choose a time segment from the drop-down list and press “Apply.”

Tips

Pressing the power button on your Dell monitor will not bring the monitor out of power-save mode. This will completely turn off the monitor, but will not affect anything on the computer itself.

Warnings

Don't hold the power button when using it to turn off power-save mode.

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