Have you ever left your computer unattended for a while, only to return and find that it was still unlocked? Several users have reported problems getting their Windows computers to lock automatically after a certain period of inactivity.
To help out, we have listed some useful tips that should get the lock screen timeout to work on your Windows 10 or 11 PC.
1. Check Screen Timeout Settings
Before we get to any advanced troubleshooting tips, it’s a good idea to double-check the screen timeout settings on Windows. Here are the steps for the same.
After setting your preferred timeout, observe if Windows locks your PC after the specified period.
2. Configure Screen Saver Settings
Incorrectly configured screen saver settings on Windows can also be the cause of this issue. Here’s how you can configure Windows to display the lock screen after you resume from a screensaver.
Once you complete the above steps, Windows should lock your system once the screen saver activates.
3. Check Screen Saver Settings in the Local Group Policy
If the issue remains even after you configure the screen saver settings, you will need to check the policies related to the screen saver and make sure they are configured correctly.
As you may be aware, the Local Group Policy Editor is only available on Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. However, if you are using the Home edition, you can use a workaround toaccess the Local Group Policy Editor on Windows Home.
To modify group policies related to screen saver, use these steps:
Restart your PC after applying the above changes and check if the issue is still there.
4. Other Generic Fixes to Try
If the above solutions do not work, you can try some generic Windows fixes to get the lock screen timeout working on Windows.
Get the Lock Screen Timeout Working Again on Windows
When the lock screen timeout fails to work as expected, it can potentially put your Windows computer at risk. Hopefully, one or more of the above tips have helped you solve the problem and you are at peace.
