
Most laptops automatically switch to sleep mode when the lid is closed, which normally disables alarms. However, there are ways to ensure that alarms still work while the laptop is closed and asleep. One way is to customise the power settings to prevent the laptop from going into sleep mode when the lid is closed. Another way is to use a tool like PowerToys Awake, which allows the laptop to remain asleep with the lid closed without disabling the alarm. Additionally, for Windows users, the built-in Alarm & Clock app will not wake up the computer from sleep mode unless the task scheduler is configured to wake up the laptop at a certain time to start the Alarm app for notification.
Do Cortana alarms work while a laptop is closed/asleep?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does the Cortana alarm work when the laptop is asleep? | No, the built-in Alarm & Clock app will not wake up the computer when it's in sleep mode unless you configure the task scheduler to wake up your laptop at a certain time. |
| Is there a workaround? | Yes, you can customize the power settings to stop the laptop from going into sleep mode. You can also use PowerToys Awake. |
| How do you set an alarm with Cortana? | Press and hold the search button on your device with Windows Phone 8.1 Preview for Developers. When Cortana appears, say, "Set an alarm for 5:30 A.M." or "Wake me up at 8 A.M." |
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What You'll Learn
- Cortana can set alarms for you, but not for specific dates
- The in-built Alarm & Clock app won't wake up your laptop from sleep mode
- You can configure the task scheduler to wake your laptop at a certain time
- Customising power settings can allow alarms to work with the laptop closed
- PowerToys Awake can also prevent the laptop from sleeping and disabling alarms

Cortana can set alarms for you, but not for specific dates
Cortana is a convenient way to set alarms, but it is important to be aware of its limitations. While it can help you manage your time and wake up on time, it may not have the same functionality as a traditional alarm clock or other smart alarm clocks on the market. These smart alarm clocks can be affordable and provide similar functionality to Cortana, but without the restrictions of being region-dependent or requiring specific configurations to work while your laptop is asleep.
When using Cortana to set an alarm, it is essential to ensure your device is properly set up and updated. Some users have reported issues with setting alarms on certain Windows Phone devices, particularly after updating to the Windows Phone 8.1 Preview for Developers. In these cases, Cortana may return an error message and suggest a soft or hard reset, which may or may not resolve the issue.
To ensure that your alarms work as expected, it is recommended to test the alarm functionality and adjust any necessary settings beforehand. This will help you avoid missing important alarms and give you peace of mind. By taking these precautions and being aware of Cortana's limitations, you can effectively utilize its alarm feature without worrying about unexpected delays or issues.
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The in-built Alarm & Clock app won't wake up your laptop from sleep mode
The in-built Alarm & Clock app on Windows 10 will not wake up your laptop from sleep mode. This means that if your laptop is asleep, the alarm will not go off unless you take steps to configure your laptop to wake up for the alarm.
To do this, you need to adjust your settings. You can configure the task scheduler to wake up your laptop at a certain time and start the Alarm app for notification. By tweaking the settings, you can ensure that your laptop wakes up from sleep mode to sound the alarm.
It is important to note that the default setting does not allow the alarm to wake up the laptop, and you will need to manually change this configuration to use the alarm effectively when your laptop is asleep. This feature is designed to allow your laptop to remain in sleep mode until the specified time, conserving power and ensuring the alarm only sounds when needed.
By taking the time to adjust the settings, you can enable your laptop to wake up and play the alarm, even when it is in sleep mode. This can be particularly useful if you rely on your laptop for alarms, such as for waking up in the morning or timing important tasks. With the right configuration, you can ensure that your laptop's alarms are reliable and functional, even when the device is asleep.
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You can configure the task scheduler to wake your laptop at a certain time
To get started, go to the Start menu search bar and type 'task scheduler'. Click on 'Task Scheduler' and then, in the menu, click on 'Action' and then 'Create Task'. Set a name for your task—for example, 'wake up'. From here, select the 'Run whether the user is logged on or not' radio box and the 'Run with highest privileges' check box. From the 'Configure for' drop-down menu, select Windows 10.
Now, switch to the 'Triggers' tab and click on 'New'. This is where you will specify the conditions for the task to launch. Select the 'On a schedule' option in the 'Begin the task' drop-down menu, and then set the frequency of this schedule.
Next, head to the 'Conditions' tab and select the 'Wake the computer to run this task' checkbox. Then, go to the 'Actions' tab and click on 'New', specifying at least one task that should run after the PC wakes up. This could be an antivirus scan, an online download, or anything else you choose.
There are also third-party power management programs that can perform this function, many of which come bundled with laptops. Additionally, in Windows 10/11, there is a system service called synchapi.h, which has an API of setwaitable timer, allowing you to schedule the PC to turn on after some time in the future.
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Customising power settings can allow alarms to work with the laptop closed
Alarms set with Cortana on Windows 10 will not wake up your laptop when it's in sleep mode. However, you can customise your power settings to ensure alarms work even with the laptop closed.
By default, most laptops are set to automatically switch to sleep mode when the lid is closed, which normally disables alarms. To prevent this, you can change the power settings to stop the laptop from entering sleep mode when closed. This way, the alarm will still function.
To do this, you can configure the task scheduler to wake up your laptop at a certain time and start the Alarm app for notification. Alternatively, you can use PowerToys Awake, which doesn't require changing your power settings.
It's worth noting that some users have reported that this method only works when the laptop is plugged in, and it may not function on battery power. Additionally, if you're looking for a more straightforward solution, you can ask Cortana to shut down, restart, or put your laptop to sleep using voice commands with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
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PowerToys Awake can also prevent the laptop from sleeping and disabling alarms
Alarms set with Cortana will not wake up a computer that is in sleep mode. However, PowerToys Awake is a Windows 11 tool that can prevent a laptop from sleeping and disabling alarms. It is designed to keep a computer awake without having to manage its power and sleep settings. This can be helpful when running time-consuming tasks, ensuring that the computer does not go to sleep or turn off its screens.
PowerToys Awake does not modify any of the Windows power plan settings and does not depend on a custom power plan configuration. Instead, it spawns background threads that tell Windows that they require a specific state of the machine. Once PowerToys Awake exits, the threads are terminated, and the computer will resume its standard power plan behaviour. It is important to note that PowerToys Awake does not prevent any user-initiated actions, such as manually putting the computer to sleep or hibernating it.
To use PowerToys Awake, Windows 11 users can follow these steps: Visit the Microsoft App Store and download Microsoft PowerToys. Open the PowerToys application, go to Settings, and select Awake. Select the Enable Awake option. Once you've enabled Awake, you can choose from various Awake states, including keeping the computer awake indefinitely or for a specific duration.
By using PowerToys Awake, users can ensure that their alarms will not be disabled due to their laptop entering sleep mode. This tool provides a reliable solution to keep laptops awake whenever necessary, allowing users to complete their tasks without disruption.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the default Alarm and Clock app will not wake up the computer when it's in sleep mode.
Yes, you can configure the task scheduler to wake up your laptop at a certain time and start the Alarm app for notification.
Press and hold the search button on your device with Windows Phone 8.1 Preview for Developers. When Cortana appears, say something like, "Set an alarm for 5:30 A.M." or "Wake me up at 8 A.M."
No, Cortana does not understand commands like "Set an alarm for July 10th at 5 A.M." or "Set an alarm at 6 A.M. every Thursday."
You can use PowerToys Awake to prevent your laptop from going into sleep mode, or you can customise the power settings to stop this from happening.










































