Your computer going to sleep at the wrong moment is one of those small problems that gets annoying fast. A long download stalls. A demo screen dims mid-sentence. A call drops you to a lock screen. The usual fix is to dig through every power setting and change a dozen things. Then forget to change them back.
You don't have to do that. Here's how to keep things awake in a controlled way, and undo it just as easily when you're done.
Why Your Computer Sleeps in the First Place
Sleep and screen-lock exist for good reasons: they save power and keep your machine secure when you step away. The problem is that your computer can't tell the difference between "I've walked off" and "I'm reading a long document and haven't touched the mouse in ten minutes." After a set idle period, it dims, locks, or sleeps regardless.
So the goal isn't to disable sleep forever. It's to keep your computer awake during a specific session, then let normal behaviour return afterwards.
How to stop your computer going to sleep: the short version
If you just want the answer, here it is for each system, from the least to the most permanent.
Mac. Open Terminal and type caffeinate; your Mac stays awake until you press Ctrl+C. Wrap a long job in it with caffeinate -i yourcommand and it ends when the job does. For a permanent change, System Settings → Lock Screen, then raise the display and sleep timers.
Windows. PowerToys Awake, Microsoft's free utility, holds the PC awake for a set time from the tray. For a permanent change, Settings → System → Power & battery → Screen and sleep, and set both to longer or to Never while plugged in.
Either, when you also need to look active. None of the above creates mouse or keyboard input, so Slack and Teams still mark you Away. A small app that moves the mouse or clicks for you, like Green Dotter, keeps the screen awake and the status green at the same time, and pauses when you come back. There's a separate guide for the agent case: keeping your computer awake while Claude Code or Codex runs.
Option 1: The Built-In Settings (When You Remember to Undo Them)
Both platforms let you change this directly:
Mac: System Settings → Lock Screen and Battery / Power Adapter. You can set the display to turn off later and prevent automatic sleeping while plugged in.
Windows: Settings → System → Power & battery → Screen and sleep. Set the screen and sleep timers to longer values, or to Never while plugged in.
This works, but it has a catch: it's a global change. Set everything to "Never" and your laptop will happily stay awake all night on battery. The settings route is best when you genuinely want a longer default, not for a one-off session you'll forget to reverse.
Option 2: A Lightweight Keep-Awake Utility
If you just need to stop sleep mode for a while without touching system settings, a small keep-awake utility is the cleaner choice. These sit in your menu bar or system tray and keep the machine awake for a set duration, then get out of the way.
Popular options include Amphetamine or Caffeine on Mac, and PowerToys Awake on Windows. Toggle them on before a long task, toggle them off when you're done. Nothing permanent changes.
For a lot of people, that's the whole answer. If all you need is "don't sleep for the next two hours," stop here.
Option 3: When You Need Clicks, Not Just Wakefulness
Keep-awake utilities solve sleep. They don't do anything inside a specific app or window. If your task needs actual clicks in a chosen spot, keeping a session active, running a repetitive workflow, or holding a kiosk or demo screen in place, then a controlled auto clicker is the better fit.
Instead of changing power state, it clicks inside a safe area you choose, on a randomised schedule. That keeps the machine awake as a side effect, and gives you control over where and how often it clicks. Green Dotter is built for exactly this: you pick the area, set a timing range, and it pauses automatically the moment you take over.
Keep It Controlled
Whichever route you pick, the principle is the same: keep your computer awake only for the session you need, and make sure you can stop it instantly. A keep-awake utility you can toggle off, or an auto clicker that pauses when you return, both stay under your control. Avoid the "set everything to Never and forget" trap.
And if this is a work device, check your employer's policies first and make sure your use is allowed before running any keep-awake or automation tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to keep my computer awake?
If you only need to stop sleep mode, a keep-awake utility or power setting may be enough. If you need controlled clicks inside a specific screen area, an auto clicker like Green Dotter is more suitable.
Is an auto clicker the same as a mouse jiggler?
No. A mouse jiggler usually moves the cursor. An auto clicker creates click events inside an area you choose.
Can Green Dotter keep my computer awake?
Yes. Green Dotter can help keep your computer awake during controlled sessions by clicking inside a safe area on your screen.
Should I use this on a work device?
Check your employer's policies first. Green Dotter is a user-controlled automation tool, but you should make sure your use is allowed.
How do I stop my computer going to sleep without changing settings?
On a Mac, run caffeinate in Terminal for the session. On Windows, use PowerToys Awake. Both keep the machine awake without touching your saved power settings. If you also need Slack or Teams to see you as active, use an app that creates real mouse activity, such as Green Dotter.
Related: more ways to keep your computer awake on Mac and Windows, or specifically how to keep your Mac awake.