Generally, no, your PC will not keep downloading files while it is in . When a computer enters sleep, it enters a low-power state that essentially pauses all active processes, including the CPU and network card, to save energy.
When a computer enters sleep mode, it enters a low-power state designed to save energy. To do this, it essentially pauses the processor and cuts power to non-essential hardware—including your network card. The download process is halted, and the connection to the internet server is severed.
Go to Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep . Set the "Sleep" timers to Never while you are downloading. will my pc keep downloading in sleep mode
If you want to leave your PC unattended but keep the download going, you need to change your power settings. You are looking for a middle ground between "Fully Awake" and "Fully Asleep."
If using a laptop, go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Choose what closing the lid does . Set it to Do nothing so you can close the lid without stopping the download. On macOS: Generally, no, your PC will not keep downloading
No. Your PC will not continue downloading files in standard Sleep Mode.
It is worth noting the difference between PCs and consoles, as this often causes confusion. To do this, it essentially pauses the processor
Here’s a quick guide to understanding whether your PC will keep downloading in sleep mode, covering Windows and macOS.
Newer laptops sometimes utilize a feature called "Modern Standby" (S0 Low Power Idle). This is similar to how smartphones work—they sleep but can still check email and update apps in the background. However, this is not reliable for large file downloads like games or movies. The connection is often too unstable for large data transfers. It is still recommended to keep the PC awake for large downloads.