Laptop Lid Switch Configuration

Configuration Steps

1. Edit systemd login configuration

Open the login configuration file:

nano /etc/systemd/logind.conf

2. Modify lid switch behavior

Find the line:

HandleLidSwitch=suspend

Change it to:

HandleLidSwitch=ignore

3. Restart the service

Apply the changes by restarting systemd-logind:

systemctl restart systemd-logind

4. Verify the configuration

Check that the service is running properly:

systemctl status systemd-logind

Why This Matters

By default, most Linux distributions (including Debian, which Proxmox is based on) are configured to suspend the system when a laptop lid is closed. This is problematic for:

• Proxmox nodes that need to run 24/7
• Headless laptop servers
• Systems used in confined spaces where the lid needs to be closed

Additional Options

The HandleLidSwitch parameter supports several values:

• ignore - Do nothing when lid is closed
• suspend - Suspend the system (default)
• hibernate - Hibernate the system
• poweroff - Power off the system
• lock - Lock the session

For Proxmox nodes, ignore is the recommended setting.