---
name: "DPMSEnable"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libxext"
version: "1.3.7-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/DPMSEnable"
---

# DPMSEnable(3)

enables DPMS on the specified display

## NAME

DPMSEnable - enables DPMS on the specified display

## SYNOPSIS

```
cc [ flag ... ] file ... -lXext [ library ... ]
#include <X11/extensions/dpms.h>

Status DPMSEnable ( Display *display );
```

## ARGUMENTS

- *display*

  Specifies the connection to the X server

## DESCRIPTION

The **DPMSEnable** function enables Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS) on the specified *display*. When DPMS is enabled, DPMS will use the currently saved timeout values. It will trigger the appropriate DPMS power level based on the timeout values. Refer to [**DPMSSetTimeouts**(3)](/DPMSSetTimeouts/3.md). All physical screens are affected by **DPMSEnable** at the same time.

If **DPMSEnable** is invoked on a display which has DPMS already enabled, or on a display which does not support DPMS, no change is made and no error is returned.

## RETURN VALUES

- **TRUE**

  The **DPMSEnable** function always returns TRUE.

## SEE ALSO

[**DPMSCapable**(3)](/DPMSCapable/3.md), [**DPMSDisable**(3)](/DPMSDisable/3.md), [**DPMSGetTimeouts**(3)](/DPMSGetTimeouts/3.md), [**DPMSSetTimeouts**(3)](/DPMSSetTimeouts/3.md)