---
name: "DPMSSetTimeouts"
section: "3x"
platform: "linux"
package: "libxext-dev"
version: "1:1.0.1-2"
release: "Debian 4.0 (Etch)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/DPMSSetTimeouts/3x"
---

# DPMSSetTimeouts(3x)

permits applications to set the timeout values used by the X server for DPMS timings

## NAME

DPMSSetTimeouts - permits applications to set the timeout values used by the X server for DPMS timings

## SYNOPSIS

```
cc [ flag ... ] file ... -lXext [ library ... ]
#include <X11/extensions/dpms.h>
Status DPMSSetTimeouts
(
      Display *display,
      CARD16 standby,
      CARD16 suspend,
      CARD16 off
);
```

## ARGUMENTS

- *display*

  Specifies the connection to the X server

- *standby*

  Specifies the new standby timeout in seconds

- *suspend*

  Specifies the new suspend timeout in seconds

- *off*

  Specifies the new off timeout in seconds

## DESCRIPTION

The DPMSSetTimeouts function permits applications to set the timeout values used by the X server for Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS) timings.

The value *standby* is the amount of inactivity time, in seconds, before  standby mode is invoked. The actual  effects of this mode are dependent on the characteristics of the monitor and  frame buffer card. Standby mode is  implemented by shutting off the horizontal sync signal, and pulsing the vertical  sync signal. Standby mode  provides the quickest monitor recovery time.  Note also that many monitors  implement this mode identical to  suspend mode.  A value of zero disables the standby mode.

The value *suspend* is the amount of time of inactivity, in seconds, before  the second level of power  savings is invoked. Suspend mode's physical and electrical characteristics are  implementation defined. For DPMS  compliant hardware, setting the suspend mode is implemented by pulsing the  horizontal sync signal and  shutting off the vertical sync signal.  In general, suspend mode recovery is  considered to be slower than  standby mode, but faster than off mode. However it may vary from monitor to  monitor.  As noted above, many  monitors implement this mode identical to the standby mode.  A value of zero  disables this mode.

The value *off* is the amount of time of inactivity,in seconds, before the  third and final level of power  savings is invoked. Off mode's physical and electrical characteristics are  implementation defined. In DPMS  compliant hardware, it is implemented by shutting off both horizontal and  vertical sync signals, resulting in  powering down of the monitor.  Recovery time is implementation dependent.  Usually the recovery time is very  close to the power-up time of the monitor. A value of zero disables this mode.

Chronologically, *standby* mode occurs before or simultaneously with  *suspend* mode, and  *suspend* mode must occur before or simultaneously with *off* mode.  Therefore, non-zero mode timeout  values must be greater than or equal to the timeout values of earlier modes.  If  inconsistent values are  supplied, a BadValue error will result.

## RETURN VALUES

- TRUE

  The  *DPMSSetTimeouts* function returns TRUE when the function has succeeded.

## ERRORS

- BadValue

  An argument is out of range.

## SEE ALSO

[**DPMSCapable**(3x)](/DPMSCapable/3x.md), [**DPMSInfo**(3x)](/DPMSInfo/3x.md), [**DPMSGetTimeouts**(3x)](/DPMSGetTimeouts/3x.md)