All apps close when I close laptop lid - why?

This problem has only developed over the last few days, and I am not aware that I have changed any settings. Whenever my laptop lid is closed for more than about ten minutes all apps close, and have to be restarted when the lid is next opened. If the lid is closed for only a minute or two all apps re-appear as they were when the lid was closed. This happens on both battery and mains power.

When I open the lid after a longer period the computer wakes up and shows the desktop. If I wait for about one minute the Task Manager opens. After a few seconds this shows "Not responding", but then starts working, apparently normally. However, when showing Processes the CPU and Disk usages are both in the 70 - 100% range, and stayy there for at least five minutes. Clicking on the desktop during this period minimizes the Task Manager and I can then restart my apps.

Any pointers and help will be very much appreciated, and many thanks in advance.

Many thanks for your reply and the welcome to Tenforums, Brink. I already have the Lid Close action set to Sleep for both battery and mains power.

My problem appears to have developed further. Having left the lid open last night, this morning all apps had closed. Only the Task Manager was open and it was showing low, but continuous, levels of activity. I'm at a total loss to explain this.

Mike

Yes, the Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device and reopen my apps after an update or restart is, and always has been, turned on.

Mike

The Low battery action is set to Hibernate, and Battery notification is On for both battery and plugged in modes.

Mike