A high efficiency switching controller for use in a switching power supply (SPS) includes a current control device coupled to a voltage source of the SPS and a switch connected between the current control device and an output voltage circuit of the SPS. An under voltage lockout regulator coupled to the output voltage circuit of the SPS and the switch controls the state of the switch based on a voltage of the output voltage circuit and a bias unit coupled to the under voltage lockout regulator provides current to circuitry within the switching controller based on the voltage of the output voltage circuit. A protector within the high efficiency switching controller provides a control signal to the pulse width modulator unit to control the gate drive signal in response to an operating condition of the switching controller. Additionally, the control signal can periodically enable the pulse width modulator unit in response to a voltage of the output voltage circuit so that the gate drive signal includes groups of gate drive pulses.