14 Fixes For Windows Sleep Mode Not Working

Windows Sleep mode not working is one of the common issues faced by the users. There could be several reasons behind this issue. There are so many factors available that come into play while we try to identify the problem. 

Also, the procedure will get complicated with different PC manufacturers. Don’t worry; we have provided 14 different solutions to tackle this problem in this article. 

Causes For Windows Sleep Mode Not Working

1. Outdated Device Drivers – Sleep mode might not sometimes work if your driver is not updated. It would be good to update all the device drivers related to your system.

2. Virus or Malware – While installing third-party apps, viruses or malware might get installed. Install an antivirus to prevent viruses or malware in your system.

3. Not Updating Windows 10 – If Windows 10 is not up to date, sleep mode will not work. Your system will check for the updates; based on that, you need to update them. 

Solutions to Fix windows sleep mode not working

1. Find Out the App That is Stopping Windows PC From Sleep Mode
2. Disable the Wake Timers
3. Allow Your System to Sleep
4. Disable the Fast Startup
5. Disable the Screensaver option
6. Check the Sleep Settings’
7. Perform a Clean Boot
8. Use Windows 10 Troubleshooter
9. Update Windows 10
10. Disable the Hybrid Mode
11. Scan Your Laptop or PC For Viruses or Malware
12. Disconnect the Peripheral Devices
13. Check the Compatibility of the Connected Devices
14. Check the Drivers Related to Your System

Solutions to Fix Windows Sleep Mode Not Working

1. Find Out the App That is Stopping Windows PC From Sleep Mode

Before we move on to the other solutions, we must determine what stops Windows PC from sleep mode. Follow the steps provided below to find out the app causing the issue.

• Click on the search icon and search for CMD. Once the search result appears, run it in administrator mode. 

• Once the command prompt window opens, type powercfg -requests and press enter.
• This result will display the applications that cause the issue. Try to find that application and uninstall it from your system. If it comes from the software program that you have installed, then uninstall that program from the control panel app.
• For directly disabling it from the command prompt, then type powercfg -requestsoverride <CALLER_TYPE>"<NAME>"<REQUEST>
• For example, if sd.exe is causing the issue, then replace sd.exe in the place of a name. 
• If you want to find out who prevented the system from going to sleep mode, then type powercfg -lastwake
• If you’re going to find out all the devices that wake up your system to run, then type powercfg -devicequery wake_armed

If the issue comes from the network adapter, follow the steps below to solve it.

• Click on the search icon and search for Device Manager.

• Expand the Network adapters section.

• It will display the list of adapters. Right-click on the adapter that seems to be causing the issue and click on properties.
• In the properties window, click on the power management tab. 
• Check the checkbox that says Allow the computer to turn off this device. 

2. Disable the Wake Timers

• Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R Key on your PC or Laptop.
• In the open box, type control.exe powercfg.cpl,,3

• Double click on the sleep option so that it will expand.
• Double click on the Allow Wake Timers option and click on the disable option.

• If using a laptop, disable both plugged-in and battery options. 

3. Allow Your System to Sleep

If the power settings do not default, it will not allow your system to sleep. Sometimes when you install any third-party software, it will mess up with the settings, which will lead to sleep mode not working on your system. Follow the steps provided below to change the power settings to default.

• Click on the search icon and search for Edit Power Plan.

• Once it opens, click on Change advanced power settings.

• It will open the power options window. In that, click on restore plan defaults.

• Additionally, it would help if you expanded the multimedia settings option. In that, click on the when sharing media option.

• Click on plugged in and on battery options. From the dropdown menu, select allow the computer to sleep. 

Once you have done all these changes, restart your computer and check if it goes back to sleep mode or not. 

4. Disable the Fast Startup

It is a helpful feature by which the system will save images of loaded drivers. Follow the steps provided below to disable fast startup in your system.

• Click on the search icon and search for powercfg.CPL.

• Once the power options window opens, click on Choose what the power buttons do. 

• It will take you to the system settings window. In that, click on change settings that are currently unavailable. 

• Check the first checkbox under the shutdown settings, which says turn on fast startup. 

5. Disable the Screensaver Option

Sometimes disabling the screensaver will help you in solving windows sleep mode problems. Follow the steps provided below to disable the screensaver option.

• Click on the search icon and search for the change screen saver.

• From the dropdown box, select the None option.

• Click on Ok.

6. Check the Sleep Settings

• Open the Run dialog box by clicking Windows + R Key on your keyboard.
• In the open box, type powercfg.cpl and press enter.
• The power options windows will open. From that, click on choose when to turn off the display option.
• Check the power settings in your system and see whether they are correct. If they are not correct, then change the settings. 

7. Perform a Clean Boot

Sometimes your PC will not be able to sleep if any third-party software is installed on it. If that is the case, you must perform a clean boot of your system. When you perform a clean boot, your system will start with essential windows services and programs. 

This will make sure that third-party software to not start on your system. Follow the steps below to perform a clean boot on your system to solve the windows sleep mode issues.

• Click on the search icon and search for msconfig. 
• It will open the system configuration window. In that, click on the selective startup radio button. Check only the load system services checkbox.
• Click on the Ok button.
• Choose the Services tab from the top menu. This shows all the services provided by Microsoft to your system. 
• Search for hiding all Microsoft service options. And click on disable all.
• Click on the Apply button and click on Ok.
• Next, click on the Startup tab from the top menu.
• Click on open task manager. 
• Right-click and disable all everything you see in that tab. 
• Restart your computer, and it will open in boot mode. Check whether the issue is solved or not. 

8. Use Windows 10 Troubleshooter

This solution will effectively help you in solving the windows 10 sleeping issue. Follow the steps provided below to use the Windows 10 troubleshooter.

• Click on the search icon and search for the Settings app.
• Under home, click on the Update and security option.
• Then, click on the troubleshoot option.
• Under troubleshoot, click on the power option.
• From the expanded menu, click on the Run the troubleshooter option.
• The troubleshooter will start to find the problem. Let it complete the operation.

Once you have done this, check whether the sleep mode works or not. 

9. Update Windows 10

Sleep mode will not work when you have not updated the Windows 10 Operating System; sometimes, sleep mode will not work. When you update windows 10 to the latest version, it will update all the device drivers on your PC. Once you update that, sleep mode will work without any issue. Follow the steps provided below to update Windows 10.

• Click on the Search icon and search for the Settings app.
• In the Settings app, click on the Update and security option.
• It will check for updates. Click on the Update Now button.
• Once the update is complete, restart the system and check whether the sleep mode works or not. 

10. Disable the Hybrid Mode

Hybrid mode is a combination of hibernation and sleep mode. If this mode is on, it will not allow your PC to sleep. Follow the steps provided below to disable the hybrid mode.

• Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R Key on your PC or Laptop.
• In the open box, type control.exe powercfg.cpl,,3
• This will open the advanced power option settings window.
• Expand the sleep option. Now, Expand and allow the hybrid Sleep option. From the dropdown menu, click on Off.
• Once you are done, click on Ok. 

Now, restart your system and check whether the sleep mode works or not. 

11. Scan your Laptop or PC For Viruses or Malware

If your PC has any virus or malware, it will affect your PC’s normal functioning. So, it would be better to install any antivirus on your PC. Once you have installed antivirus, scan your PC, check whether there is any threat to your PC, and remove it.

12. Disconnect the Peripheral Devices

Sometimes peripheral devices connected to your PC will not allow Windows Sleep Mode. So, it would be good to disconnect the externally connected peripheral devices. Remove external devices such as Printers, Scanners, webcams, and DVDs. Now, check whether the windows sleep mode is working or not. 

13. Check the Compatibility of the Connected Devices

If the device connected to your PC is incompatible, it will affect the windows sleep mode. This happens when the manufacturers release the Update before they get compatible with the latest version. Some common culprits related to this are Printers, Scanners, Webcams, and DVDs. 

To solve this, you need to go to the manufacturers’ website and check for compatibility issues. If there are no compatibility issues, unplug the device and check if the problem persists. 

14. Check the Drivers Related to Your System

Sometimes the missing or outdated drivers can cause this error. To solve this issue, you should first verify whether the drivers in your system are up to date or not. If they are not updated, then update those drivers.

There are two methods available for searching for the latest version of your driver. You can manually search it from the manufacturer, download it, and install it on the computer. But this takes time and requires a lot of computer skills. If you are confident with your computer skills, go ahead with this method.

The second method is done using the Device Manager.

• Right-click on the Windows icon and click on Device Manager. You can also reach it from the control panel.
• Click on the search icon and search for the control panel. Once the control panel window opens, click on Device Manager. 
• Expand the Display adapters section. It will display the installed drivers. Right-click on the driver and click on the Update driver. 
• You can update it either by existing updates or search automatically for updates. 

Conclusion

I hope this article will help you solve the windows sleep mode not working issue. This is a common issue and nothing to worry about. Try to implement the solution individually and find the one that works for you. 

FAQs