In order to conserve battery life and save power, the default setting on a Windows 11/10 computer is to automatically go into sleep mode after a set period of inactivity.
If Sleep Mode is not working on your computer and it is staying awake all the time, the problem is most likely due to change in Power Settings on your computer.
In certain cases, the problem of computer not going into sleep mode could also be due to an external device or an open program, preventing the computer from going into sleep mode.
Windows Computer Not Going to Sleep
If your Laptop or Desktop computer is not going to sleep, you can find below the steps to troubleshoot and fix the issue of a Windows 11/10 computer not going into sleep mode.
1. Check Power & Sleep Settings
The first step would be to take a look at “Power & Sleep” settings on your computer and make sure that your computer is set to go into sleep mode after a reasonable period of inactivity.
1. Go to Settings > System > click on Power & Battery in the right-pane.
2. On the next screen, click on Screen and Sleep and set When plugged in, put my device to sleep after setting to 15/30 minutes or any other time that suits your requirements.
Windows 10: Go to Settings > System > Power & Sleep. In the right-pane, set your desired timings for PC goes to sleep after option, for Battery power and while plugged into Power Supply.
2. Disconnect External Devices
As mentioned above, the problem of Windows computer not going into sleep mode can also be caused by external devices attached to the computer.
Devices like Camera, Hard Drives, Microphone and other USB connected devices might be preventing the computer from going into Sleep Mode.
Remove all other USB connected devices from the computer (except Keyboard & Mouse) and restart the computer.
3. Prevent Mouse from Waking Up Computer
If you are working in a limited or cramped space, any movement or vibration near the computer can activate the Mouse, which in-turn wakes up the computer.
1. Right-click on Start button and click on Device Manager.
2. On Device Manager screen, expand Mice and other pointing devices > Right-click on Mouse and click on Properties.
3. On Mouse Properties screen, go to Power Management tab and uncheck Allow this device to wake the computer option
4. Click on OK to save this setting.
4. Restore Default Power Plan
A quick way to fix the problem of a Windows computer not going into sleep mode is to Restore Default Power Saving Settings on the computer.
1. Press Windows + R keys to open Run Command.
2. In the Run Command window, type powercfg.cpl and click on OK.
3. On Power Options screen, click on Change plan settings option, located next to the active Power Plan on your computer.
4. On the next screen, click on Restore Default Settings for this plan.
Once the default Power Settings are enabled, your computer should go into sleep mode.
5. Check for Programs
If your computer is still not going into sleep mode, it is possible that an open program or process is preventing it from going into sleep mode.
1. Type CMD in the search bar > right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator option.
2. On Command Prompt screen, type powercfg -requests and press the Enter key.
Once this command is executed, look for programs listed under “Execution” section.
If you find Skype or any other App or Program appearing on the command prompt window, close/logout of the Program.
6. Disable Fast Startup
The fast startup feature in Windows can sometimes prevent the computer from going into sleep mode.
1. Open Run Command > type powercfg.cpl and click on OK.
2. On the Power Options screen, click on Choose What the Power Buttons Do.
3. On the next screen, uncheck Turn on fast startup option, located under “Shutdown settings” section.
4. Click on Save Changes button.
7. Disable Hybrid Sleep
The Hybrid Sleep option is not supported on all computers and this might be causing power related problems on your computer.
1. Open Run Command > type powercfg.cpl and click on OK.
2. On Power Options screen, click on Change Plan Settings option, located next to the selected option.
3. On the next screen, click on Change Advanced Power Settings.
4. On the next screen, expand Sleep > Sleep After and set Allow hybrid sleep option to OFF position, both On Battery and while Plugged in.
5. Click on Apply/OK to save these changes to Power settings on your computer.