If your computer is not going into Sleep Mode, you will find it staying awake all the time and unnecessarily using up resources and draining Battery life.
Hence, the problem of a Windows computer not automatically going into sleep mode needs to be investigated and fixed as early as possible.
Windows Computer Not Going to Sleep
The default Setting on a Windows computer is to save Battery life by automatically switching the computer into Sleep Mode, after 10 to 15 minutes of inactivity.
If this is not happening, the problem could be due to an App, Desktop program or an external device keeping the computer awake and preventing it from going to sleep.
In addition to this, change in Power Plan Settings and features like Fast Startup and Hybrid Sleep are also known to prevent the computer from going into Sleep Mode.
1. Check Power & Sleep Settings
The first step would be to take a look at “Power & Sleep” settings on the computer and make sure that it 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, open Screen, Sleep & Hibernate time-outs tab > select the Recommended Sleep time for “Make my Device sleep after” entry, both for Battery & Plugged-in sections.
Windows 10: Go to Settings > System > Power & Sleep. In the right-pane, set a reasonable time for PC goes to sleep after option, both for Battery power and while plugged into Power Supply.
2. Disconnect External Devices
External devices attached to the computer like Camera, Hard Drives and other USB connected devices might be preventing the computer from going into Sleep Mode.
Hence, remove all other USB connected devices from the computer (except Keyboard & Mouse) > Restart the computer and see if this has helped in fixing the problem.
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 the 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 on your computer.
4. Restore Default Power Plan
The problem of a Windows computer not going into sleep mode could be due to change in Power Plan Settings.
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 link, next to the active Power Plan on the 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 app, 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 any other App or Program appearing on the Command prompt window, close that 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.