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Windows Sleep or Hibernate: Doesn't Work or Cannot Wake Up

Sleep and Hibernate modes are essential power-saving features in Windows, helping conserve energy and resume work seamlessly. If your Dell computer is having trouble entering or waking from sleep or hibernate mode, this guide provides step-by-step instructions to resolve these issues.

Understanding Sleep and Hibernate on Windows

Before we begin troubleshooting, let's understand the difference between sleep and hibernate mode.

  • Sleep Mode: Think of sleep mode as a quick nap for your computer. It saves your current state to the system memory (RAM), so you can resume your work quickly. The system goes into a low-power state but keeps running in the background.
  • Hibernate Mode: Hibernate mode is like a deep sleep. Your computer saves the current session to the hard drive and then powers down completely, using no power at all. It takes a bit longer to wake up from hibernate compared to sleep mode, but it's great for saving energy.

Common Symptoms of Sleep or Hibernate Problems

If your computer can't wake up from sleep or hibernate mode or doesn't enter sleep or hibernate mode, it is often caused by outdated drivers, incorrect power settings, and so on. Here are some common symptoms to recognize these issues.

  • Computer fails to enter sleep or hibernate mode: The screen turns off, but the system stays powered on.
  • System freezes when entering or waking from sleep: You might need to restart the computer manually.
  • Unexpected wakeups: The computer wakes up on its own without any input.
  • Battery drains in sleep mode: The device consumes power significantly while in sleep mode.
  • Black screen on wake: The display remains unresponsive after waking from sleep or hibernate mode.

How to Resolve Sleep or Hibernate Problems on Windows

If you are noticing any of the above symptoms, following these steps can help resolve the issue.

Disconnecting External Devices

External peripherals can sometimes interfere with sleep or hibernate functionality.

  1. Disconnect USB drives, printers, or docking stations.
  2. Try entering sleep mode to check if the issue persists.
  3. If the problem resolves, reconnect devices individually to identify which device was causing the problem.

If the computer can't enter sleep or hibernate mode, proceed to the next step.

Disabling Fast Startup

Fast startup feature in Windows can interfere with the sleep or hibernate functionality. Here's how to disable it:

  1. Search for Control Panel in the Start menu and open the app.
  2. Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
  3. Click Choose what the power buttons do from the left pane.
  4. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  5. Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended) under Shutdown settings.
  6. Save changes and shut down your computer.

If the computer doesn't go in to sleep or hibernate mode, proceed to the next step.

Turn on fast startup option in Control Panel

Updating Drivers and BIOS

Outdated system drivers and BIOS are a common cause for sleep or hibernate issues. Updating drivers and BIOS ensure compatibility with the latest operating system updates and fixes known issues. SupportAssist is Dell's automated tool that scans your Windows computer for driver and firmware updates, downloads, and installs them.

  1. Search for SupportAssist in the Start menu and open the app.
  2. On the Home tab, select Update Software.
  3. Click Start to check for driver and BIOS updates.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation and restart your computer if prompted.

If you don't have SupportAssist, refer to our driver update guide for alternative methods to download and install Dell drivers.

If the computer fails to enter sleep mode or hibernate, proceed to the next step.

Check for updates in SupportAssist

Checking for Pending Windows Updates

Windows updates often resolve compatibility issues but can sometimes cause sleep or hibernate problems if not completed.

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update. Open Windows Update settings.
  2. Select Check for updates and install the available updates.

If updating the operating system doesn't resolve the problem, proceed to the next step.

Check for Windows Updates

Adjusting USB Power Settings

Selective suspend feature in Windows can interfere with sleep or hibernate mode. To disable it:

  1. Search for Edit Power Plan in the Start menu.
  2. Click on Change advanced power settings.
  3. Expand USB settings, then USB selective suspend settings.
  4. Set it to Disabled.
  5. Restart your computer and verify if the USB device works.

If disabling selective suspend didn't work or if USB selective suspend option is not available, proceed to the next step.

USB selective suspend setting in Control Panel

Resetting Power Plans

Resetting your Windows power plans can often help resolve misconfigured settings.

  1. Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu and open the app as administrator (Run as Administrator).
  2. Type powercfg -restoredefaultschemes and press Enter.
  3. This resets all power settings to their defaults.
  4. Restart the computer and check if the sleep or hibernate problem is resolved.

Refreshing Hiberfil.sys File

  1. Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu and open the app as administrator (Run as Administrator).
  2. Type powercfg -h off and press Enter.
  3. Restart the computer.
  4. Open Command Prompt as administrator again.
  5. Type powercfg -h on and press Enter.
  6. This resets all power settings to their defaults.
  7. Restart the computer and check if the sleep or hibernate problem is resolved.

Running System File Checker (SFC) on Windows

Use the System File Checker (SFC) scan in Windows to check and repair corrupted system files that might cause sleep or hibernate problems. Here's how:

  1. Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu and open the app as administrator (Run as Administrator).
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  3. The System File Checker will begin scanning all protected system files for integrity and repair any necessary files. The scan may take some time, and a progress percentage will be displayed.
  4. Restart the computer and check if the sleep or hibernate problem is resolved.

Running Dell Hardware Diagnostics

Your computer might be experiencing problems due to a hardware issue. A hardware test on your computer's memory, hard drive, and other components helps isolate potential hardware issues.

Using SupportAssist

  1. Run the SupportAssist full system test. If SupportAssist isn't installed, follow the prompts to install the app if needed.
  2. SupportAssist will thoroughly scan your hardware, checking the CPU, system memory, hard drive, and more.
  3. Once the diagnostic test is complete, SupportAssist displays the results.
  4. If a hardware issue is detected, you may be guided to update drivers or contact Dell Technical Support for repair options.

If the test passes and the sleep or hibernate issue persists, try some additional steps to resolve sleep or hibernate problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Herre are some answers to common questions that users ask about sleep or hibernate mode on Windows.

1. What's the difference between sleep, hibernate, and hybrid sleep?

  • Sleep mode uses system memory or RAM to save your session and is faster to resume.
  • Hibernate mode saves to disk and uses no power but takes longer to resume.
  • Hybrid Sleep mode is a combination of both, saving to RAM and disk simultaneously for added protection.

2. Is it better to use sleep or hibernate mode?

  • It depends on your needs. Sleep mode is faster and ideal for short breaks, while hibernate mode saves more power and is better for longer periods of inactivity.

3. Can a virus or malware prevent my computer from entering sleep or hibernate mode?

  • Yes, some malware or viruses can interfere with power management settings. Run a full system scan with your antivirus software to check for any malicious programs.

4. Why does my computer wake up immediately after sleeping?

  • This is often caused by a connected device. Try disconnecting external devices like docking stations or external drives, and then check if the issue persists.

5. Why does my battery drain in sleep mode?

  • Connected devices or background processes might be consuming power. Disconnect external devices and close unused apps to conserve battery power.

6. How do I fix black screen issues after waking up?

  • Refresh your graphics driver by pressing Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B.
  • Update your graphics drivers to the latest version.
  • Ensure that fast startup is disabled.

7. How do I check if my laptop is in sleep or hibernate mode?

  • If the power indicator light is blinking, your system is likely in sleep mode.
  • Hibernate mode powers down completely but saves the current session.

8. How do I wake up my computer from sleep or hibernate mode?

  • To wake up your computer from sleep mode, just press any key on the keyboard or move the mouse. If your computer has been in sleep mode for a long time and has entered hibernate mode, press the power button to wake it up.

9. How do I wake up my monitor from standby mode?

  • If your monitor goes into standby mode, it means it isn't detecting a video signal. Here’s what you can do:
    • Make sure your computer isn't in sleep or hibernate mode.
    • Ensure all video cables are securely connected. If possible, disconnect and reconnect the video cable.
    • Sometimes a restart can resolve the issue.

10. What if none of these troubleshooting steps work?