How to Repair a Laptop That Won’t Wake from Sleep

If your computer is not waking up from sleep mode, it can be frustrating and disruptive to your workflow. However, there are several fixes you can try to resolve this issue. Whether you’re using Windows 11, 10, 8.1, or 7, the following solutions can help you fix laptop sleep mode issues and get your device back up and running smoothly.

Before troubleshooting, it’s essential to fully shut down your computer by long-pressing the power button and then boot it up again. This simple step can often resolve minor glitches. Once you’ve done that, you can follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

Allow your keyboard and mouse to wake up your PC

Sometimes the computer fails to wake up from sleep mode because the keyboard or mouse has been prevented from doing so. To allow your keyboard and mouse to wake up your PC, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will open the Device Manager.
3. Double-click on Keyboards to expand the category.
4. Right-click on your keyboard device and select Properties.
5. In the Properties window, click on the Power Management tab.
6. Check the box next to “Allow this device to wake the computer.”
7. Click OK to save the changes.
8. Repeat the above steps for your mouse device.

Now, test if the issue is resolved by putting your computer into sleep mode and try waking it up using the keyboard or mouse.

If you’re having trouble following these steps, refer to the visual guide below:

Visual Guide: Allowing Keyboard and Mouse to Wake Up PC

Step	Description
1	Press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
2	Type devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will open the Device Manager.
3	Double-click on Keyboards to expand the category.
4	Right-click on your keyboard device and select Properties.
5	In the Properties window, click on the Power Management tab.
6	Check the box next to “Allow this device to wake the computer.”
7	Click OK to save the changes.
8	Repeat the above steps for your mouse device.

Update your device drivers

Outdated or incorrect device drivers can cause the computer to not wake up from sleep mode. To resolve this issue, it is important to update your drivers regularly. One convenient way to update drivers is by using a software like Driver Easy. With its automatic recognition system, Driver Easy can quickly identify the correct drivers for your system.

To update your drivers using Driver Easy, follow these steps:

1. Download and install Driver Easy from the official website.
2. Launch the program and click on the “Scan Now” button.
3. Driver Easy will scan your computer and detect any problem drivers that need to be updated.
4. Click on the “Update All” button to automatically download and install the correct versions of the drivers.
5. After the update process is complete, restart your computer.

By updating your device drivers, you ensure that your computer is equipped with the latest software enhancements and bug fixes, which can help resolve sleep mode issues. Once you have updated your drivers, check if the sleep mode issue is resolved by putting your computer into sleep mode and then trying to wake it up.

“Updating device drivers is an essential step in troubleshooting sleep mode issues. Outdated drivers can lead to compatibility problems and prevent your computer from waking up properly.”

– PC Expert

Turn off fast startup

Fast startup is a feature in Windows 10 and 11 that can cause problems with waking up from sleep mode. To disable fast startup, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows logo key and R at the same time.
2. Type “powercfg.cpl” and click OK.
3. Click on “Choose what the power buttons do” and then “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
4. Uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup (Recommended)” and click Save changes.

Why disable fast startup?

Fast startup, although it enhances the booting speed of your computer, can actually hinder the waking up process from sleep mode. By disabling fast startup, your computer will have a better chance of waking up smoothly, resolving the issue of it not waking up from sleep mode.

Re-enable hibernation

Hibernation can interfere with sleep mode and prevent the computer from waking up. To fix this issue, you can try disabling and re-enabling hibernation. Follow the steps below:

1. Press the Windows logo key and type cmd.

2. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

3. In the command prompt window, type powercfg.exe /hibernate off && powercfg.exe /hibernate on and press Enter.

4. Put your PC to sleep and then wake it up again to see if the issue is resolved.

If re-enabling hibernation doesn’t resolve the problem, you can try other solutions to fix the Windows 10 sleep mode issue.

Quote:

“Disabling and re-enabling hibernation can often resolve the sleep mode problem and allow your computer to wake up without any issues.” – Tech Support

Tweak power settings

Incorrect power settings can cause the computer to not wake up from sleep mode. To resolve this issue, you need to tweak the power settings on your Windows computer. Follow the steps below:

1. Press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “powercfg.cpl” in the text field and press Enter.
3. The Power Options window will open. Click on the chosen power plan and then click on Change plan settings.
4. Next, click on Change advanced power settings.
5. A new window will open with advanced power settings. Double-click on Sleep to expand the category.
6. Set “Allow hybrid sleep” to Off and “Allow wake timers” to Enable.
7. Click Apply and then click OK to save the changes.

Once you’ve adjusted the power settings, restart your computer and test if it wakes up from sleep mode without any issues.

Why Adjusting Power Settings is Important

“By tweaking the power settings on your Windows computer, you can ensure that it wakes up from sleep mode reliably. Incorrect power settings can prevent your computer from waking up and disrupt your workflow. Taking the time to adjust these settings can save you from unnecessary frustration and improve the overall performance of your computer.”

Problem	Solution
Computer not waking up from sleep mode	Tweak power settings

Repair system files

Corrupted system files can be the cause of the sleep mode issue. To repair system files, use the System File Checker (SFC) tool. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type “sfc /scannow” to initiate a scan and repair process. If the SFC tool falls short, consider using a specialized Windows repair tool like Fortect. Download and install Fortect, run a free scan of your PC, and click Start Repair to fix any issues. Restart your computer and check if the sleep mode problem is resolved.

Solution	Description
System File Checker (SFC) tool	Use Command Prompt to scan and repair corrupt system files
Fortect	A specialized Windows repair tool that can fix system file issues

Using the System File Checker (SFC) tool is a common method to repair corrupted system files. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type “sfc /scannow” to initiate a scan and repair process. This tool will detect and replace any corrupt files found on your computer.

If the SFC tool falls short in fixing the sleep mode issue, you may want to consider using a specialized Windows repair tool like Fortect. Fortect is designed to scan and repair various system file issues that may be affecting the performance of your computer. Download and install Fortect, run a free scan of your PC, and click Start Repair to fix any detected system file problems. After the repair process is complete, restart your computer and check if the sleep mode problem is resolved.

Repairing corrupt system files is an essential step in resolving sleep mode issues. Whether you choose to use the built-in SFC tool or a specialized Windows repair tool like Fortect, these methods can help restore the functionality of your computer’s sleep mode.

Conclusion

By following the above fixes, you can easily resolve the sleep mode issue on your laptop running Windows 11. To start, make sure to allow your keyboard and mouse to wake up your PC. Simply navigate to the Device Manager, locate your keyboard and mouse devices, and enable the option to wake the computer. Updating your device drivers is also crucial. You can effortlessly do this by using a reliable software like Driver Easy, which automatically detects and installs the correct drivers for your system.

In addition, it’s essential to turn off fast startup, as this feature may hinder the waking up process. Simply access the power settings, disable fast startup, and save the changes. Re-enabling hibernation can also help overcome any sleep mode issues. Launch Command Prompt as an administrator and use the command “powercfg.exe /hibernate off && powercfg.exe /hibernate on” to disable and enable hibernation.

To further troubleshoot, tweak your power settings by modifying the sleep options. Disable hybrid sleep and enable wake timers to ensure your computer wakes up smoothly. If all else fails, repairing system files with the System File Checker (SFC) tool or using a specialized Windows repair tool like Fortect can be effective solutions. Remember to regularly back up your important files to avoid data loss.

If you’ve exhausted these fixes and the sleep mode issue persists, it may be time to seek professional help or contact your computer manufacturer for further assistance.

FAQ

How can I allow my keyboard and mouse to wake up my PC?

To allow your keyboard and mouse to wake up your PC, go to the Device Manager by pressing the Windows logo key and R at the same time. Type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter. Double-click on Keyboards > your keyboard device. Click on Power Management and check the box next to “Allow this device to wake the computer.” Repeat the process for your mouse device. Test if the issue is resolved.

How do I update my device drivers?

Outdated or incorrect device drivers can cause the computer to not wake up from sleep mode. To update your drivers, you can use a software like Driver Easy. It automatically recognizes your system and finds the correct drivers. Download and install Driver Easy, then run it and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will scan your computer and detect any problem drivers. Click Update All to automatically download and install the correct versions of the drivers. Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

How can I turn off fast startup?

Fast startup is a feature in Windows 10 and 11 that can cause problems with waking up from sleep mode. To disable fast startup, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time. Type “powercfg.cpl” and click OK. Click on “Choose what the power buttons do” and then “Change settings that are currently unavailable.” Uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup (Recommended)” and click Save changes. Check if the computer wakes up from sleep mode now.

How do I re-enable hibernation?

Hibernation can interfere with sleep mode and prevent the computer from waking up. To fix this, disable and enable hibernation. Press the Windows logo key and type cmd. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. In the command prompt window, type “powercfg.exe /hibernate off && powercfg.exe /hibernate on” and press Enter. Put your PC to sleep and wake it up again to see if the issue is resolved.

How can I tweak power settings to fix sleep mode issues?

Incorrect power settings can cause the computer to not wake up from sleep mode. To tweak power settings, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time. Type “powercfg.cpl” and press Enter. Click on the chosen power plan and click Change plan settings. Click on Change advanced power settings. Double-click on Sleep and set Allow hybrid sleep to Off and Allow wake timers to Enable. Click Apply > OK. Restart your computer and test if it wakes up without fail.

How do I repair system files to resolve the sleep mode issue?

Corrupted system files can be the cause of the sleep mode issue. To repair system files, use the System File Checker (SFC) tool. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type “sfc /scannow” to initiate a scan and repair process. If the SFC tool falls short, consider using a specialized Windows repair tool like Fortect. Download and install Fortect, run a free scan of your PC, and click Start Repair to fix any issues. Restart your computer and check if the sleep mode problem is resolved.

What should I do if my laptop still doesn’t wake up from sleep mode after trying the above fixes?

By following the above fixes, you should be able to resolve the issue of a laptop not waking up from sleep mode. However, if the problem persists, consider seeking professional help or contacting the computer manufacturer for further assistance. Avoid potential data loss by regularly backing up your important files.