Fix ‘Windows 10 Sleep Mode Not Working’ Issue With These 13 Solutions!

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All Windows PC/ Laptop devices ship with this feature called “Sleep Mode.” As per this, the system goes into sleep mode automatically when it is not used for a certain amount of time. Also, you can manually put your PC to sleep, as it’s a great way to resume your work without wasting power on standby.

However, right after the rollout of the September 2020 optional update, many Windows users are reporting issues with the ‘Sleep Mode’ feature, like—

Computer Won’t Stay Asleep
Computer Won’t Go To Sleep
Windows 10 Sleep Mode Not Working
Windows 10 Won’t Sleep Automatically or,
Computer Won’t Sleep in Windows 10, etc.

So, let us ask you if you’re also having problems where Microsoft Windows 10 won’t go into sleep mode? If yes! Then, let us tell you that mainly, these are the two types of ‘Sleep Mode issues’ that users may face in their Windows 10 PC:

Sleep Mode Option Missing in Windows 10
Computer Won’t Go To Sleep In Windows 10

And, considering them, today in this article, we’ve discussed all the apt solutions to fix the “Windows 10 Sleep Mode Not Working” issue.

Solutions to Fix ‘Windows 10 Sleep Mode Not Working’ Issue

Have all your attention here to get enlightened about the couple of troubleshooting methods that will help you to fix the sleep mode issues in Windows 10:

Solution 1: Scan Your Windows 10 PC for Virus/Malware

First of all, you’ve to understand the fact that virus attacks can affect the normal functioning of a PC, and it might be possible that you’re encountering this “Windows 10 Sleep Mode Not Working” just because your Windows 10 PC has some sort of Virus or Malware.

So, considering that, we recommend you to scan your PC/Laptop to detect any available virus/malware from the system. However, if you do not have an Antivirus installed to scan your Windows 10 system then, get one installed immediately from the following list of best Antivirus for Windows 10—

After installing an Antivirus from the above-list, scan your PC and see if a threat is detected or not. If yes, remove it with the help of your installed antivirus and then, check if you are now able to put your Windows 10 PC to sleep!

Solution 2: Figure-out whose Stopping Windows 10 from Going to Sleep Mode!

Now, to actually begin troubleshooting this issue, it is advised that you find out about the applications that hinder with sleep mode in Windows 10 and for that, you can simply perform these three given steps—

Step 1: Press ‘Windows 10 Logo’ key to open ‘Windows Search Menu.’ There in ‘Windows 10 Search Box’ type “CMD” and hit the ‘Enter’ button so that the ‘Command Prompt App’ will appear in the search result.
Step 2: Perform the right click action on the command prompt app’s icon and from the contextual menu that appears, simply select the ‘Run as administrator’ option.
Step 3: After that, in the Command Prompt app, run this “powercfg -requests” command to find out what all applications hinder sleep mode in your Windows 10 PC other than basic needed applications.

Upon doing so, the result will display the list of all those applications which hinder the right working of your Windows 10 sleep mode. From the same, you’ve to just select that culprit and simply uninstall or disable it by running this below-given command—

“powercfg -requestsoverride <CALLER_TYPE>“<NAME>”<REQUEST>”

For instance, if [Process yc.exe] comes out to be the culprit then, the above command that you run, will actually look like this—

“powercfg -requestsoverride PROCESS “yc.exe” SYSTEM”

However, it is worth noting that if the culprit seems to be originating from a software program that you’ve installed then, you need to uninstall it from the ‘Control Panel.’

Likewise, to know who prevented your Windows 10 laptop from going to sleep, you can run this command—

“powercfg –lastwake”

And, last but not least, to know all the devices that wake up your Computer from sleep, you need to run this command—

“powercfg -devicequery wake_armed”

As you run this command, you get to know about the devices that wake up your computer from sleep and then, you can just turn off that particular device to get rid of the encountered issue.

For instance, by running the above command, if you find out that ‘your computer wake up from sleep’ issue is originated from a ‘Network Adapter’ then, just follow the below-given steps to turn it off—

Step 1: Press ‘Windows Logo’ key to open Windows search box.
Step 2: Then, search ‘Device Manager’ using the Windows 10 search feature.
Step 3: From the search result, click on ‘Device Manager’ option to open it.

Step 4: Inside the same, expand the ‘Network adapters’ section.

Step 5: Next, you’ve to check under each of the options so that you can right-click on the ‘Network adapter’ option, which actually seems to be causing the issue.
Step 6: After that, select the ‘Properties’ option from the contextual menu that appears on the screen.

Step 7: Inside properties, click on the ‘Power Management’ tab to simply uncheck the box that reads— “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
Step 8: Upon doing so, select the ‘OK’ button for each network card.

This way, maybe the encountered “Windows 10 Sleep Mode Not Working” error gets resolved. However, if not then, other given solutions are waiting ahead for you to try them!

Solution 3: Disable Wake Timers & Scheduled Tasks

Scheduled tasks and wake timers are also the possible reasons that can wake your PC and won’t let it remain in sleep mode. For instance, if an antivirus app schedules a scan then, it can set a wake timer to wake your computer at a specific time for scanning.

So, in order to stop wake timers from waking up your PC, what simply you can do is disable it via performing these steps—

Step 1: To disable wake timers, first press ‘Windows + R’ hotkeys together and open ‘Windows Run Dialogue Box.’

Step 2: In the run dialog box, paste this “control.exe powercfg.cpl,,3” path to simply open the ‘Power Options.’

Step 3: Inside power options, locate the ‘Sleep’ option and double-click on the same to expand it.

Step 4: Now, you’ve to double-click on ‘Allow Wake Timers’ to choose the ‘Disable’ option for the same.

[Note: If you’ve a laptop then, make sure to disable it for both “On Battery” and “Plugged in” options.]

Solution 4: Allow Computer to Sleep Using Power Options

If the issue still continues then, what next you can do is ensure whether the “Basic Power Settings” are set to –“Default” (that allows your PC to sleep) or not! It is necessary to check because the third-party software like the Drivers and Software installed in your Windows 10 PC mess with the basic ‘Power’ settings and give birth to issues like you’re currently encountering, i.e., “Sleep mode not working in Windows 10.”

With that said, here are the steps to check and (if needed) change the ‘Basic Power Settings to Default’—

Step 1: In Windows 10 search box, type ‘Edit Power Plan’ and hit the ‘Enter’ button.

Step 2: Then, click on ‘Edit Power Plan Icon’ that appears in the search result.

Step 3: In doing so, a new window will open in front of you and inside the same; all you need to do is click on the ‘Change Advanced Power Settings’ option.

Step 4: Now, click the ‘Restore Plan Defaults’ option from the new ‘Power Options’ window that opens in front of you, and this action should toggle all items to where sleeping is allowed in Windows 10.

Alternatively, you can—

Step 1: Expand the ‘Multimedia Settings’ option in the Power Options window only.

Step 2: Following that, expand the ‘When Sharing Media’ option also.

Step 3: Inside it, you have to select the “Allow the computer to sleep” option if it was set to “Prevent idling to sleep.”

[Note: Like above said, if you’re using a laptop then, instead of one you’ll get two options, and you’ve to select “Allow the computer to sleep from the drop-down” for both ‘On battery’ and ‘Plugged’ in options.]

Step 4: In the end, when you finish doing these changes, click the ‘Ok’ button to apply the changed settings.

Now, what you’ve to do is check whether you’re able to put your Windows 10 PC/ Laptop to sleep or not. If not, then move on to try the next solution.

Solution 5: Disable Fast Startup for Older PC/Laptop System

As per this method, you need to disable the “Fast Startup” – which is quite a new and useful feature in Windows 10. In Fast Startup, the computer system saves an image of loaded drivers and kernels in C:\hiberfil.sys file. So, when you restart your computer, Fast Startup resumes these directly from the hiberfil.sys file to help your computer to restart faster.

However, in case of an older PC / Laptop, the Fast Startup feature can mess up with the shutdown/boot up process for not being fully-compatible and may cause the sleep issues that you’re currently experiencing!

So, having in mind that your Windows 10 computer will not wake up from sleep mode until and unless the Fast Startup continues messing up with the shutdown/boot up process; it is suggested that you temporarily turn off the Fast Startup feature via following these steps—

Step 1: On your keyboard, press the ‘Windows logo +R’ keys together to open the ‘Windows Run Dialog Box.’

Step 2: Inside that box, type “powercfg.cpl” and just click on the ‘OK’ button. In doing so, the Power Options window will open in front of you.

Step 3: On the Power Options window, look at the left-hand side and locate the ‘Choose what the power buttons do’ option to click on the same.

Step 4: After that, click on the ‘Change settings that are currently unavailable’ option

Step 5: Now, verify whether the “Turn on fast startup (Recommended)” box is unchecked or not. If not, uncheck the same checkbox and then, click on ‘Save’ changes.

Upon doing so, check to see if your Windows 10 computer wakes up issue is resolved or not yet!

Solution 6: Disable Screensaver

According to this solution, what you need to do is disable the “Screensaver” with the below given simple steps and then, check whether this would be able to help you fix the given “Computer won’t go to Sleep” issue or not!

Step 1: Press ‘Windows Logo key’ and open ‘Windows 10 Search Box.’

Step 2: Using it, search for ‘Change Screen Saver’ option.

Step 3: Then, select the ‘Change Screen Saver’ app from the available search result to open it.

Step 4: Now, inside the app, select ‘None’ from the Screensaver’s dropdown list and hit the ‘OK’ button.

Solution 7: Disable Hybrid Mode

This lined up solution requires you to disable “Hybrid Mode” which is a combination of ‘Hibernation’ and ‘Sleep Modes.’ Wondering why you need to disable it? Well, because if the Hybrid Mode is left “ON” then, it may cause your Windows 10 PC to not sleep. So, considering that, you must go to the ‘Power Options’ window and check whether the Hybrid mode is ‘ON or OFF’ and if it is ‘ON’ then, turn it off to fix the Windows 10 not sleeping issue.

Step 1: Press ‘Win +R’ hotkeys together to open the ‘Windows Run Dialog Box.’
Step 2: Inside it, type “powercfg.cpl” and hit the ‘OK’ button to open the Power Options window.

Step 3: From there, open the ‘Advanced Power Option’ settings.

Step 4: Then, in its menu, look for the expandable option – “Sleep.”
Step 5: After that, in the Sleep menu, what you’ve to do is expand the ‘Allow hybrid sleep’ option.

Step 6: Now, from the option(s) available there in the drop-down menu, you’ve to simply click on “OFF.”
Step 7: Upon doing so, just click on the ‘OK’ button to apply the recently made changes in Hybrid Mode settings.

Now, give a quick restart to your Windows 10 PC and check if the Sleep Mode not working issue has been fixed or not!

Solution 8: Disconnect Peripheral Devices

Those who are still not able to resolve the encountered “Sleep Mode not working” issue need to know that even some peripheral devices that are connected to their respective Windows 10 PC can stop Windows 10 from going to sleep mode.

So, disconnecting and removing the externally connected peripheral devices like “Printer, External DVD, Scanner and Webcam” from your PC may help you to get rid of the Windows 10 not sleeping issue.

[Note: Avoid removing or disconnecting the essential devices like your “Mouse and Keyboard” because they’re generally not those external peripheral devices that cause this issue.]

Solution 9: Check Your Windows 10 Sleep Settings

You never know, the installed “Drivers and Software” might be interfering with the sleep mode by sending power requests to keep the system awake! So, if the above solutions won’t work in your case then, it is suggested that you check your Windows 10 computer’s sleep settings via following these steps—

Step 1: Open ‘Windows Run Dialog Box’ by pressing ‘Win + R’ hotkeys together.
Step 2: In that dialog box, type “powercfg.pl” and hit the ‘OK’ button.

Step 3: After that, from the left menu of the Power Options window that opens, click on ‘Choose when to turn off the display.’

Step 4: Now, check the power settings whether they are correct or not. If not, correct them and click on ‘Save Changes.’

If not, you’re suggested to correct the settings immediately. However, if the case is opposite then, try your hands on the rest of the solutions.

Solution 10: Prevent the Sensitive Mouse from Waking Your Machine

Though rarely but, if you have a sensitive mouse then, you’re likely to continue receiving this “Windows 10 sleep mode not working” issue because any sort of vibration near your Windows 10 PC can keep your system awake. So, having this in mind, you can try these steps to stop your sensitive mouse from waking your Windows 10 PC—

Step 1: Click on the ‘Windows Start button’ and type “Device” in its search box to open the ‘Device Manager’ window.

Step 2: In device manager, expand the ‘Mice and other pointing devices’ section and perform a right-click action on the ‘Mouse’ you’re using!

Step 3: Then, choose the ‘Properties’ option from the contextual menu that appears.

Step 4: After that, select the ‘Power Management’ tab from the properties window.
Step 5: Now, inside the Power management tab, uncheck the “Allow this device to wake the computer” box and hit the ‘OK’ button.

Upon doing so, if the issue gets resolved then well n good otherwise, consider the next solution.

Solution 11: Perform a Clean Boot

Like we’ve said earlier also, third-party software installed in your Windows 10 PC can act as a culprit why your machine is not able to sleep. So, considering that, we suggest you boot your PC in clean boot mode.

Wondering why? Well, because “Clean Booting” is an enhanced feature of the normal booting process and in clean boot mode, your computer works only with the essential Windows programs and services. It ensures that no third party software would start in the clean boot mode.

So, in order to avoid interference of the third-party software, you can perform a Clean Boot via following these steps—

Step 1: Begin by signing in to your Windows 10 computer as an administrator.
Step 2: Then, perform a right-click action on the ‘Windows Start button’ and click on ‘Search.’
Step 3: In the Windows search box, type “msconfig” and hit the ‘Enter’ button.
Step 4: Next, you’ve to select the ‘System Configuration’ option from the search result that appears.
Step 5: Inside System Configuration window, click on the ‘Services’ tab.

Step 6: From it, click on the ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ checkbox and hit the ‘Disable all’ option thereafter.

Step 7: After doing so, click on the ‘Startup’ tab of System Configuration and open the ‘Task Manager’ section.

Step 8: Inside Startup in Task Manager, what you’ve to do is click on any ‘Startup program’ that you suspect might be interfering with your PC’s Sleep mode.
Step 9: Once you select the suspected startup program, click on the ‘Disable’ button and repeat steps 8 and 9 for all the suspected Startup programs.
Step 10: Now, close the ‘Task Manager’ section and click on the ‘OK’ button in the System Configuration window.

In the end, give a quick restart to your Windows 10 system and check if the issue has been resolved or not!

Solution 12: Use Power Troubleshooter

Even if the issue prevails then, being a Windows 10 user, you must be aware of the fact that Windows has an inbuilt “Troubleshooter” that is helpful in resolving issues of various types, right! So, in order to completely fix Windows 10 not sleeping issues, you can definitely give it a shot.

With that said, follow these steps and run the Windows Power Troubleshooter to fix the sleeping issue in Windows 10

Step 1: Open ‘Windows Settings’ by pressing ‘Win + I’ hotkeys together.
Step 2: Inside Windows Settings page, click on ‘Update and Security’ option.

Step 3: Then, locate the option of ‘Troubleshoot’ from the left menu and once you’re able to locate it, click on the same.
Step 4: Next, what you’ve to do is scroll down the page to click on the ‘Power’ option.
Step 5: After that, click on ‘Run the Troubleshooter’ from the expanded menu and just let the Windows Troubleshooter complete its operation.

Now, wait till the Troubleshooter finishes its operation and when done, you can check if the ‘Sleep’ option now works fine or not!

Nonetheless, if the Windows Power Troubleshooter didn’t fix the Windows 10 Sleeping issue or wasn’t able to detect any issue, then head towards the last solution.

Solution 13: Check System Drivers & Update Your Windows 10 PC

The reason why none of the above solutions are able to help you fix the discussed issue is that your hardware has an incompatible driver, and maybe that’s why your Windows 10 system can’t go to Sleep Mode. So, you never know, checking your important “chipset, network, audio and BIOS” drivers and ensuring that they’re running on the correct and latest version may resolve this issue.

To do so, you can download the “DriverView Utility” and with the help of the same, you can check how recent each of your system drivers is! Basically, you can check the –

Installation Date
Version Number
Created or Modified Date &
The Digital Signature of the Drivers, etc.

After you finish identifying the versions of your respective system drivers, if needed you can update the drivers via two ways, i.e., either “Manually” or “Automatically.”

To “Manually update the driver”— you need to first visit the manufacturer website then, find the right drivers corresponding with your specific Windows 10 version and after that, you’ll be able to download the driver manually.

To “Automatically update the driver”— you need to open Settings then, navigate to the ‘Update & Security’ section and to Windows Update. There, click on ‘View Optional Updates’ and choose a ‘Driver’ that you want to update. Now, Windows will automatically update your selected driver via Windows Update.

Besides that, Sleep Mode stops working when an optional update is waiting to be installed and/or when Windows automatically attempts to install the update overnight but fails.

So, this is also a recommended solution that you “open Window’s setting menu and navigate from Update & Security to Windows Update” and there, check for any pending update to download the same. Along with that, make sure that you’re running the latest version of your Windows 10 PC.

Bottom Line

That’s all! These are the couple of solutions that we’ve discussed in relation to the “Windows 10Sleep Mode Not Working” issue, and hopefully if you try them, you’ll be able to resolve this said issue.