Having problems where Microsoft Windows 10 won’t go into sleep mode? This tutorial will help you figure out the problem.
Fix 1 – Power Options
- Select the “Start” button, then select “Settings” (gear icon).
- Select “System“.
- Select “Power & sleep“.
- Ensure the “Sleep” setting is set to a desired value.
- Select “Additional power settings” in the right pane.
- Select “Change Plan Settings” next to the option that you have selected.
- Select “Change advanced power settings“.
- On the “Power Options” screen, you want to expand each setting and ensure that they allow the computer to go to sleep mode. In my case, the setting under “Multimedia settings” > “When sharing media” was set to “Prevent idling to sleep“. I had to set this to “Allow the computer to sleep“. If you’re feeling lazy, just hit the “Restore plan defaults” button and that should toggle all items to where sleeping is allowed in Windows 10.
Fix 2 – Sensitive Mouse
If you have a sensitive mouse, any vibration near your PC could be keeping your machine awake. Try these steps to prevent the mouse from waking your machine.
- Select the “Start” button, then type “device“.
- Open “Device Manager“.
- Expand the “Mice and other pointing devices” section.
- Right-click on the mouse you are using, then choose “Properties“.
- Select the “Power Management” tab.
- Uncheck the “Allow this device to wake the computer” box, then select “OK“.
Fix 3 – Network Adapters
These steps are the same as Fix 2, only you’re checking under “Network adapters”.
- Select the “Start” button, then type “device“.
- Open “Device Manager“.
- Expand the “Network adapters” section.
- Check under each of the options by right-clicking and selecting “Properties“.
- Uncheck the “Allow this device to wake the computer” box, then select “OK” for each network card.
If you still have problems with your Windows 10 computer sleeping, there may be a program that is constantly running on your PC that keeps it awake, or even worse, a virus. Use my Bible For Making Your Windows Computer Run Faster to gain control over what’s running on your PC.
GaryT says
I tried all of these and other suggestions and none of them worked. In the end my solution was to go back to the power management tab in the network card settings (in device manager) and put a tick in “Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer”. It also went to sleep with a tick in all three boxes but I haven’t left it for more than a minute to see if it wakes itself up (which it used to do) but at least it now goes to sleep,
Kevin says
I tried everything on this list and it didn’t work. If that happens to you, consider replacing your mouse. Even though it wasn’t moving, mine was constantly “on” and scanning the mouse pad. As soon as I replaced my mouse, everything started working as it’s supposed to. My old mouse was a Razer Ouroborus; new one is a Razer Mamba.
Eric Luczynski says
Thank you. Like most others in the list I was frustrated by on-all-the-time monitors even with the sleep time set to 15 minutes. Changing the multimedia setting worked.
Oliver says
Thanks that helped me very much! But i still got a problem, when i start the computer again after it has been in sleep mode the fans are running at high speed but then a few seconds later they are back at normal speed. It is not that big of a deal but any help is appreciated :)
Jin says
Thanks a lot for the tip! That saves me from troubles.
Bill says
MS support people should know these. I called them twice and both times it was a default to “re-install windows”.
Cosmin says
God bless you man :)). Fix 1 did the thing for me. I was desperate already :)). Many thanks
ed says
My computer hasn’t been falling to sleep or activiting the screen saver for some time now. Step 8 solved my problem. I would never have figured that out! Thanks!!
wiseson says
Your Fix 3 – Network Adapters resolved (now my desktop goes to hibernate/sleep!) my issue (i.e. desktop not going to hibernate/sleep).
From another site I learned to run CMD in Superuser mode: powercfg /lastwake
which revealed that my Network adapters (i.e. Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
was causing the wake!
Thank you.
Mahdi says
You have no idea how much hassle you have saved me after months, years even of this pesky little problem. I was on the verge of begining to start editing system files based on trial and error from thousands of theories on the internet. Thank you, kind stranger.
Julz says
OMG…this was a life saver!!! I often need my pc to sleep not hibernate or shut down, so when I started popping back on when I put it to sleep I thought I was gonna pull my hair out and scream. Your instructions were ssoooooo easy to understand & follow for a totally non-technical Grandma. I appreciate your help, thank you very much.