Alienware laptops are known for their superior build quality and performance. That said, they still run the same Windows operating system as most other laptops on the market, and that makes them prone to random bugs and glitches from time to time.

In this article, we’re looking at a problem where your Alienware laptop’s lights don’t turn off during sleep or automatically turn back on when the laptop’s sleeping and giving you 10 ways to solve the problem.

Also read: Windows error 0xc8000442: 6 Fixes

Enable Sleep Mode manually

First up, check if Sleep Mode is activated on your computer. Here’s how.

Step 1: Press the Windows Key + I to open Windows Settings. Head over to Power under the System tab.

Step 2: Click on Screen and sleep and select a specific time to send your computer to sleep.

Configure lid controls

Windows has special controls for what happens when you leave your laptop unattended, close the lid or press the power or sleep button. You can customise these controls according to your liking, which can also fix the problem. Here’s how.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Control Panel. Click the corresponding search result.

Step 2: Click Power Options.

Step 3: Click Choose what closing the lid does from the options on the left.

Step 4: Here, you’ll be able to set the following controls for when your laptop is running on battery power or is plugged into a wall socket.

Do Nothing: Nothing happens when you close the lid and the laptop functions as usual.

Sleep: Laptop enters sleep mode when the lid is closed. This is, more often than not, the default setting.
Hibernate: Laptop hibernates when you close the lid.
Shut Down: Laptop shuts down when you close the lid.

Step 5: Click the Save Changes button when you’re done.

Your laptop should go to sleep as soon as you close the lid.

Also read: Apex Legends no servers found: 13 Fixes

Update Alienware Command Center

There’s a good chance that the lighting issue is because Alienware’s Command Center, responsible for controlling all RGB on your laptop, is malfunctioning. Updating Command Center or even reinstalling it can help resolve the issue.

Disconnect peripherals

Check to see if any connected peripherals might be keeping your computer awake. Active peripherals like cameras, printers and scanners can keep your computer from going to sleep. Try removing any such peripherals and see if that solves the issue.

Disable the Wake timer

Wake timers are timed events that can wake your computer from sleep. You can try disabling this feature to see if that lets your computer sleep in peace.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Power Plans. Click the corresponding search result.

Step 2: Click Change advanced power plan settings.

Step 3: Under Sleep, expand Allow wake timers and ensure it’s set to Disabled.

Enable Hibernation

Hibernation is the middle ground between putting your computer to sleep and shutting it down entirely. It saves your PC’s current state to the hard disk and shuts it down so you can resume where you left off without waiting for your PC to boot up completely.

Disable fast startup

Fast Startup is known to cause a bunch of problems with Windows sleep, hibernation and the secure boot features. Try disabling fast startup to see if that solves the issue.

Check out our detailed guide on how to disable fast startup here.

Disable your screensaver

Your screensaver can also keep your computer from going to sleep as it keeps your PC active. Here’s how to disable screensavers.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Screen Savers. Click the corresponding search result.

Step 2: In the Screen saver drop-down, select (none) and click Apply.

Your computer should be able to go to sleep mode now.

Run the Windows Power Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has many handy troubleshooters you can use to resolve such problems. In this case, running the power troubleshooter should help.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Troubleshoot other problems. Click the corresponding search result.

Step 2: Scroll down and run the Power troubleshooter.

Now sit back and let the troubleshooter do its thing.

Remove the CMOS battery

If all the settings are correct and your computer still won’t go to sleep, the issue might lie with your CMOS battery. Try removing it for about 15 minutes and see if that makes a difference. If not, change the CMOS battery entirely and give it another go.

Alienware laptop lights on during sleep: 10 Fixes