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Windows 11 won’t sleep: Quick Fix

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  • 5 min read

Windows 11 is Microsoft’s latest jab at its flagship operating system. While there are a lot of improvements over Windows 10 here, it isn’t exactly a perfect product yet.

In this article, we’re looking at a few fixes you can try out if your Windows 11 PC isn’t going to sleep. 

Also read: SSD unable to initialise: 4 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. 

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

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

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

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 Windows 11 won’t sleep issue.

Also read; How to fix compile error in hidden module in Excel?


Edit power plan settings

Power Plan settings can also send your computer to sleep based on user activity. 

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

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

Step 2: In the Put the computer to sleep dropdown, select a time duration for when your PC is plugged in or on battery power. 

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

Disable Hybrid mode

Hybrid mode is a combination of Sleep and Hibernation. It puts your computer to sleep while saving your use state to the hard disk. Here’s how you can disable it in Windows 11. 

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

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

Step 2: Click Change advanced power plan settings.

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

Step 3: Under Sleep, expand Allow hybrid sleep and ensure that both On battery and Plugged in are set to Off. 

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

Also read: How to change mouse colour on Windows 11?


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. 

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

Step 2: Click Change advanced power plan settings.

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

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

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

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 Windows 11 won’t sleep 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. 

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

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

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

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

Also read: Can’t play Valorant on Windows 11: 6 Fixes


Close active Edge tabs

If you’ve got Edge tabs running in the background, chances are your computer won’t be able to go to sleep. Open up Task Manager and under the Processes tab, find and close all open Edge tabs by right-clicking them and selecting End task. 


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. 


Run the Windows Power Troubleshooter

Windows 11 comes with a bunch of 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. 

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

Step 2: Scroll down and run the Power troubleshooter.

Windows 11 won't sleep: 10 Fixes

Now sit back and let the troubleshooter do its thing. The Windows 11 won’t sleep issue should be resolved now.

Also read: How to change mouse colour on Windows 11? 

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah is a Computer Science graduate who writes/edits/shoots/codes all things cybersecurity, gaming, and tech hardware. When he's not, he streams himself racing virtual cars. He's been writing and reporting on tech and cybersecurity with websites like Candid.Technology and MakeUseOf since 2018. You can contact him here: yadullahabidi@pm.me.

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