Windows' sleep mode helps save energy by putting your computer in a low-power state when you are not in use. But what if your computer goes to sleep frequently when you don't want it to go to sleep? This guide lists effective ways to solve this problem.

Table of contents

• Why does this happen?
• 1. Run the power supply troubleshooter
• 2. Check your power settings
• 3. Remove laptop battery
• 4. Disable screen saver
• 5. Using Windows Default Theme
• 6. Modify sleep timeout through registry
• 7. Disable Quick Start
• 8. Using the Projection Menu
• 9. Check the compatibility of accessories
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this happen?

Several factors can cause sleep problems on Windows. Therefore, you need to follow the instructions below one by one until the problem is resolved. The main reasons for this are as follows:

1. Setting Error - Your computer has various power settings that you can adjust according to priority. If you accidentally misconfigure these settings, they can cause your computer to behave abnormally.
2. Graphics Driver Expired - Users must keep all system drivers updated, including graphics software. Outdated graphics drivers may turn off your screen, causing you to mistakenly think that your computer is going to sleep frequently.
3. Screensaver Configuration - Sometimes when you change the theme in Windows, the screensaver settings change without your knowledge, resulting in a shorter timeout.
4. Battery Problem - Failed power components, including batteries, may trigger unnecessary settings such as going to sleep mode when the computer is idle.

Before applying the fix below, make sure you have updated your Windows PC to the latest available version.

1. Run the power supply troubleshooter

The first thing you try is to run the built-in power troubleshooter, which scans various parts of the operating system and fixes detected issues.

1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Settings.

2. Click "System->Troubleshooting".

3. Select "Other Troubleshooter" on the next page.

4. Scroll to the Power option and click Run.

5. Wait for the process to complete. If the troubleshooter makes suggestions, press Apply Repair.

Tip : Continue reading to learn more about multiple hidden Windows 11 features for power users.

2. Check your power settings

Windows comes with adjustable power settings. However, if you accidentally set up your computer to sleep after a short period of time, your device will continue to do so when you do not expect it.

1. Click the Start menu, enter Control Panel, and press Enter .

2. Enter "Power Options" in the search bar and open the result that appears.

3. Select the option "Select turn off display time" on the left.

4. Change all settings to Never and click Save Changes.

3. Remove laptop battery

If your device goes to sleep frequently while using the battery, try removing the battery according to the manufacturer's instructions (if the notebook supports this). You can reinstall it and test if the problem is resolved. For notebooks that do not have removable batteries, you may need to contact a technical assistant to replace the battery and check for further issues.

4. Disable screen saver

Previously, screen savers helped prevent damage to old displays, but they no longer played such an important role. Your screen saver settings may actually be what causes your computer to go to sleep prematurely. Follow these steps to resolve this issue:

1. Click the Start menu, enter Control Panel, and press Enter .
2. Enter "Open or close screen saver" in the search bar and open the result that appears.

3. Select "None" from the drop-down menu and click "Apply -> OK".

Worth mentioning : Check out these beautiful 4K backgrounds to add color to your Windows PC.

5. Using Windows Default Theme

Windows comes with multiple themes that allow you to customize the appearance of your computer. However, it is best to switch back to the default theme to make sure you don't have any unwanted problems.

1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Settings.

2. Navigate to Personalization and open Theme.

3. Click on the default Windows theme to activate it.

4. If this does not solve the problem, please proceed to the next method.

5. Modify sleep timeout through registry

If nothing has worked so far, try changing your PC system is not monitoring the sleep timeout period. This option is hidden by default, so you need to add it through the registry editor.

1. Press Windows R to open the run.
2. Enter regedit and select OK.

3. Confirm the “User Account Control” prompt.

4. Paste the following address into the navigation bar and double-click Properties:

 <code>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\238C9FA8-0AAD-41ED-83F4-97BE242C8F20\7bc4a2f9-d8fc-4469-b07b-33eb785aaca0</code>

5. Change "Value Data" to 2, click "OK" and close the Registry Editor.

6. Click the Start menu, enter "Control Panel", and open the result that appears.

7. Enter "Power Options" in the search bar and open the result that appears.

8. In the following window, select Change Plan Settings.

9. Opens the Change Advanced Power Settings window.

10. Expand the Sleep tab, change the System Not Monitored Sleep Timeout value to a longer time, and then click Apply -> OK.

Tip : SysMain is a system process that can reduce your Windows startup time. Fortunately, it is safe to disable it.

7. Disable Quick Start

Windows Quick Start is a feature that enables faster startup by hibernating your files. Disabling this feature can help solve the problem of frequent sleep in your computer.

1. Click the Start menu, enter Control Panel, and press Enter .
2. Enter "Power Options" in the search bar and open the result that appears.

3. Select the "Select the function of the power button" option on the left.

4. Click the "Change settings currently unavailable" link.

5. Uncheck "Enable Quick Start (recommended)" and click "Save Changes".

8. Using the Projection Menu

If you only encounter this problem when your PC is connected to an external TV source, you can call up the projection menu and try to change the projection mode.

1. Press the Windows P key.
2. Change the projection option to Extended or Second Screen Only.

9. Check the compatibility of accessories

Incompatible hardware can cause various problems, including random sleep in the computer. In this regard, it is crucial to keep all drivers updated and uninstall incompatible devices to improve the overall state of the device.

1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.

2. Expand the device branch you want to check, right-click it, and select Properties.

3. If the status says "This device works properly", there is no problem with the hardware.

4. If additional information is displayed, try uninstalling the hardware to resolve the issue.

It's worth mentioning : Learn how to install unsigned drivers in Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep my computer active without changing the settings?

You can use third-party software such as Mouse Jiggler or Caffeine to keep your computer active. These programs prevent the device from going to sleep by simulating mouse movement or key presses. While this approach does not solve the problem, it is an easy way to bypass the problem.

Can I disable sleep mode completely?

The BIOS allows users to adjust advanced configurations, including power settings on their PC. Restart the computer, press the BIOS key set by the manufacturer, navigate to Power Management, and use the arrow buttons on the keyboard to select "Block Sleep".

Or, use the command line to achieve the same effect. Right-click the startup menu and select "Windows Terminal (Administrator)", enter powercfg.exe /hibernate off, and press Enter .

What is the difference between sleep mode and shutdown in Windows?

When you restart the PC, the RAM will be cleared and the Windows system files will be checked again. However, when the PC goes to sleep, it simply turns off the screen and then keeps the disk drive in its current state. If you want to know which one is better, check out our sleep mode vs shutdown comparison.

Image source: Pexels. All screenshots were taken by Farhad Pashaei .

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