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hauckeye

(721 posts)
Wed Mar 27, 2024, 06:01 PM Mar 2024

Windows 11 PC sometimes won't 'wake up' from sleep mode

I recently bought a new Dell Windows 11 desktop. I usually turn it on in the morning, shut down at night and when I'm not using it, it goes into sleep mode. I wake it up by hitting the space bar and moving the mouse. However, occasionally, it won't wake up. Then I have to hold the power button in until it shuts down and then turn it back on. Then I see a message about Windows not loading correctly. I click restart and it boots up just fine. Any ideas on why it sometimes won't "wake up" and how to fix it?

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Windows 11 PC sometimes won't 'wake up' from sleep mode (Original Post) hauckeye Mar 2024 OP
In the power settings I usually set the monitor screen to go off after 10 minutes LuvLoogie Mar 2024 #1
My Lenovo does the same thing occasionally, but without the message MichMan Mar 2024 #2
IMO sleep mode canetoad Mar 2024 #3
I had the same problem on my husband's old laptop. LeftInTX Apr 2024 #4
Most of the time a driver will fix this. Gore1FL May 2024 #5

LuvLoogie

(7,543 posts)
1. In the power settings I usually set the monitor screen to go off after 10 minutes
Wed Mar 27, 2024, 06:11 PM
Mar 2024

The PC is set to never.

canetoad

(18,122 posts)
3. IMO sleep mode
Wed Mar 27, 2024, 06:42 PM
Mar 2024

Is a real PTA. Keep in mind that apart from Windows, you may have a load of programs running in the background - Office, Acrobat updater, Skype, various virus thingies - to name a few. These all have to shut down then restart themselves without incidents whenever you enter/leave sleep mode.

If your laptop is new, there is likely a pile of stuff running that you wouldn't even suspect, so it may be worthwhile having a look at that and uninstalling stuff you'll never use and turning off 'Run at Startup' for the rest.

My last two desktop computers ran almost continuously for ten and twelve years respectively. They were only ever shutdown when a restart was required and neither had sleep mode activated. Sure - shut down monitors, speakers and other stuff but you might find your computer is a lot more reliable without sleep mode.

LeftInTX

(29,998 posts)
4. I had the same problem on my husband's old laptop.
Sat Apr 6, 2024, 07:45 AM
Apr 2024

I somehow disabled sleep mode and it went away.

His computer runs barebone programs.

Gore1FL

(21,883 posts)
5. Most of the time a driver will fix this.
Tue May 14, 2024, 07:49 PM
May 2024

Because it is a dell laptop, run their Support Assist app (probably as administrator.)

If it isn't on your device, go here https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us?app=drivers and look under "About Dell Drivers" for the steps.

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