How to fix Windows 10 sleep mode issue – Screen locking and sudden sleep mode activation

Fixing Windows 10 Sleep Mode Activation Issues

Upgrading to Windows 10 can be an exciting endeavor, unlocking improved performance, features and security for your device. However, some users have reported frustrating issues with Windows 10 randomly activating sleep mode during use. Let’s examine some potential solutions to resolve this problem.

Adjusting Power Settings

One of the first troubleshooting steps should be verifying your power settings. Open the Control Panel and navigate to Power Options under System and Security. Select "Change what the power buttons do" and validate that sleep mode is enabled, not lock screen.

You can also customize when to turn the display off under each power plan. Setting this to "Never" prevents the screen from turning off during active use. The Power Options troubleshooter is another handy tool to identify and fix power configuration issues automatically.

How do I set a sleep time on Windows 10?

Step 1: Press WIN + I on your keyboard to launch Settings. Step 2: Select System from the menu tiles. Step 3: Make sure you’re in the Power and Sleep tab. Then under the Sleep section, set the times for when your computer goes to sleep on battery and while plugged in (charging). Select Additional power settings on the right.

Can a computer sleep after Windows 1909 update?

Nope. After months of sleeping just fine under v1909, computer no longer sleeps after the update. Restored back to v1909 and all is well again. Kept the computer on 1909, installing all necessary updates to Windows as well as new device drivers. No issues at all, monitor power down and sleep both work.

Disabling Sleep Mode

If you want to completely prevent your Windows 10 device from sleeping, you can disable sleep mode altogether. Press Windows key + I to open Settings and choose System > Power & Sleep. Under the Sleep section, change both the "On battery" and "Plugged in" options to Never.

This will keep your computer awake indefinitely. Just be mindful that disabling sleep can lead to higher energy consumption and computer overheating over extended unused periods.

Adjusting Screensaver Settings

Take a look at your screensaver settings as well, as certain themes can inadvertently set short screensaver timeouts. Navigate to Personalization > Lock Screen > Screen Saver Settings and validate that the wait time before activating is set sufficiently long.

Uncheck the box for "On resume, display logon screen" to prevent needing to re-enter your password after waking from sleep.

Editing Registry Settings

For more advanced users, you can tweak registry sleep timers by navigating to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > Power in the Registry Editor. Look for values like UnattendedSleepTimeOut to extend sleep delays as needed.

Why is sleep mode not working in Windows 10?

Outdated Windows device drivers may be the reason to cause Sleep Mode Not Working in Windows 10. Updating Windows 10 to its latest version is something that it takes to update all the device drivers on your PC. After updating Windows 10, the sleep mode might work without any issue. Here’s a quick article that will tell you how to update Windows 10.

How to fix Windows 10 not sleeping?

If the Hybrid Mode is On, it may cause your PC to not sleep. To fix the Windows 10 not sleeping issue by disabling Hybrid Mode, here are the steps to follow: Step 1: Follow Step 1 to Step 3 from Method # 1. This will open the Advanced Power option settings. Step 2: In the menu, look for the expandable option Sleep.

How do I Make my Computer sleep on Windows 10?

Step 1: Go to Windows Settings , then System, and select Power and sleep. Next, click on Additional power settings on the right-hand pane. Step 2: Click Change when the computer sleeps. Step 3: Ensure that the ‘Put the computer to sleep’ options are not set to Never. If they are, change the duration by selecting a specific time.

Use caution when editing the registry and be sure to create a restore point beforehand.

Cleaning Up Startup Items

Sometimes background programs and services waking your computer can lead to inadvertent sleep activation. Use the Task Manager to review your Startup tab and disable any unnecessary items to streamline performance.

This can help isolate software conflicts triggering errant sleep mode.

Updating Drivers and Windows

Be sure to install the latest drivers for critical components like your graphics card, which can optimize power management. Keep Windows updated as well to benefit from ongoing performance and stability improvements.

Newer builds may resolve underlying OS bugs causing abnormal sleep behavior.

Performing Clean OS Reinstall

If you’ve exhausted other troubleshooting, completely reinstalling Windows 10 can wipe out any lingering issues. Be sure to fully backup your data first. Performing a clean install with deleted partitions allows for the most optimal Windows configuration.

Follow Microsoft’s guided tutorial for seamless removal of your old Windows environment and installation of the latest OS build.

How do I Stop my PC from going to sleep?

If hybrid mode is turned on, it could stop your PC from going to sleep. Step 1: Click on Start and select Settings. Step 2: Select System from the menu tiles. Step 3: Switch to the Power & Sleep tab, then select Additional power settings on the top right corner.

Why is my computer not going to sleep?

It turns off your computer’s monitor and hard drive, slowing down power consumption in the process. But your PC might refuse to go to sleep sometimes. This could be due to peripheral devices and errors in power settings. If you’re currently unable to put your computer to sleep, you’ve come to the right place.

How do I Turn Off screen & sleep on Windows 11?

To adjust power and sleep settings in Windows 11, select Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep. Screen: Select how long you want your device to wait before turning the screen off when you’re not using your device. Sleep: Select how long you want your device to wait before going to sleep when you’re not using it.

The Path to Better Sleep

With some targeted tweaking of your settings and environment, you can get your Windows 10 device sleeping soundly once again. Pay special attention to your power configuration, startup items, drivers and Windows version – adjusting these areas can remediate most errant sleep behaviors. Don’t hesitate to perform a full clean reinstall if problems persist.

What tips have helped resolve your Windows sleep issues? Share your experiences below to help fellow readers sleep easier. Let us know if you need any clarification implementing these suggestions. We look forward to hearing about your solution success!

References

1. https://www.isunshare.com/windows-10/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-going-into-sleep-mode-randomly.html
2. https://superuser.com/questions/1662597/prevent-windows-10-from-going-to-sleep-on-lock-screen

How to allow a computer to sleep on Windows 10?

Here, for both On battery and Plugged in options, select Allow the computer to sleep from the drop-down. Note: You will not get two options in the When sharing media menu if you are using a PC. You will get just one option. In it, select the Allow the computer to sleep option. After applying changes, click on Ok to apply the settings.

Why does Windows 10 not sleep?

You can follow a few methods to get around the issue when Windows 10 won’t sleep. These methods include ensuring sleep mode is enabled and that the power settings are configured properly. Also, before you get started, it’s worth checking your BIOS settings to make sure your PC is enabled for suspend or sleep mode.