The Computer Won’t Wake Up From Sleep on Windows 11: How to Fix the Issue?

Summary: “Computer won’t wake up from sleep on Windows 11” is a common and addressable issue. In this article, we will help you understand why it happens and how to fix it. We will also discuss data recovery software which you can use in case the issue leads to data loss.

When you find out that your Windows 11 won’t wake up from sleep, it can be frustrating.

The good part, however, is that the issue can be fixed.

Table of Content:

• What to do When Windows 11 Won’t Wake From Sleep?
• Reasons Why Your Computer Won’t Wake up From Sleep on Windows 11
• 6 Ways to Fix the issue behind your Computer Not Waking up from Sleep on Windows 11
• Additional tips and best practices to avoid the computer won’t wake up from sleep on Windows 11 issue
• How To Recover Lost Data With Data Recovery Software?

What to do When Windows 11 Won’t Wake From Sleep?

Say your Bluetooth mouse or keyboard has run out of battery.

Or your USB mouse or keyboard is not connected properly.

Or maybe your trackpad or keyboard isn’t functioning.

These would explain why your computer isn’t responding and not waking up from sleep. 

So your first step would be to ensure that your mouse and keyboard are working properly.

Ruled out any hardware issues, yet your computer won’t wake up from sleep on Windows 11? 

Read on.

If your Windows 11 won’t wake up from sleep mode, you can’t access any settings. Thus, no fixes can be applied. 

That’s why you have to hard reboot your device. 

This isn’t a recommended solution in general, but in some situations, it is the only thing you can do.

Also Read: How to Fix Blank White Screen of Death on Windows 11/10?

• To hard restart your device, press the power button for some time (Between 5 to 25 seconds). 
• Once the device has shut down, wait for 2 minutes before turning it on normally. 

Note: This might cause any unsaved work to be lost.

Once your device is turned on, try the fixes mentioned below to avoid the issue from happening again.

Before that, let us understand what might cause your Windows 11 device to not wake up from sleep.

Also Read: Windows 11 PC Keeps Crashing

Reasons Why Your Computer Won’t Wake up From Sleep on Windows 11

Some of the reasons why you might face the issue include:

• Outdated drivers or drivers incompatible with your device may not support sleep-wake cycles properly, causing issues when trying to wake up.
• Incorrect power settings can lead to the system not responding as expected when waking from sleep.
• The Fast Startup feature might conflict with the wake-up process, leading to issues.
• Outdated software might have sleep-related issues that updates can resolve.
• Conflicts between background software processes can interfere with the wake-up process.
• Outdated or misconfigured BIOS/UEFI settings can cause compatibility problems with sleep mode.
• Connected devices may have driver conflicts or power issues that disrupt the sleep cycle.
• The hybrid sleep feature might not work well with certain systems, causing sleep-related problems. 

Also Read: How to Fix the Pink Screen of Death on Windows 11?

6 Ways to Fix the issue behind your Computer Not Waking up from Sleep on Windows 11

Method 1: Allow your keyboard & mouse to wake up your PC

Your computer may not wake up if it’s not configured to respond to keyboard/mouse inputs. 

Enabling the keyboard and mouse to wake up your PC ensures that you can trigger the wake-up process. 

1: Press Win + X and select “Device Manager.”

2: Locate and expand the “Keyboards” section.

3: Right-click on your keyboard and select “Properties”.

4: Go to the “Power Management” tab.

5: Check the box that says “Allow this device to wake the computer.”

6: Click “OK” 

Repeat the process for “Mice and other pointing devices”.

Method 2: Update the keyboard & mouse drivers

Outdated/incompatible drivers can interfere with the waking up process from sleep mode.

Updating the drivers ensures that your input devices wake your computer from sleep. 

1: Open “Device Manager” (Press Win + X and select “Device Manager”).

2: Locate and expand the “Mice and other pointing devices” sections.

3: Right-click on your mouse.

4: Select “Update driver” and choose “Search automatically” for updated driver software.

5: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver update process.

Repeat the process for “Keyboards”.

Method 3: Use Windows Troubleshooter

Windows Troubleshooter is designed to identify and automatically resolve various power-related problems. This makes it an efficient tool for addressing issues like computer won’t wake up from sleep on Windows 11.

1: Open “Settings” (Win + I) and go to “System”.

2: Select “Troubleshoot” from the left sidebar.

3: Click on “Additional troubleshooters.”

4: Find and run the “Power” troubleshooter.

5: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

Method 4: Adjust power settings

Adjusting power settings ensures that your system is configured correctly for sleep mode.

1: Open “Control Panel” and go to “Power Options.”

2: Click on “Change plan settings” next to your selected power plan.

Step 3: Choose “Change advanced power settings.”

Step 4: In the “Power Options” window, navigate to “Sleep” and adjust the settings to your preferences.

5: Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Method 5: Turn off Fast Startup- Computer Not Waking Up From Sleep

The Fast Startup feature sometimes interferes with the wake-up process.

Disabling Fast Startup allows for a clean start. This can potentially resolve the computer won’t wake up from sleep on Windows 11 issue.

1: Open “Control Panel” and go to “Power Options.”

2: Click on “Choose what the power buttons do” from the left sidebar.

3: Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”

4: Uncheck the box that says “Turn on fast startup.”

5: Click “Save changes” to apply the modification.

Method 6: Reset BIOS settings

Incorrect/outdated BIOS can impact the computer’s ability to enter or exit sleep mode. Resetting BIOS can help fix the computer won’t wake up from sleep on Windows 11 issue.

1: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing Del, F2, or Esc during startup).

2: Locate the option to “Load Setup Defaults” or “Reset to Default.”

3: Confirm the action and save changes before exiting the BIOS.

4: Restart your computer and check if the sleep mode issue is resolved.

If all else fails, contact Windows Support

Tried the methods above and the issue still persists? Seek assistance from Windows Support. 

Remember: Provide detailed information about your system and the steps you’ve already taken.

Also Read: How to fix ‘Unexpected Error: Changes to Data Can’t Be Saved” in Windows 11?

Additional tips and best practices to avoid the computer won’t wake up from sleep on Windows 11 issue

• Keep your Windows 11 operating system and drivers up to date. 
• Periodically check for unnecessary or outdated applications. 
• Uninstall programs that are no longer needed. They may be contributing to conflicts with sleep mode.
• Regularly visit your computer manufacturer’s website to check for BIOS/UEFI updates. Updated firmware can resolve compatibility issues and improve system performance.
• Reduce the number of programs that launch at startup. Too many startup programs can slow down your system and cause sleep mode issues.
• Some third-party utilities may interfere with power management. Investigate and uninstall unnecessary or potentially problematic utilities.

If you are facing the Windows 11 won’t wake from sleep issue and resorted to restarting the device, you might suffer data loss. 

In the absence of a backup, you will need to Download Free Data Recovery Software  to recover the lost data. 

How To Recover Lost Data With Data Recovery Software?

If you have lost data while restarting your device that won’t wake up from sleep, you can use Stellar Data Recovery Software.

It is a powerful and user-friendly tool. Over 3 million people across 190+ countries have placed their trust in it. Some of its key features include:

1. You can preview the files before you recover them. This means you don’t have to pay for the recovery unless you are 100% sure you will get the required files back. 
2. Stellar uses advanced deep scanning algorithms, which results in higher chances of getting your data back.
3. If you are looking to only recover specific files, you can choose and recover specific files using file names and file types.

Also Read: Best Methods to Find Lost or Missing Files on Windows 10/11

FAQs

1. Does “Computer won’t wake up from sleep on Windows 11” cause data loss?

No, the issue itself doesn’t typically cause data loss. However, forced shutdowns to resolve the problem can cause data loss. This is where Stellar Data Recovery Windows software comes in handy.

Also Read: Get Stellar Data Recovery Activation Key

2. Is “Computer won’t wake up from sleep in Windows 11” a software or hardware issue?

The issue can be caused by both software and hardware factors. Commonly, it’s related to software aspects. (Examples include: outdated drivers, power settings, or conflicts with applications.) However, hardware issues can also contribute to the problem. (Examples include: faulty components or incompatible devices)

3. How to wake up Windows 11 from sleep remotely?

To wake up Windows 11 from sleep remotely, you can use Wake-on-LAN (WoL) technology. Ensure that your motherboard and network adapter support WoL. Then configure the BIOS/UEFI settings and network adapter settings accordingly. Use a WoL tool or app to send a magic packet to the sleeping computer’s MAC address.

4. Do these ways to wake up a computer from sleep also work for Windows 10 or lower versions?

Yes, the methods to wake up a computer from sleep are applicable to Windows 10 and some earlier versions. The specific steps might vary slightly based on the operating system though.

Also Read: How to Evaluate Free Data Recovery Software for Windows 11?