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Resolving Problems with Sleep Mode (Windows Vista)

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This document applies to HP and Compaq desktop computers with Windows Vista.
Pressing the Sleep key on the keyboard or clicking the Sleep button from the Windows Vista start menu should cause the computer to enter a lower power state. In this state, the computer screen should go blank and the power light on the front of the computer should blink. This saves power while the computer is not in use.
To wake the computer, move the mouse, press the sleep button on the keyboard or press the power button on the front of the computer.
Figure 1: Sleep/Standby button in Windows Vista
Image of Sleep/Standby button
Figure 2: Sleep button on keyboard
Image of Sleep button on keyboard
If the computer wakes from sleep mode unexpectedly, if pressing the sleep button on the keyboard or clicking the Sleep/Standby button in the Start menu does not put the computer into a lower power state, or if pressing the sleep button on the keyboard does not wake the computer, use this document to help resolve the problem.
NOTE:If the sleep key on the keyboard fails to wake the computer, pressing the blinking power button on the front of the computer will usually work.

Step 1: Enabling the keyboard to wake the computer

Skip this step if the computer does not enter sleep mode or wakes unexpectedly.
If pressing the sleep button on the keyboard button does not wake the computer from sleep mode, it may be that the keyboard is not enabled to do so. Enable the keyboard as follows:
  1. Click Start , and then click Control Panel , Hardware and Sound , and then click Keyboard .
    A Keyboard Properties window opens.
  2. Click the Hardware tab, and then click Properties .
  3. Click Change Settings .
    The same Keyboard Properties window opens with more tabs available.
  4. Click the Power Management tab and make sure that Allow this device to wake the computer is selected.
    Figure 3: Selection to enable the keyboard to wake the computer
    Image of Power Management tab
  5. If "Allow this device to wake the computer" was not selected, select it and click OK . Test to make sure that the keyboard can now wake the computer. Continue using these steps if the computer still cannot wake from sleep mode.
    If "Allow this device to wake the computer" was already selected, continue using these steps.
    NOTE:To see if the keyboard supports sleep mode, click the Details tab from Keyboard properties, and select Power data from the Property drop-down. View the Power capabilities section to see exact function calls that are supported by the keyboard. If the keyboard cannot support a WAKE function, a connection problem exists or the device is incompatible.
    Figure 4: Power data details
    Image of Details tab

Step 2: Changing device settings

Does the computer seem to wake from sleep mode for no reason? Some device settings can cause the computer to return from a power savings state unexpectedly. Activity from devices such as Wireless Mouse, Network, or High Definition Audio can cause the computer to wake. Network activity can cause the network hardware to wake the computer, especially when the network is always on (like cable and DSL connections). Use the following steps to prevent hardware devices from waking the computer:
  1. Click Start , and then right-click Computer .
  2. Select Properties , and then click Device Manager in the left panel of the window.
  3. Click the plus sign (+ ) next to the device that needs to be adjusted. If you are using an optical mouse, select Mice and other pointing devices . If the computer is using an "always-on" connection, click Network Adapters . To check the high definition audio, click Sound, video, and game controllers .
  4. Double-click the name of the device to open a Properties window.
  5. Click the Power Management tab, and remove the selection from Allow this device to wake the computer .
    Figure 5: Power management tab for a mouse
    Image of Power Management tab
    NOTE:If you prevent the mouse from being able to wake the computer, wake the computer using the Sleep button on the keyboard or from the power button on the front of the computer.
  6. Click OK , close the windows that are open, and then restart the computer.
  7. Click Start , and select the Sleep/Standby button to check if the problem still exists:
    If the problem still exists, go to the next Step.
  8. Disconnect all non-essential connected devices (printers, scanners, USB drives).
  9. Restart the computer with only the original mouse, monitor, and keyboard connected.
    If this resolves the sleep/standby problem, one of the connected devices was causing the problem. Replace a device and test to see if the problem occurs again. Continue adding devices and testing until you find the device that is causing the problem.

Step 3: Use Microsoft System Restore

If sleep/standby mode previously worked, attempt a system restore back to a time when it worked. If the problem has always existed, skip this step.
To perform a System Restore:
  1. Save any open files and close all programs. Backup any important files.
  2. Click Start , type System Restore into the Search window and then press the Enter key.
  3. When the System Restore wizard opens, select Choose a different restore point , and then click Next .
  4. Select a date from the list when sleep/suspend mode was working correctly, and then click Next .
    Figure 6: Choosing a restore point
    Image of System Restore window
  5. Click Finish in the "Confirm your restore point" window.
  6. Click Yes in the confirmation message that opens.
  7. The computer shuts down and restarts automatically after the restoration completes.
    The Restoration Complete window appears.
    Figure 7: Success message
    Image of System Restore success message
  8. Click Start , and click the Sleep/Standby button to check if the problem still exists:
    If the problem still exists, go to the next Step.
    NOTE:If System Restore resolves the problem, the problem was probably caused by software that was installed after the restore point date.

Step 4: Disabling screen savers

Some screen savers can interfere with the computer’s ability to enter and resume from sleep/standby mode. Disabling or changing the screen saver may resolve the problem.
  1. Click Start , and then click Control Panel .
  2. Click Appearance and Personalization .
  3. Under Personalization, click Change screen saver .
  4. In the Screen saver section, select an alternate screen saver or set it to (None) and then click OK .
  5. Click Start , and select the Sleep/Standby button to check if the problem still exists:
    If the problem still exists, go to the next Step.

Step 5: Preventing startup programs from opening

Many software components start up automatically and run without being seen. Most of these programs are not necessary to the work performed on a computer, but can interfere with sleep/standby mode. For troubleshooting purposes use the following steps to prevent programs from starting when Windows is first opened.
  1. Click Start , and then type msconfig into the Search field and then press the Enter key.
    The System Configuration Utility appears.
  2. Click the General tab, select Selective startup , and then remove the selection from Load startup items .
    Figure 8: System Configuration
    Image of System Configuration window
  3. Click OK to accept the changes and restart the computer.
  4. Windows opens using Selective Startup. A small reminder may appear when Windows restarts. Select Don't show this dialog again and click OK to prevent the reminder from appearing every time the computer is restarted.
    NOTE: To undo the changes made in this process repeat the steps above and replace the checkmark next to Load startup items .
    For more information about how to prevent software from opening with Windows, refer to the HP support article Preventing Programs from Opening when Windows Vista Starts .
  5. Click Start , and select the Sleep/Standby button to check if the problem still exists:
    • If disabling Load startup items did not resolve the suspend problem, go to the next step.
    • If disabling Load startup items resolved the suspend problem, enable one startup item and test to see if the problem occurs again. Continue enabling startup items, until you find the software task that is causing the problem. Remove or update problem software.

Step 6: Changing the power settings

Power settings control the computer’s ability to go into and come out of sleep/standby mode. Do the following to change the power options so the computer can use sleep/standby mode correctly:
  1. Click Start , and then click Control Panel , System and Maintenance , and then click Power Options .
  2. Select Energy Star , Power saver , or High performance , and then click Change plan settings .
    • If you want the display and computer to stay on, change the settings to Never .
    • If you want to customize a power plan, click Change advanced power settings and make the selection on the screen.
    • If you want to restore default power settings, click Restore default settings for this plan .
  3. Click the Save changes button to accept the changes, and then restart the computer.
  4. Click Start , and select the Sleep/Standby button to check if the problem still exists:
  5. If the problem still exists, disable hybrid sleep:
    Use the steps in this section again to select High Performance from Power Options.
    Click Change plan settings , and then select Change Advanced Power Settings .
    Click the plus sign (+ ) next to Sleep.
    Click the plus sign (+ ) next to Allow hybrid sleep.
    Select Off from the drop-down menu.
    Click OK .
    Figure 9: Allow hybrid sleep
    Image of Power Options window
  6. Click Start , and select the Sleep/Standby button to check if the problem still exists. If the problem still exists, go to the next Step.

Step 7: Upgrading the BIOS and keyboard software

If the sleep button on the keyboard still does not work, go to the HP Software and Driver Download page , enter your computer model number into the field provided, and install any keyboard and BIOS updates for Windows Vista.

Related support

Microsoft support article 928135 A Windows Vista-based computer stops responding when you resume the computer from hibernation (in English).