Hibernate mode on Windows is a handy feature that lets you save your session, shut down your computer, and pick up your work exactly where you left off. Sometimes, though, your Windows PC may not go into hibernation when you tell it to, and it stays powered on instead.
If you run into the same problem, don't worry. Here are a few effective fixes that should get things working again quickly.
1. Run the Power Troubleshooter
Running the troubleshooter built into Windows is the most effective way to fix common system-level problems. In this case, you can run the Power Troubleshooter and see whether Hibernate starts working again. Here's how.
- Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
- Click Troubleshoot.
- Select Other troubleshooters.
- Click the Run button next to Power.
Let the troubleshooter scan your system for any problems and resolve them. Then try the Hibernate option again to see whether it works.
2. Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup is a useful feature that helps you avoid slow boot times on your Windows computer. However, it can sometimes interfere with Hibernate and cause problems. You can try turning it off to see if that helps.
3. Reset your power plan
If turning off Fast Startup doesn't work, there may be a problem with your current power plan settings. In that case, you can reset your power plan on Windows to its default settings and start fresh. To do so, follow these steps:
- Use any of the several methods to run Command Prompt with admin rights.
- Enter the following command in the console and press Enter.
powercfg -restoredefaultschemes
After completing the steps above, try using Hibernate again.
4. Try basic fixes for Hibernate problems on Windows
If the fixes above don't work, you can try some general Windows fixes to resolve Hibernate problems.
- Scan for malware: Malware can cause a variety of system problems, including the one discussed here. To rule this out, you can use the offline scan feature in Microsoft Defender to find and remove malicious software.
- Update your drivers: Outdated or incompatible device drivers can also keep Hibernate from working properly on Windows. So it's worth replacing outdated Windows drivers through Device Manager to see if that helps.
- Install Windows updates: Keeping your Windows PC up to date lets you benefit from the latest bug fixes and improvements. If the Hibernate problem stems from an operating system bug, installing Windows updates should help.
