Ever found yourself staring at a black screen, wondering why your computer won’t wake up from sleep mode? Don’t worry — you’re not alone. Many Windows 11 users experience this issue at some point, and fortunately, it’s easy to fix.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through how to wake up Windows 11 from sleep, step by step. You’ll also learn why your PC sometimes refuses to wake, what you can do to prevent it, and how to adjust power settings for the best performance.
Whether you’re using a laptop, desktop, or Surface device, this guide will help you bring your system back to life quickly and safely.
🧭 Quick Summary: Key Takeaways
| Problem | Solution | Where to Check |
|---|---|---|
| PC not waking from sleep | Press power or keyboard key | Keyboard/mouse |
| Sleep mode issues | Adjust Power & Sleep settings | Windows Settings |
| Hardware unresponsive | Enable device wake permissions | Device Manager |
| Persistent sleep bugs | Update drivers or BIOS | Windows Update |
✅ Works for laptops, desktops, and tablets
✅ Covers keyboard, mouse, and power button wake options
✅ Includes troubleshooting tips for when sleep mode misbehaves
🌙 What Is Sleep Mode in Windows 11?
Sleep mode is a low-power state that allows your PC to pause everything while keeping your session active in memory. It’s like pausing a movie — your work is saved, and you can resume instantly.
Windows 11 uses several sleep-related modes:
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Sleep | Saves your session to RAM; resumes instantly. |
| Hibernate | Saves to disk; slower to resume but uses less power. |
| Hybrid Sleep | Mix of both, used mainly on desktops. |
| Modern Standby | Keeps background tasks running on newer laptops. |
💡 Pro Tip: Sleep mode is ideal when you’re stepping away for a short time — it saves energy while keeping your data safe.
💡 How to Wake Up Windows 11 from Sleep (Basic Methods)
Let’s start with the simplest ways to wake your computer.
1. Press Any Key on Your Keyboard
Most PCs allow you to wake the system by pressing any key, such as:
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Spacebar
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Enter
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Esc
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Power key
If this doesn’t work, your keyboard’s wake feature might be disabled (we’ll fix that later).
2. Move or Click Your Mouse
A small mouse movement or left-click should wake your screen if the feature is enabled.
If it doesn’t respond:
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Try reconnecting your mouse (especially if wireless).
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Test with a wired mouse to rule out battery issues.
3. Press the Power Button Briefly
Tap the power button once — don’t hold it down.
If your PC still doesn’t wake, press it again or hold it for 3–5 seconds to restart.
⚠️ Holding it too long will force a shutdown, which can cause unsaved data loss.
4. For Laptops: Open the Lid
Many Windows 11 laptops automatically wake when you lift the lid.
If that doesn’t happen, you may need to enable this feature in your Power Options (covered below).
⚙️ How to Adjust Sleep and Wake Settings in Windows 11
To ensure your system wakes properly, it’s best to check your power configuration.
Step 1: Open Power Settings
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Go to System → Power & battery.
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Under Power mode, choose Balanced or Best performance.
Step 2: Adjust Sleep Timer
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In Power & battery, expand Screen and sleep.
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Set your preferred time for:
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Screen turns off after
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PC goes to sleep after
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You can also set “Never” if you want to prevent sleep entirely.
Step 3: Enable Wake Timers
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Open Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options.
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Click Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings.
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Expand Sleep → Allow wake timers.
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Set it to Enable for both battery and plugged in.
💡 This ensures your system can wake for important tasks like Windows updates.
🧰 How to Allow Keyboard or Mouse to Wake the PC
If pressing keys or moving the mouse doesn’t work, Windows might be blocking those devices from waking your computer.
Step 1: Open Device Manager
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Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
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Expand Keyboards or Mice and other pointing devices.
Step 2: Enable Wake Function
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Right-click your keyboard → Properties.
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Go to the Power Management tab.
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Check the box for Allow this device to wake the computer.
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Repeat this for your mouse as well.
✅ After enabling this, your mouse and keyboard should wake your PC normally.
🖥️ How to Wake Up Windows 11 Remotely (Wake-on-LAN)
If you want to wake your PC from another device on the same network, use Wake-on-LAN (WOL).
Step 1: Enable Wake-on-LAN in BIOS
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Restart your PC.
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Press the BIOS key (usually F2, Del, or Esc).
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Go to the Power Management section.
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Enable Wake on LAN / Wake from PCI-E device.
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Save and exit BIOS.
Step 2: Enable It in Windows
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Open Device Manager → Expand Network adapters.
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Right-click your Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter → Properties.
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Under Power Management, check:
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Allow this device to wake the computer
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Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer
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Now you can wake your PC remotely using a WOL app on your phone or another PC.
🧠 Why Won’t My Windows 11 PC Wake from Sleep?
If your PC won’t wake up, here are the most common causes and how to fix them:
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Power settings misconfigured | Check sleep/wake timers |
| Keyboard/mouse wake disabled | Enable device wake permissions |
| Outdated drivers | Update display, chipset, and power drivers |
| Fast Startup conflicts | Disable Fast Startup |
| BIOS needs update | Install the latest BIOS version |
| USB selective suspend active | Disable in advanced power settings |
🧩 Fix 1: Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup can sometimes interfere with sleep wake behavior.
Steps:
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Open Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.
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Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
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Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
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Click Save changes, then restart.
🧩 Fix 2: Update Display and Chipset Drivers
Sleep/wake issues often come from outdated display or chipset drivers.
Steps:
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Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
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Expand:
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Display adapters
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System devices
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Right-click each → Update driver → Search automatically.
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Alternatively, visit your PC manufacturer’s website (e.g., Dell, HP, ASUS).
💡 Updating your GPU driver (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) can also fix display wake issues.
🧩 Fix 3: Disable USB Selective Suspend
This power-saving feature can prevent USB devices from waking your PC.
Steps:
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Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings → Advanced settings.
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Expand USB settings → USB selective suspend setting.
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Set it to Disabled for both battery and plugged in.
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Click Apply → OK.
🧩 Fix 4: Run Windows Power Troubleshooter
Let Windows automatically detect sleep/wake issues.
Steps:
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Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters.
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Find Power, then click Run.
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Follow the prompts to apply recommended fixes.
🧩 Fix 5: Check BIOS/UEFI Power Settings
If your system doesn’t wake at all:
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Reboot and enter BIOS (usually F2 or Del during startup).
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Look for ACPI or Power Management settings.
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Ensure Sleep states (S3, S4) and Wake devices are enabled.
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Save and exit.
🧴 Prevent Sleep Issues in the Future
Here’s how to keep your PC’s sleep mode healthy and reliable:
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🧠 Keep Windows updated – Microsoft often patches sleep bugs.
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🔌 Use original device drivers – Avoid generic drivers when possible.
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🔋 Don’t use aggressive power-saving modes on desktops.
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🕓 Restart your PC regularly – Sleep can bug out after long uptimes.
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💻 Avoid unplugging USB devices during sleep – It can confuse wake signals.
🧾 Comparison Table: Sleep vs Hibernate vs Shut Down
| Mode | Power Usage | Resume Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep | Low | Instant | Short breaks |
| Hibernate | Very low | Slow | Long idle periods |
| Shut Down | None | Full boot | Long-term power off |
🧩 How to Stop Windows 11 from Waking Up Randomly
If your PC wakes up on its own, here’s how to stop it.
Steps:
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Press Windows + X → Terminal (Admin).
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Type:
This shows what woke your system last.
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To see all wake devices:
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To disable a wake-capable device:
For example:
🧠 Pro Tip: Use Hybrid Sleep for Better Reliability
Hybrid Sleep saves your session to both RAM and disk — offering the best of both worlds.
To enable it:
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Open Control Panel → Power Options → Advanced settings.
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Expand Sleep → Allow hybrid sleep.
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Set it to On.
Now, your PC will resume instantly and protect against power loss.
🎯 Conclusion: Waking Windows 11 Is Easy Once You Know How
Waking your Windows 11 computer from sleep should be quick and seamless. If it isn’t, you can fix it easily by adjusting power settings, enabling keyboard/mouse wake, or updating drivers.
Here’s a quick recap:
✅ Press a key, move the mouse, or tap the power button.
✅ Enable “Allow this device to wake the computer” in Device Manager.
✅ Disable Fast Startup and USB selective suspend if needed.
✅ Keep drivers and BIOS updated for smooth wake performance.
Once configured correctly, sleep mode will save you power, time, and hassle — while keeping your work safe.
❓ FAQs About Waking Windows 11 from Sleep
1. Why won’t my Windows 11 wake from sleep?
Usually, it’s due to driver issues, disabled wake permissions, or Fast Startup conflicts. Updating drivers and re-enabling device wake options often fixes it.
2. How do I wake my Windows 11 laptop without the power button?
Press any key on the keyboard, click your mouse, or open the laptop lid — as long as wake permissions are enabled.
3. Can I wake my PC remotely?
Yes. Enable Wake-on-LAN in BIOS and Windows settings, then use a WOL tool from another device.
4. Why does my PC wake up by itself?
Scheduled tasks, network activity, or connected devices can trigger wake events. Use powercfg -lastwake to identify the cause.
5. Is it okay to leave my PC in sleep mode overnight?
Yes, but restarting occasionally helps keep your system refreshed and bug-free.
✅ Key Takeaway:
To wake Windows 11 from sleep, simply press a key, move the mouse, or tap the power button — and if that doesn’t work, adjust your power and device settings for full control.