One of the most unpleasant problems you may have with a gadget, most commonly your computer, is when it begins to do something it has never done before. Shutting down your PC might take a long time, and starting it up can take much longer. Hence, laptop users prefer placing their Windows into Sleep or Hibernate mode to preserve those valuable seconds by closing their lid. However, some users have reported that the laptop shuts down instead of sleep, causing data loss and valuable time. This post will guide you on fixing issues with your PC shutting down rather than going to sleep in Windows 11/10.
Fix Windows Shuts Down Instead of Going to Sleep (Windows 11/10)
A power setting, a disabled BIOS setting, or a fault in the Intel Management Engine Interface (IMEI) driver are all possibilities for the cause of the problem.
- Run Windows Power Troubleshooter
- Check Power Settings
- Update Windows
- Intel(R) Management Engine Interface (IMEI) Drivers
- Enable Power Saving Mode in BIOS
You may need admin permission to resolve this.
1] Run Windows Power Troubleshooter
Windows has a robust troubleshooter that can diagnose and fix a variety of issues on its own. Here’s how you can use the Windows troubleshooter to fix the problems with power.
Windows 11
- On a PC running Windows 11, open the Settings panel and navigate to the System section.
- Next, choose Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters. Scroll down, and you should be able to find the option for Power.
- Click on the Run option to let Windows find and fix issues with the PC.
Windows 10,
- Navigate to Settings > Update and Security > Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooters
- Choose the option for Power, and select Run Troubleshooter.
2] Check Power Settings
A recent Windows update might likely have messed with the Power Plan settings.
- In the Start Search Box, key in Control Panel and choose the best match.
- Now, navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
- Next, select Choose what closing the lid does from the left navigation pane.
- With this, you’ll be prompted to a list of options. Here configure the dropdowns to Sleep for what happens when I close the lid.
- Click on Apply Changes and restart Windows.
3] Update Windows
Updating your Windows to the newest version might help fix a ton of issues. In particular, if the bug/issue is known and the fix is expected. Here’s how you can update your copy of Windows.
- Start by opening the Settings Panel and navigating to Update and Security.
- Now, click on Check for Updates under the Windows Updates section. On Windows 11, head over to Settings > Windows Update. If there is any available update, make sure to download and install it.
- Note that you may be asked to restart your device once the update is completed.
4] Intel(R) Management Engine Interface (IMEI) Drivers
An outdated Intel Management Engine Interface (IMEI) driver is reported to trigger power issues. Updating the driver to the latest version and making a change to the power management section might help. Here’s how to do so.
- In the Start Search Box, search for the Device Manager and choose the main listed result.
- Next, expand System Devices, find and right-click on the Intel(R) Management Engine Interface option.
- Now, in the Properties window, head over to the Power Management section and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Now, head back to the General section and choose Update Driver. If any are available, this will redirect you to Windows Update, from where a user can update the driver.
These driver updates will be available as Optional Updates.
5] Enable Power Saving Mode in BIOS
Another frequent cause of the situation is disabled power saving options in the BIOS. Here’s how you can turn on Power Saving Options present under the BIOS.
- Begin by shutting down the PC and booting into the BIOS. One can boot into the BIOS by clicking on either F12 or the DEL key while booting up.
- Now, find the option for Power Management and toggle on the option for Power Saving.
- Save the settings and restart your PC.
That said, do you prefer shutting down your PC, or do you close the lid like most of us?
How Can I Prevent My Computer From Going Into Sleep Mode?
You can configure your PC to never go to sleep via Power Options. Navigate to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > select what closing the lid does and turn all the options to either Shut Down or Never from the dropdown.
What Is the Difference Between Sleep and Shutdown?
The PC enters a low-power state, the state of the PC is saved in memory, and the rest of the PC is turned down and won’t use any power during Sleep. Shutdown, on the other hand, closes all the applications and switches off the operating system.
Why Does My Windows PC Suddenly Shut Down?
Well, if your computer is shutting down randomly, this might either be due to corrupt software or faulty hardware. We’d recommend you get your computer checked.
