Dell Inspiron N5110 does not go into sleep mode, loses power

funkyguitar · 29 Oct 2013

When I try to put my Dell Inspiron N5110 laptop into sleep mode, the screen goes dark and it looks like it's going to sleep. But the power button stays lit, and the two small outer edge lights on the front display stay lit. I can hear the motor whirring too, and it's clear the laptop is actually on and using/losing power. I am unable to get it out of sleep mode. A long press of the power button will get the computer powered up, but I am immediately taken to the "Windows did not shut down correctly" screen, and given the option to start windows normally or in safe mode.

To fix the problem, I've tried doing a system restore to a restore point before the problem started. That didn't fix it. Today I scanned the hard drive, motherboard and various other hardware, and everything passed. I did a virus scan and no threats were found. Any ideas what's going on and what I can do to fix the issue?

Specs for the laptop: Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1, 64 bit, 6 GB RAM, Inter Core i5.

gregrocker · 29 Oct 2013

How long has the problem been going on? If it's within the time you have available System Restore point try rolling it back.

Sleep problems are mostly Display driver issues, so make sure your driver is up to date: First enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) to run all Important and Optional Windows Updates, with reboots, until there are no more when you check..

Then check the Dell Support page for your Tag number to try the latest driver there.

If all available drivers don't work, then work through these Sleep Mode Problems - Vista Forums.

Establish a Clean Boot, check for errors at time of Sleep in logs, utilize System Resources from the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

You can troubleshoot Sleep issues in Power Options by setting Sleep to 1 minute and Hibernate to 2 minutes to observe these timeouts behavior. I'd also try manually Sleeping and Hibernating from the Shut Down button. You want to test Hibernate too because it is an even better method to Sleep.

If all else fails trace the cause by Gathering a Startup, Shutdown, Sleep, Hibernate, or Reboot Trace - Windows 7 Forums

SandeepP · 04 Nov 2013

funkyguitar said:

When I try to put my Dell Inspiron N5110 laptop into sleep mode, the screen goes dark and it looks like it's going to sleep. But the power button stays lit, and the two small outer edge lights on the front display stay lit. I can hear the motor whirring too, and it's clear the laptop is actually on and using/losing power. I am unable to get it out of sleep mode. A long press of the power button will get the computer powered up, but I am immediately taken to the "Windows did not shut down correctly" screen, and given the option to start windows normally or in safe mode.

To fix the problem, I've tried doing a system restore to a restore point before the problem started. That didn't fix it. Today I scanned the hard drive, motherboard and various other hardware, and everything passed. I did a virus scan and no threats were found. Any ideas what's going on and what I can do to fix the issue?

Specs for the laptop: Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1, 64 bit, 6 GB RAM, Inter Core i5.

Hi funkyguitar,

Welcome to Seven forums.

In addition to follow the suggestions posted by gregrocker please update your drivers from the link below:

Chipset 1

Chipset 2

Also, let us know the video card installed on the system. Or you can also install the driver yourself from the link below:

Drivers for N5110

Check this video if you need help:

Updating Dell Drivers

Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.