Computer keeps forcing itself into sleep mode?

I've had this computer for about 4 months now, and I haven't had many problems with it aside from an invalid Windows 7 key which I fixed. But lately my computer has been falling into the nasty habit of forcing itself into sleep mode while I am using it. It started about a month ago, and has spiralled into a major problem. My computer can enter sleep mode 5 or 6 times in a row with about 5 seconds inbetween each wake up. I use my computer for a variety of things, such as gaming, photoshopping, streaming movies, and the such, so this problem really proves frustrating when it begins to act up when I am in the middle of something. It also seems to act up in sessions. At times it won't do anything for a few hours and I will peacefully use my computer. But then it will suddenly kick in, and will enter sleep mode multiple times with only a few seconds inbetween each wake up. At the moment of writing this, my computer has entered sleep mode 12 times. I've been counting...

I don't know what could be causing this problem, as I've tried a few different fixes. I updated both my dedicated graphics card (Geforce GTX 960) as well as my integrated graphics card (Intel HD Graphics 4600) to see if they were out-dated, but both were up to date and functioning. I made sure my GTX was properly installed and secured and it is. I also purchased a new hard drive due to lack of space, and I was hopeful that maybe that was the problem, but it didn't help. I considered trying to update my BIOS, but as of 2 weeks ago, it was up to date. I have an MSI Z97 Gaming 5 MOBO.

I have noticed that two of my internal fans have failed, and I have yet to check to see if they are connected correctly. I wouldn't think a failing fan would cause the computer to enter sleep mode though. Plus they were working last week, so that's only a very recent problem.

On a side note, I do a lot of streaming to Twitch, and I've noticed when I run OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) it seems to make the problem somewhat more managable. Normally when my computer enters sleep mode, it takes about 10-15 seconds before my computer is completely asleep and I have the chance to wake it up. When OBS is open and streaming, however, the moment my computer tries to enter sleep mode I need only hit escape and it cancels the process and takes me to the lock screen. Keep in mind I actually have to be streaming or at least previewing my stream in OBS for this to happen. I don't know what this means, but I figured it would be useful knowledge.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. This problem has driven me to the end of my wit, and I would love to be done with it. If I left any crucial information out, feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer. Also, it's entered sleep mode 19 times now. It's been very difficult typing this

Yes. I use Microsoft Security Essentials and I ran a full scan just the other day with nothing coming up. I also ran a basic clean using CCleaner just in case.

For Malware scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free (start the premium trial).

Double check your active Power Plan (Control Panel - Power Options - Change Plan Settings - (see option there) and then go into advanced settings - and see if you can spot anything)

Try a clean startup, in case an app is causing it, Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup, I have heard some motherboard apps (from MSI in your case) may cause this, do you have any installed?

Then run: gpedit.msc - Computer Configuration - Administrative templates - System - Power Management - Sleep Settings
(for both on battery and plugged in)
- turn off hybrid sleep (enabled)
- system sleep timeout (enabled, 0)
- unattended sleep timeout (enabled, 0)
- experiment with others

In your opening post you said that 2 fans had stopped working.

From this i would say that your comp is overheating, and within your power option setup i suspect the default is sleep when a certain temperature is reached.

I would not change the settings but fix the fans

Someone more into overclocking will be able to give you more/better advice on this type of problem.

Roy

I didn't know a PC could go into sleep when overheated (and failed to read the part about failed fans)

Definitely worth checking temps (HWInfo is good enough).

DreadStar: you are wrong about overclocking. It does affect performance where the game is bottlenecked by the CPU. From the top of my head I can name ARMA 2, Battlefield Series multiplayer, usually MMOs. It also is dependant on your GPU being able to keep up. In short, you should be benchmarking and weighing the plus and minus of overclocking.

GokAy said:

For Malware scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free (start the premium trial).

Double check your active Power Plan (Control Panel - Power Options - Change Plan Settings - (see option there) and then go into advanced settings - and see if you can spot anything)

Try a clean startup, in case an app is causing it, Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup, I have heard some motherboard apps (from MSI in your case) may cause this, do you have any installed?

Then run: gpedit.msc - Computer Configuration - Administrative templates - System - Power Management - Sleep Settings
(for both on battery and plugged in)
- turn off hybrid sleep (enabled)
- system sleep timeout (enabled, 0)
- unattended sleep timeout (enabled, 0)
- experiment with others

Thank you very much. I will post results as soon as possible

The 2 fans failing to work is a relatively recent problem, while the sleeping problem is about a month old, but I will look into it regardless. Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I will run some tests once I get off work