Won't Sleep From Start Menu but Sleep Timer Works

[nsainfreek]

I know there are a bunch of sleep problems out there but I couldn't fine one similar to this after doing a forum search. Running Windows 7 Ultimate. Sleep used to work ok but now when I choose sleep from the start menu, the screen blacks out but the computer doesn't actually go to sleep. The fans, activity lights, hdd lights are all still running. If I move the mouse the screen comes back. However, if I just wait for the sleep timer to kick in then the computer does go to sleep (all fans stop running and all lights go out). I'm not sure what caused this. I use my pc as an HTCP and now when I push the power button on the remote the pc does not go to sleep. Any suggestions would be great, thanks!

 

[Ztruker]

This tells you how to disable and enable sleep, see if it applies to you: How to Disable the Sleep Option in the Windows Shut Down Menu

 

[nsainfreek]

I've seen that thread. It doesn't apply to me because the sleep option is still available in my start menu. I can choose it, it just doesn't put the computer to sleep. Just blacks out the screen.

 

[tman69]

so what you're saying is--sleep used to work, but now it doesn't...
what's changed? and when?
windows updates?
new hardware or software?

also...what do you mean by "I use my PC as an HTCP" (Hyper Text Caching Protocol)--do you mean HTPC? (Home Theater PC).

I can advise you on ALL the various places to control the 'sleep' function--but I need some more info about how you actually have it set now and what may have been recently installed that could have led to the problem you are experiencing.

 

[nsainfreek]

Thanks for the response. Yes, sleep use to work and now it doesn't. At least by choosing sleep from the start menu. If I set a time for sleep to kick in then that actually works. This problem actually started a couple of months ago, but I just didn't have time to try and diagnos and fix it so I'm really not sure what changes could have caused it. Windows update is set to automatically just update stuff so I'm not sure if anything has updated since then. I don't think I've made any major changes to the system. Yes, I meant HTPC, just accidentally transposed the last two letters while typing.

Do you need to know what all the settings are set to in the advanced sleep menu? I haven't changed that so it's still what it was, except for the timers.

 

[tman69]

IF settings remain unchanged (are you sure? because sometimes windows updates will change settings for 'security' reasons) then I don't need to know the settings.

In two months there should have been at least one batch of windows updates installed--it's my personal experience that when something that worked before, now doesn't, then probably a 'security' update is responsible.

which is why I have 'never' updated my OS since original install--that said--you could try a restore point prior to the problem arising--or try uninstalling 'updates' one-at-a-time until the problem goes away

 

[nsainfreek]

Hmm, before I start doing that, is there anything else that you know it could possibly be? I found a thread on here that someone had the same problem but no one responded to that thread. I figure if it was due to an update then it would be more widespread and I'd be able to find it somewhere online.

 

[tman69]

I read this forum daily and I have experienced 'none' of the repetitive problems that I see people posting....I've also read a lot of posts where people have 'sleep' problems--I have had none.
So...run a full backup--then try 'system restore' to a time before the problem started--which 'may' solve your problem---if the problem isn't solved, you can restore your system from the backup and you'll be no worse off than you are now.

you could try 'googling' your problem--here's one example: (but I disagree with some of the suggested settings)

Windows 7 will not sleep or not sleeping

my settings are as follows:
power plan=high performance
turn off display=never
put computer to sleep=never
advanced:
Display>turn off display after=never
PCI express>link state power management=off
Power buttons>Power button=shut down
sleep button=sleep
Sleep>sleep after=never
Allow Hybrid sleep=on
Hibernate after=never
allow wake timers=Disable
Hard Disk>turn off hard disk after=never

when I want machine to sleep, I select 'sleep' from start menu--screen goes black--machine runs for about 5 seconds then sleeps--wakes with any key.

BIOS, ACPI advanced power state set to S3

 

[Ztruker]

Advising people to never apply updates is a very bad idea. Microsoft doesn't release the updates for the heck of it. Most of them are to close holes that expose the system to exploitation and malware.

 

[tman69]

Ztrucker---that's your opinion--I have had NO problems with Malware or exploitation of my system--but then I'm careful with my firewalls (hardware and software), run good AV and MalwarebytesPro. And, FYI, most builders that I know DON'T run MS updates, as in their experience, they cause more problems than they solve...and I know current and former MS employees who firmly believe that the updates (at least for knowledgeable people) don't matter.

but thank you for the off topic reply--can you offer a viable solution for the OP?

 

[Ztruker]

We agree to disagree ....

Since sleep works when invoked via a timer, sounds like it may be a mouse problem. Is it wired or wireless?
Try uninstalling it from Device Manager. When you do this the mouse will no longer work so you will need to use the keyboard to reboot.

Press Windows key + R.
Type shutdown /t 0 /r and press Enter

When Win 7 reboots it will detect the mouse and reload the drivers. See if that helps.

Edit: Might also be interesting to see what powercfg -LASTWAKE shows from a Command Prompt after trying to start Sleep from the Start menu.

 

[nsainfreek]

The mouse solution didnt work. when i run lastwake after trying to set to sleep there is no change from before tried to put it to sleep.

 

[Ztruker]

Is it a wired or a wireless mouse? If wireless, do you have a wired mouse you could try as a test?

 

[nsainfreek]

Uhm, no I don't have a wireless mouse. I could possibly try to find one. But what makes you think the mouse is the issue?

 

[DavidE]

Try creating a new shortcut to see if the PC will sleep using the shortcut.

Set the target to "C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState FALSE" (without the quotes).

Set the name to "Sleep".

 

[Ztruker]

I would only think about replacing the mouse if it was wireless. Since it's not I don't think that;'s the problem.

 

[nsainfreek]

Ooops, sorry I wrote that wrong. I meant I don't have a wired mouse. But why do you think that's the problem?

 

[DavidE]

Did you try using the Sleep shortcut i posted earlier?
That could determine if it's just a problem with the Sleep option on the Start menu, or something else.

Wireless mice can cause sleep problems.
I've had problems with these before.

Some media programs can also cause problems for sleep.
I have an HTPC and run into this.

You could also run an Energy report with the powercfg -energy command.

Is hibernate enabled, listed on the start menu, and does that work?
If hibernate is enabled and not listed on the Start menu, disable Hybrid sleep (or use Process Explorer to test it).

You could also run the System File Checker with the sfc /scannow command.

 

[Ztruker]

Sleep works when it kicks in automatically. It's only not working when you try to start it from the Start Menu. The mouse is involved so it's worth removing it and trying a wired mouse.

 

[bondisdead]

Have the identical problem myself...

Wanted to jump in here that i have the exact same problem. On a cold boot, the sleep will work once (ie. shut down, flashing LED on power-button indicating sleep state and fans/other lights shut down). However, on subsequent sleeps, the fans stay spinning and the power is clearly on (though monitor is turned off). If you wake it from this state (S5?), it's as though you woke it from sleep. The command powercfg -lastwake is correct in reporting what woke the computer.

Like the OP, if I let the sleep timer kick in, everything sleeps just fine. It's the action of forcing the sleep that causes the problem.

I have unplugged everything from my system, including ethernet and all USB devices. I tried a wired usb keyboard/mouse, and thought that was it, as it went in/out of sleep for about half-a-dozen times, then it was back to the un-normal sleep with fans spinning.

I am on a whole new ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe motherboard with a fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate x64. I previously had an ASUS P8P67 Pro, and it also ocassionally exhibited the same issues. What I would notice is after a windows update, sleep would break. I'd have to go back to a previous system restore, then things were good...even after forcing the windows update again! A month or two later, the problem would crop up again. Right now, I cannot get it working again. What is windows up doing to my system?!

I have hibernate turned off, so all I use is sleep.

Oh, I should add that I ran the system check, and also created a shortcut on my desktop with the command shown above. No difference.