Skip to main content
  • Place orders quickly and easily
  • View orders and track your shipping status
  • Create and access a list of your products

How to Wake a Computer or Monitor From Sleep, Standby, Suspend or Hibernate

Summary: This article provides information about how to wake up a computer or monitor from sleep, standby, suspend, or hibernate mode.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Instructions

What is the difference between Sleep and Hibernate in Windows?

Sleep mode is a power saving state that stops all actions on the computer. Any open documents and applications are moved to the system memory (RAM) and the computer goes to a low-power state. This is similar to pausing a movie DVD. The computer is still powered on, but uses less power. Devices such as monitors also use sleep or standby mode to reduce power consumption.

Waking the computer from a sleep mode allows you to quickly resume normal, full-power operation within a few seconds.

To wake up a computer or the monitor from sleep, standby, or hibernate, move the mouse or press any key on the keyboard. If this does not work, press the power button to wake up the computer.

NOTE: Monitors will wake up from sleep mode as soon as they detect a video signal from the computer. If the monitor does not wake up from sleep mode, ensure that the computer is not in sleep or hibernate mode.

How to adjust power and sleep settings in Windows?

Windows 11

  1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep.
  2. Screen: Select how long you want your device to wait before turning the screen off when you're not using your device.
  3. Sleep: Select how long you want your device to wait before going to sleep when you're not using it.
  4. Power mode: Select the power mode to optimize your computer for performance or power efficiency. 

Windows 10

  1. Click Start, and then select Settings.
  2. Click System.
  3. Click Power & Sleep.
  4. Under Screen, select how long you want the computer to wait before turning the screen off when you are not using the computer.
  5. Under Sleep, select how long you want the computer to wait before going to sleep when you are not using the computer.

For more power saving options, select Additional power settings to change how your computer uses power.


How to enter sleep mode on a computer?

  1. Select Start SLN106761_en_US__2WinKey, then select Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional power settings.
  2. Perform one of the following:
    1. If you are using a desktop or a tablet, select Choose what the power buttons do. Next to When I press the power button, select Sleep, and then select Save changes.
    2. If you are using a laptop, select Choose what closing the lid does. Next to When I close the lid, select Sleep, and then select Save changes.
  3. Press the power button on your desktop, tablet, or laptop, or close your laptop's lid to make your PC sleep.

How to hibernate your computer?

  1. Select Start Windows logo icon, then select Settings > System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings.
  2. Select Choose what the power button does, and then select Change settings that are currently unavailable. Under Shutdown settings, select the Hibernate checkbox (if it's available), and then select Save changes.
  3. You can hibernate your PC by selecting Start, and then select Power > Hibernate.
NOTE: See Microsoft documentation to learn more about What is Modern Standby This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies..

How to wake a monitor from standby mode?

If a monitor does not detect a video signal, it will enter standby mode to reduce power consumption.

  1. Check the signal source. Ensure the computer is not in standby or sleep mode by moving the mouse or pressing any key on the keyboard.
  2. Check if the video cable is plugged in properly. Disconnect and reconnect the video cable if necessary.
  3. Restart the computer.
NOTE: If the computer is in sleep mode for a long time, it will enter hibernation mode. Press the power button of the computer to wake up the computer.
NOTE: If the monitor continues to enter standby mode, change the power and sleep settings.

Additional Information

Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.


Out of Warranty support Out of warranty? No problem. Visit the Dell.com/support website and enter your Dell Service Tag and view our offers.

NOTE: Currently, offers are only available for US, Canada, UK, and France PC customers. Server and Storage not applicable.

Affected Products

Alienware, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, Alienware and Dell Gaming Monitors, C Series, D Series, E Series, Legacy Monitors, P Series, S Series, SE Series, UltraSharp Premier (UP) Series, UltraSharp (U) Series , G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000130380
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 06 Aug 2024
Version:  7
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.