3 Ways to Fix Hibernate Mode Not Working on Windows

Hibernate mode is a great way to save your computer’s power without losing your open documents or apps. But when hibernate stops working, it’s more than just annoying—it can mess up your workflow. If your Windows PC refuses to hibernate, here are three proven ways to fix the problem.

1. Enable Hibernate in Windows Settings

Sometimes, hibernate is simply turned off. Here’s how to make sure it’s enabled:

1. Open Control Panel. Press Windows + S, type Control Panel, and hit Enter.
2. Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
3. Click Choose what the power buttons do on the left.
4. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
5. Under Shutdown settings, check Hibernate. Click Save changes.

If “Hibernate” is missing from the list, move on to the next fix.

2. Enable Hibernate with Command Prompt

If hibernate isn’t listed in your power options, you can enable it manually:

1. Press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type this command and press Enter:
   powercfg /hibernate on
3. Restart your computer.

Check your power menu again. Hibernate should now appear as an option.

3. Update Device Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers can block hibernate mode. Update your drivers, especially for display and chipset:

1. Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters. Right-click your graphics driver and choose Update driver.
3. Follow the prompts to search for updates automatically.
4. Repeat for System devices (look for chipset drivers).

After updating, restart your PC and try using hibernate again.

Still Not Working?

If hibernate still won’t work, consider these extra steps:

• Run Windows Update to install the latest fixes.
• Check for software conflicts (third-party antivirus can sometimes interfere).
• Run the Windows Power Troubleshooter (Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Power).

Hibernate issues are almost always fixable with the steps above. If all else fails, there may be a deeper hardware issue, but that’s rare.

Need more Windows tips? Leave a comment below or reach out—we’re here to help!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!