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Fix a Windows that has wake that will not work

We'll fix wake settings and drivers so the PC wakes from sleep.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
10–20 min
Step 1 of 4

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Steps

Goal: Fix wake so PC wakes from sleep.

  • Enable wake for keyboard and mouse. Run powercfg /devicequery wake_armed.
  • Good: PC wakes. Bad: Update drivers.

Enable device wake

Goal: Allow keyboard and mouse to wake PC.

  • Device Manager > Keyboard, Mouse. Properties > Power Management. Check “Allow wake”.
  • Good: Wake enabled. Bad: Enable and restart.

Check powercfg

Goal: See which devices can wake.

  • powercfg /devicequery wake_armed. Enable missing devices.
  • Good: Keyboard and mouse listed. Bad: Enable in Device Manager.

When to get help

Call a technician if:

  • Wake is enabled for devices but PC still will not wake.
  • Power supply or motherboard may need service.

Verification

  • PC wakes when moving mouse or pressing key.
  • powercfg /devicequery wake_armed shows keyboard and mouse.
  • Power button wakes if configured.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Device wake Device Manager > Enable wake for keyboard, mouse.
  2. powercfg powercfg /devicequery wake_armed; enable missing devices.
  3. Drivers Update chipset, USB drivers.
  4. Call a pro Hardware may need service.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • powercfg /devicequery wake_armed output
  • Keyboard/mouse: wake enabled?
  • Power button: what does it do?
  • Steps already tried

Are keyboard and mouse allowed to wake?

Wake must be enabled per device.

Device Manager > Keyboard, Mouse. Properties > Power Management. Check "Allow this device to wake the computer". Good: enabled. Bad: enable and restart.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Enable device wake

Device Manager > Keyboard, Mouse. Properties > Power Management. Check "Allow wake". Restart. Test wake.

Done

Does powercfg show wake devices?

powercfg /devicequery wake_armed lists wake-capable devices.

Run powercfg /devicequery wake_armed. If keyboard/mouse missing, enable in Device Manager. Update USB drivers. Good: devices listed. Bad: enable or update drivers.
Question

Devices wake?

Continue

You can change your answer later.

Update drivers

Update chipset and USB drivers. Disable Fast Startup to test. If still will not wake, hardware may need service.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would Windows not wake?
Wake disabled for keyboard/mouse, power button does not wake, or driver issue. Enable device wake; check power button; update drivers.
Can I fix wake myself?
Yes. Device Manager > enable wake for keyboard and mouse. powercfg /devicequery wake_armed. Update drivers.
When should I call a technician for wake?
If wake is enabled for devices and PC still will not wake—hardware (power supply, motherboard) may need service.

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