How to fix Windows 10 shuts down instead of sleep

Windows 10 does not shut down on its own. Shut Down is a user initiated action. Windows 10 may restart outside active hours to install updates but that happens once (or twice) a month. If you leave your system idle, it should enter Sleep which is a suspended power mode but not the same as a shut down.

Windows 10 shuts down instead of sleep

If Windows 10 is shutting down instead of entering sleep, or if it shuts down when you manually put the system to sleep, it isn’t normal behavior. It may point to a problem with the system’s hardware or with the hardware configuration.

Before you try to fix the problem, run through these basic checks.

• Leave your system plugged in i.e., connected to a power source and check if it still shuts down.
• Manually sleep the system; open the Start menu and click the power button. Select Sleep and check if the system enters sleep or if it shuts down. 
• Make sure the system isn’t overheating and shutting down as a result.

If the system continues to shut down, try the fixes below.

1. Remove power management apps

If you’ve installed apps that manage power on your system, remove them. They may be interfering with the power management system on Windows 10 or the app may not be working correctly. If you want to schedule system sleep, use a script.

On that note, check if you have any scripts running that may be turning the system off. Additionally, some apps e.g. torrent clients, have a feature where they shut down the system after a torrent has downloaded. Check if something like that is enabled and turn it off.

2. Change power button/lid close action

Windows 10 allows users to configure what the power button on a system does, and what happens when you close the lid of a laptop. You can set it up so that it will shut down the system when you close the laptop lid or press the power button.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Paste this in the location bar: Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Power Options
3. Click ‘Choose what the power buttons do’ in the column on the left.
4. Open the dropdown for the power button and the lid close action and select Sleep.
5. Click Save changes.

3. Run Windows Power troubleshooter 

Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter for fixing power related problems. Try running it and it may resolve the shut down problems.

1. Open the Settings app with the Win+I keyboard shortcut.
2. Go to Update & Security.
3. Select Troubleshoot.
4. Click Additional troubleshooters.
5. Run the Power troubleshooter.

4. Check BIOS settings

The BIOS on your system may have its own power management feature. If it does, Windows 10 won’t be able to change it.

1. Boot to your BIOS.
2. Look for something related to Power Management.
3. Change its current state and save it.

5. Update Intel Management Engine Interface

The Intel Management Engine Interface controls lots of base functions on a system, including system power. Make sure it’s up to date.

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand System Devices.
3. Right-click Intel Management Engine Interface and select Update driver.
4. Search online for driver updates and install the ones that are available.

Note: You can manually download and install the latest driver for Intel Management Engine Interface from Intel.

Conclusion

If the above fixes do not work, it’s a good idea to have the hardware on your system examined. There may be a problem with the power supply that’s causing the system to shut down.

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Fatima Wahab

Fatima has been writing for AddictiveTips for six years. She began as a junior writer and has been working as the Editor in Chief since 2014. Fatima gets an adrenaline rush from figuring out how technology works, and how to manipulate it. A well-designed app, something that solves a common everyday problem and looks

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