cannot wake my computer - windows 11

Question

I have already tried restart, and I cannot wake my computer with either the mouse or keyboard - both are working. this is not a laptop but a desktop - all parts are working and have tried multiple keyboards, etc. - the light remains a solid light color, not solid blue as it should when it is active - interestingly, it will blink when I choose to put it in hibernate, so I do not know why it is not fully active. this has happened in the past and simply restarting the computer would often work, but nothing is working today

Answer 1

Hi!

I thought you were having trouble waking your computer with a mouse or keyboard when it hibernates... but after your second reply, it seems the computer doesn't even fully boot into Windows.

Please send more details about your problem and be more specific. I need to know your problem and understand what's happening in order to help.

I briefly see the hp logo and a spinning circle for about 3 sec, then the screen goes blank. I can see my mouse moving on the blank screen as well...

Generally, this symptom occurs when Windows fails to display the correct instructions and remains stuck on a screen where you can't move the mouse pointer. If this is the case, Windows may be corrupted and need to be reinstalled.

Answer 2

Use these steps to troubleshoot a Windows 11 desktop that won’t wake from sleep with mouse or keyboard:

1. Try all supported wake methods
   • Press the SLEEP key (if present) or any standard key on the keyboard.
   • Move or click the mouse.
   • Quickly press the PC’s power button once (do not hold it down unless forcing a shutdown). On many systems, this is the only reliable way to wake from certain sleep states.
2. Verify the keyboard is allowed to wake the PC
   1. Open Control Panel → Keyboard.
   2. Select the Hardware tab, then select the keyboard and choose Properties.
   3. Select Change settings (requires administrator access).
   4. Go to the Power Management tab.
   5. Make sure Allow this device to wake the computer is enabled.
   6. Select OK, then OK again.
3. Check mouse and keyboard hardware
   • Unplug the mouse and keyboard USB cables, wait a few seconds so Windows unloads the drivers, then plug them back in.
   • Try different USB ports on the PC (prefer ports directly on the motherboard/back panel, not through a hub).
   • If using a USB hub, ensure it has power; if issues persist, connect devices directly to the PC.
   • If possible, test the mouse and keyboard on another PC to confirm they work.
4. Check for driver and Windows updates
   • In the taskbar search box, type check for updates, then select Check for updates and install any available updates.
   • In Device Manager, locate the keyboard and mouse devices, open Properties → Driver, and use Update Driver if available.
5. Confirm system power behavior and ACPI limitations
   • On many desktops, waking from sleep by keyboard/mouse depends on motherboard and ACPI support. Some systems only wake reliably with the power button.
   • If the system repeatedly fails to resume from sleep and only a forced power-off works, there may be a system or firmware issue; check the PC/motherboard documentation or vendor support for BIOS power settings that might cut power to USB ports during sleep.
6. If using docks or external connection hardware
   • If the keyboard/mouse are connected through a Thunderbolt dock or similar, disconnect and reconnect the dock. If devices still don’t respond after resume, restart the PC. Repeated sleep/hibernate cycles with a dock attached/unattached can cause devices to stop working until reattached or rebooted.
7. Adjust sleep/hibernate usage if the issue persists
   • If the PC consistently fails to wake properly, consider reducing use of deep sleep/hibernate and instead use full shutdown or change power settings so the PC does not enter sleep automatically until the underlying issue is resolved.

If none of these steps restore reliable wake behavior, the problem is likely firmware or hardware-specific, and the next step is to review the system/motherboard manual or contact the manufacturer for ACPI and USB power configuration guidance.

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References:

• Troubleshoot problems waking computer from sleep mode
• Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows
• Shut down, sleep, or hibernate your PC
• Devices connected through a Thunderbolt Dock stop working after the computer resumes from a power state