Waking the computer from sleep mode is fairly easy. You just need to press any key on the keyboard or move the mouse (on a laptop, move fingers on the trackpad) to wake the computer. But on some computers running Windows 10, you cannot wake the PC using keyboard or mouse.
We need to press the power button to wake the computer from sleep mode. While pressing the power is as easy as pressing any key on the keyboard, most users prefer to wake computer using keyboard and mouse.
To make the keyboard or mouse or both wake your computer from sleep mode, you just need to change the default power settings of these devices which can be done under Device Manager.
Note that most external keyboards and mice support waking the computer from sleep. However, the same cannot be said about laptop keyboards and trackpads. For instance, my ThinkPad doesn’t support waking PC from sleep mode using the internal keyboard and mouse. There is no option even in BIOS to configure the keyboard and trackpad to wake the laptop. At the same time, my MacBook running Windows 10 supports waking computer using built-in keyboard and mouse.
Method 1 of 2
Wake Windows 10 computer from sleep with a keyboard
Step 1: Open the Device Manager. To do that, right-click on the Start button on the taskbar and then click Device Manager.
Step 2: In the Device Manager window, expand Keyboards to see your keyboard entry.
Step 3: Right-click on your keyboard entry and then click Properties.
Step 4: Under the Power Management tab, check Allow this device to wake the computer option. Click OK button. From now onwards, you will be able to wake the Windows 10 computer using the keyboard.
If the Power Management tab is missing, try to install the latest keyboard driver. If the Power Management tab is still missing, it’s likely because your keyboard does not support waking the computer from sleep.
Method 2 of 2
Wake Windows 10 PC from sleep using mouse/trackpad
Step 1: In the Device Manager, expand Mice and other pointing devices entry to see your mouse.
Step 2: Right-click on your mouse entry and then click Properties to open the mouse properties.
Step 3: Here, switch to the Power Management tab. Check Allow this device to wake the computer option and then click OK button. That’s it! You can now use the mouse to wake your Windows 10 PC from sleep.
Again, if the Power Management tab is not showing up, it’s likely because your mouse or trackpad doesn’t support waking the computer from sleep.
Boomer says
I think this mess is connected with the ‘now required’ two-factor sign in procedure (code over cell-phone) ‘pain in the rear’ protocol! i.e. protecting us all from hacking “Commies” living under the floors of our Private Homes and signing on to our computers while we sleep…
Vasanth says
Go to Power & Sleep settings -> Edit Plan Settings -> Change advanced power settings -> Sleep -> Allow Wake Timers -> Enable. This worked for me!!
Toeknee says
I have tried this, it does not work.
I also have switched from sleep to hiberante, nothing.
Is there a fix for this or do I just remove the sleep / hibernate and leave it run all day / night.
Nimbus says
In Device Manager you might find your USB mouse or keyboard under ‘Human Interface Devices’ instead of ‘keyboards’ or ‘mice’.
skaizun says
I can’t remember where I found this on the web (it doesn’t seem to be in my browser history, which seems to happen a lot!), but, after a lot of trial and error, the following worked for me (to save typing time and space, if you don’t know how to do something listed, search for it on the web):
1) Open a command prompt as administrator
2) powercfg /h off (turns off hibernation mode)
3) Reboot computer
4) Open a command prompt as administrator
5) powercfg /h on
6) Reboot computer
Apparently, either step 2 or 5 deletes a file that may have become corrupted
(to prevent potential damage to your computer, I won’t name the file).
After step 6, I put the computer to sleep for a minute,
and woke it by double-hitting the right touchpad button.
It woke, instantly, which hasn’t happened in months
(either a MicroSquish update broke it,
or my mucking about with power/sleep settings did),
and it works even after hours of being in sleep.
It may work by hitting other keys or mouse,
but, I have no need to check that.
Good luck!
Basslover101 says
Same here as Debs, except there IS a Power Management tab in K&S properties and both “Allow this device to wake PC” are enabled.
Except they don’t.
Joseph Sardone says
I’m about to NEVER use sleep mode … this is ridiculous!
Josh K says
Thank you!
David I says
To get the ‘power management’ option to display for the mouse or keyboard, you need Admin status, rather than User status.
Deborah says
I’ve done this and my computer STILL doesn’t want to wake up!!! Grrr!!! This is so frustrating!
Gary Gargison says
Debbie,
You’re not alone. ACPI Lid under System Devices (in Control Panel) has a Power Management tab however it is greyed out and can’t be enabled. It appears a number of people have this problem (other forums) and the usual, update drivers, run sfc /scannow, etc. do not work. And every moderator goes silent once you say you have done all that they recommend (short of a clean install). I have to believe that there is a Registry hack out there somewhere but until we find it I guess I, at least, will have display off after a few minutes and set Sleep to Never in Power Plan. And will perform a clean shut down (Alt-F4) every time I will be away for any length of time.
Debbie says
I have no ‘power management’ option on either the keyboard or the mouse! What else can I do? I’m always forced to use my power button and I don’t want to do that. (I am running Windows 10, all is up to date.)