What I Did When the Sleep Option Was Missing in Windows 11

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Arsalan Shakil

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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If you encounter the Sleep option missing in Windows 11, don’t panic since it is a widely-known issue. When I came across this after updating my PC from Windows 10, there were a few methods that effectively restored the missing Sleep option, for instance, rolling back the drivers.

Method Difficulty Rating

Verify Sleep Is Enabled

Double-check that you have given the relevant permissions for the Sleep button to appear in the Power menu and did not disable it mistakenly. It will not show up in the Power options if not selected. Hence, I used the following steps to check it on my PC. 

1. Get To System Options: Launch the Control Panel > System And Security.
2. Open Power Settings: Under Power Options, click Choose What The Power Button Do.
3. Modify Configurations: If you see no tick behind the Sleep box, choose Change Settings That Are Currently Unavailable.

   

4. Turn On Sleep Option: Mark the box next to Sleep > Save Changes.

   

Roll Back Graphics Driver

In rare cases, the driver updates you installed may be corrupt or contain bugs, disrupting the functioning of related features, such as the missing Sleep option.

A Windows Insider MVP posted on the Windows 11 Forum a way to undo the most recent updates for drivers, so I performed it on the graphics driver. It turned out that the fault was within the patch, and rolling back the driver brought back the Sleep option. Move to a previous driver version with the instructions below.

1. Launch Device Manager: Click on the Windows Search Bar > Search for Device Manager.
2. Move To Adapter Properties: Expand Display Adapter > Right-click on the relevant adapter > Properties.

   

3. Roll Back Driver: Open the Driver tab > Notice the Roll Back Driver option. If it is clickable, then click on it.

   

Reset Power Plans

There are defined Command Prompt codes to control various aspects of Windows, including resetting the power plans to default. Doing so will reverse any faulty changes you might have made to the power settings. Hence, I executed powercfg -restoredefaultschemes in CMD, and it did the trick. Just make sure to restart the computer to apply the new settings. 

Repair With Windows ISO File

1. Install ISO File: Download the Windows 11 ISO File on your computer.
2. Remove Peripherals: Turn off the WiFi connectivity > Disconnect all external hardware except the mouse and the keyboard.
3. Turn Off Antivirus: Disable any third-party antivirus apps, like McAfee or Avast.
4. Open ISO File: Head to the location where the ISO File is installed > Double-click on the file.
5. Run The Setup: Select Setup.exe.

   

6. Upgrade: Choose the Upgrade option in the dialog box.

The solution also worked for a user on Microsoft Community when suggested by an Independent Advisor. 

Final Words

Lots of users have been complaining about the same problem in Windows 11, as evidenced by multiple threads on Reddit. Furthermore, when a user on X tweeted about the issue, Microsoft Support promptly reached out, requesting the user to direct message (DM) them regarding the problem, but no official solutions were provided.

Hello there! Your tweet about Sleep Mode option that's missing on your Windows 11 device caught our attention. If you’d like our help with this, please send us a DM to discuss it further & to maximize character usage. We’ll be glad to assist however possible. -Nick https://t.co/3qcAsLFkaY

— Microsoft Support (@MicrosoftHelps) December 14, 2023

These little issues have greatly affected the user experience on Windows 11, with newer bugs coming up every day without any official acknowledgements from Microsoft. There have been similar problems like the screen stuck on restarting or the Quick Access menu missing in Windows 11. 

Nonetheless, the fixes mentioned above were of great help to me in resolving this frustrating trouble in my Windows OS.

Other Issues In Windows 11:

• Windows 11: Computer Won’t Wake Up From Sleep [SOLVED]
• How To Fix Cursor Moving On Its Own In Windows 11
• FIXED: App Has Been Blocked For Your Protection Windows 11
• 5 Ways To Fix File Explorer Crashing In Windows 11
• Quick Fixes For Kernel Security Check Failure In Windows 11

Arsalan Shakil

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com