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HP Printer Won’t Wake Up/Sleep/Keeps Going To Sleep

Black printer with a blank white paper in tray

Printers designed by the Hewlett Packard company have a unique sleep mode function to save energy when your machine is inactive. But this hibernation feature can experience several bugs that will affect the printer’s performance.

When your HP printer won’t wake up or keeps going to sleep, the sleep mode function is experiencing an issue. To correct this, you can update the driver software, modify the sleep mode settings, or reset the printer. Troubleshooting common sleep issues does not require a professional.

This article will review possible reasons why your HP printer’s sleep mode is malfunctioning. Also, we’ll tell you simple ways to fix these problems without technical experience.

HP Printer Sleep Mode Problems

Woman in an office about to press print button on a printer

Suppose you suspect that your sleep mode is experiencing a bug. In that case, these recommended fixes can solve most HP printers’ sleep mode problems, including:

Incompatibility

One solution to correct the sleep mode function is to update your computer. You must find and install the latest system update for your Mac or Windows operating software.

For Windows 10 computers, restore the functionality of your printer’s hibernation mode with these steps:

  1. Open “Windows Update Settings.” Search for the option using the “Start” menu.
  2. Click “Check For Updates” under the “Windows Updates” heading.
  3. Install any available updates.

Malware

Personal computers and smartphones are vulnerable to digital viruses that will mess with your HP printer. Scan your computer with a threat detection software, like Windows Security, to search for malware applications.

There’s no way of telling which software is the source of your printer’s problem, so remove all applications that your computer considers dangerous.

HP Printer Won’t Wake Up/Stuck in Sleep Mode

Office printer that is off

HP printers may get stuck in sleep mode due to power settings. If the printer enters sleep mode too quickly, adjust the power settings to keep it awake for longer. This can be done through the printer’s control panel or settings in the computer’s operating system. By keeping the printer awake for longer, it can avoid getting stuck in sleep mode and be ready to print when needed.

Here are other possible reasons why HP printers might get stuck in sleep mode and how to fix it:

  1. Power settings: If the printer is set to enter sleep mode too quickly, it may get stuck in this mode. To fix this, adjust the power settings so that the printer stays awake for longer periods of time.
  2. Network connectivity: If the printer is connected to a network and loses connectivity, it may enter sleep mode and not wake up. To fix this, check the network connection and re-establish it if necessary.
  3. Firmware issue: If the printer’s firmware is out of date or has become corrupted, it may cause the printer to get stuck in sleep mode. To fix this, update the printer’s firmware to the latest version.
  4. Hardware issue: If none of the above solutions work, it may indicate a hardware issue, such as a faulty power supply or control board. In this case, contact a professional for repair.

It’s important to consult the user manual for your specific HP printer model for more detailed troubleshooting steps.

HP Printer Keeps Going To Sleep

Finger pressing printer button

HP printers have a timer that makes the printer sleep after long periods of inactivity. Your timer can have a shorter duration than you would like. To adjust the auto-sleep timer in your printer’s system settings:

  1. Open the “Printers” folder.
  2. Right-click your printer’s name. Choose “Printer Properties” from the menu that appeared.
  3. Navigate to the “Device Settings” tab.
  4. Locate the “Sleep/Auto-Off Console” section.
  5. Click the arrow beside the “Sleep/Auto-Off after.” Insert your desired delay time.

Suppose your printer’s sleep delay has a time you are comfortable with, but the printer keeps going to sleep outside of the delay time. In that case, perform a hard reset on your printer with the following guide:

  1. Disconnect the power cord while the printer is on.
  2. Wait one minute before plugging the power cord back in.
  3. Turn on the printer.
  4. Print a network configuration page.
  5. Search the IP address listed on the configuration page in your web browser.
  6. Select the “Network” tab. Choose “Networking” from the left task pane.
  7. Click on “IP Address.”
  8. Assign a manual IP address. Ask Windows to suggest an IP address for you.
  9. Move on to select “Manual DNS Server.”
  10. Enter the primary and secondary DNS server stated on the printed configuration sheet.
  11. Apply the settings.
  12. Search your operating system for “Devices and Printers.”
  13. Right-click your HP model. Select “Printer Properties” and choose the “Ports” tab.
  14. Select “Add Port.”
  15. Choose “Standard TCP/IP Port” and pick the option “New Port.”
  16. Enter the printer’s new IP address in the set-up wizard.

This method works to stop HP printers from continually going to sleep on Windows 10 systems. Mac and other operating systems require a different routine.

HP Printer Won’t Go To Sleep

White printer and desktop monitor that is off

When your HP printer doesn’t go to sleep, it has unresolved notifications, outdated firmware, or needs a power reset. Your HP printer will stay active as long as it needs something changed on its hardware or software. Clearing the printer’s notifications will return the sleep mode functionality.

If resolving the notifications does not solve the problem, then your printer needs to be reset. To accurately perform a power reset:

  1. Disconnect the power cord while the printer is on.
  2. Wait for ten seconds.
  3. Reconnect the power cord. Immediately turn on the printer to reset it.

Suppose the power reset has failed. In that instance, the sleep mode error is the result of outdated firmware. To solve this, upgrade your firmware with software provided by the official HP website.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on February 20, 2021.

HP Printer Disable Sleep Mode

Office black printer being fixed with tools

A software malfunction will cause your HP printer to disable sleep mode. In most cases, you can solve this by going to your model’s property settings and re-enabling the hibernate function. All printers have different means of configuring their settings. Reference your user manual for the detailed guide for your specific printer.

HP Printer Sleep Delay

Black home printer with lid open

The sleep delay functionality sets the minimum time requirement for the printer to enter a state of inactivity. The printer will enter hibernation mode depending on the time you select in this section. For most HP printers, the default value for the timer is one minute.

However, if the sleep delay timer is off, the printer will never enter its sleep mode. To turn on the sleep delay timer and set it:

  1. Select the “Menu” on your printer’s control panel.
  2. Scroll to “Configure Devices” and select it.
  3. Enter the “System Setup” menu by clicking on the heading.
  4. Choose “Sleep Delay.” The printer will provide you with the settings you can change. Modify the program as desired.

This method will work on modern touchscreen HP printers. For all other printer models:

  1. Right-click the “Device Settings.” Locate your HP device’s name and click it.
  2. Click the “Device Settings” tab.
  3. Navigate to the “Sleep/Auto-Off Console” heading.
  4. Check the box that says “Automatically turn off devices after inactivity.”
  5. Select the desired sleep delay time.
  6. Apply the settings and close the window.

Final Thoughts

The official HP website has all the software you will need to correct this common sleep problem.

Your hibernation feature’s future depends on your familiarity with the printer’s manuals and your ability to correctly configure the printer’s properties.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on February 20, 2021.

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