Solved Computer doesn't sleep when app is opened phenomenon

[DustSailor]

Hey all,

I noticed that my computer automatically enters sleep mode perfectly well at times, and others not so well. Over time, my suspicion has come to rest upon an opened app preventing sleep... more specifically the iHeartRadio app. I haven't proved it, but there is more than just coincidence that my computer seems to know when it is open. Does anyone else experience this with any opened apps, or is my computer being disobedient?

Appreciate the comments!

 

[hawkman]

sleep

Hi Dusty,
seems logical to me that comp wont sleep with this app open.
Its an "always on" type app, as the radio signal is always broadcasting, and therfore being picked up by your comp .
one of svchost services is over-riding the sleep mode, because of the above.

Roy

 

[caperjack]

kind of good it doesn't sleep when the app is working ,imagine if we could all go to sleep when at work ,


just the opposite issue for me ,my computer sleept when I was running SFC /scannow , and DISM

 

[DustSailor]

Hi Dusty,
seems logical to me that comp wont sleep with this app open.
Its an "always on" type app, as the radio signal is always broadcasting, and therfore being picked up by your comp .
one of svchost services is over-riding the sleep mode, because of the above.

Roy

Hey Roy,
I don't think it is an 'always on' type of app though, as it isn't actually using a radio signal, but rather receiving data from a server somewhere over broadband. And I set the app to 'pause' music, so nothing is transmitting*

*I discovered that it isn't the problem at all though. Did a lastwake, and my USB 3.0 was the most recent cause, but I only have a cord plugged in with nothing else attached. Moved the cord to another slot to see what happens, I'll update this post with the info.

kind of good it doesn't sleep when the app is working ,imagine if we could all go to sleep when at work ,


just the opposite issue for me ,my computer sleept when I was running SFC /scannow , and DISM

Wow. I just love it when I'm downloading a large file, leave, and halfway through it cuts off because it fell asleep. I had a media guy who converted a lot of large media files, and his computer would cut off the operation midway through as well. You'd think it wouldn't, too...

 

[Itaregid]

There are many programs that interfere with sleep functions. I note when I win at Windows own Spider Solitaire, if I leave when the fireworks display is still "reporting" (explosion booms), it will not go to sleep. I stream with Pandora a lot and my system will not go to sleep until Pandora realizes I am no longer there and stops streaming.

Window Media Player, by default, is set to wake the computer to check for updates! And other update programs may wake your computer, as well as anti-malware scanners and other Task Scheduler items.

*I discovered that it isn't the problem at all though. Did a lastwake, and my USB 3.0 was the most recent cause, but I only have a cord plugged in with nothing else attached. Moved the cord to another slot to see what happens, I'll update this post with the info.

This can easily happen if the floor of your room is not on a solid foundation (like poured concrete or solid Earth) and heavy footfalls (kids running or just people waking) near your desk creates just enough vibrations running through the floor, up and across your desk to "wiggle" the mouse just enough to trigger the "Wake on Mouse" command set your BIOS Setup Menu. Even things like jet engines (if you live near an airport) or heavy truck traffic nearby can create enough vibrations wake the computer.

I have noticed this happens more frequently with wired mice because the wire actually pulls on the mouse just enough to help the vibrations create movement. No doubt you have seen where the wire can actually twist-about or pull a mouse for several inches. Moving the cord to a different USB slot may ease some of that "pulling" - or make it worse!

Check your "Wake on..." commands in your BIOS Setup Menu. Some BIOS menus let you change what mouse functions work with that "Wake on" function. If yours does, you can set it to mouse buttons only (that is, disable the "move the mouse to wake" feature). If not a BIOS Menu Option, it might be in your Control Panel < Mouse menu. If not an CP option, you can disable the "Wake on Mouse" feature and just remember to press a key on your keyboard to wake the computer (assuming "Wake on Keyboard" is enabled in your BIOS setup menu), or get into the habit of flipping your mouse on its back when you step away from your computer.

 

[DustSailor]

I may have figured it out:
1. Lastwake command info

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.3.9600]
(c) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Windows\system32>powercfg lastwake
Wake History Count - 1
Wake History [0]
  Wake Source Count - 1
  Wake Source [0]
    Type: Device
    Instance Path: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8C31&SUBSYS_85341043&REV_05\3&11583659&0&A0
    Friendly Name: Intel(R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller - 0100 (Microsoft
)
    Description: USB xHCI Compliant Host Controller
    Manufacturer: Generic USB xHCI Host Controller
C:\Windows\system32>

My mouse is set to not wake the computer in devices, and it is plugged into a USB 2.0 port. In fact I have 4 USB devices all plugged into 2.0 ports, with nothing in the 3.0. Mouse, keyboard, audio device, and unconnected cord.
I did notice these two devices able to wake the computer:

C:\Windows\system32>powercfg -devicequery wake_armed
HID Keyboard Device
Microsoft USB Dual Receiver Wireless Keyboard (Mouse and Keyboard Center)

My mouse is in fact wireless. Microsoft's M&K Center installed an extra 'device' that is able to wake the computer, the second one listed. I disabled it in devices, and hopefully that is the end of it.
I looked over this step previously but must have missed the second 'device' it, thinking it was connected to either my mouse or keyboard, and not able on its own to wake the computer. This has been... drama.
Thanks for everyone's help though!

 

[Itaregid]

Let's hope it holds.

To be sure, I too use a Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse with 8.1. No problems here with all the settings at default. Not sure why you had to change yours.

 

[DustSailor]

I think I discovered once and for all that it was outlook (and possibly other programs could do the same) that caused the computer not to sleep. It works now I guess. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[Itaregid]

There are any number of programs that can prevent it from going to sleep.

Note I never "shutdown" my computers - I just them go to sleep. And I never reboot unless some update or program install forces me.

Most of the time, my computers will go to sleep as expected for several weeks in a row, then suddenly, I will notice it didn't go to sleep. The monitors are sleeping but not the computer. Typically, simply rebooting will clear the issue and I can go for weeks again without sleep issues.

And BTW, it has been this way forever - that is, from pre-XP days all the way through, and including W8.x.

I have not tried W10 yet, but I don't expect anything different. And FTR, I am not sure this is something Microsoft can fix because I think it is other programs and/or hardware and/or BIOS settings keeping Windows awake - not Windows itself.