Windows 8.1 refuses to sleep

[orbitalfenestra]

I've tried the app store but it demands I sign in to an MS account or create one after you enter your local password.

Yes but it's temporally. It's just for ID purposes. It won't stay connected and it won't activate any sync settings as a normal MS login would do. My PC still sleeps like a baby.

 

[caperjack]

You have a point if you don't want to use the app store or onedrive. But, if you do.........

You still can use the app store on a local account. You just need to enter your password each time you want to install an app. It works very well. As for Onedrive, I use Google Drive and box instead. And they are embeded in Windows explorer. There are many solutions to avoid using native MS crap. But yeah, it depends on how you use your PC, but my point is just there are plenty of alternatives.

Good day to all of you frustrated Win 8.1 users!! XD

using google instead of microsoft , thats like the lesser of 2 evils .

 

[orbitalfenestra]

At least Google Drive doesn't prevent sleep... Casperjack!

My configuration is really stable right now.

 

[caperjack]

At least Google Drive doesn't prevent sleep... Casperjack!

My configuration is really stable right now.

I don't use or need something like one drive or google drive ,so my configuration is just fine too

 

[Gork]

Who does need a MS. Account on a PC anyway? It's totally useless.

Your succinct comment made me think that perhaps you have a point. I've liked the idea of trying "the new thing" and using "the new feature." As silly as it sounds, I like that so many of my Windows settings are backed up to the cloud. It makes installing from scratch just that much easier. But right now I only have one computer with Win8/.1 so, at least for now, the multiple computer sign on with the same username is a moot point. HOWEVER, one day before too much longer I hope, this will matter more to me as I upgrade my old computers to Win8. I also like if I install Windows from scratch I don't have set every single OS/GUI option back up... But how often and how hard does this really impact my life?

Pros:
Save windows settings online - use sign in across multiple computers. I REALLY LIKE this feature.

Cons:
Can't use the local username I want - am forced to use a firstname/lastname type of thing. HATE THIS.
Computer doesn't sleep. HATE THIS EVEN WORSE!

MEHs:
OneDrive sync directly through the OS. I don't care about this.
Auto sync files to OneDrive directly through the OS. Don't care.
App store integration. As seldom as I use the silly service, it won't really impact me that much.

I would LOVE it if this MS signon feature worked as intended, but I really feel MS has a bug on their hands they're not bothering to squash. Perhaps like so many other features they'll abandon it and move on - who knows. I guess I have to decide if being able to sleep or being able to use the same signon on with the same various OS settings across all computer signons is more important to me.

 

[NCguy]

Personally If I were going to ditch all the Windows 8 cloud features then I would probably be on the fast track to ditching Windows altogether. My Chromebook isn't going to replace my Windows 8.1 PC today but I definitely see where this is headed.
Windows is doomed IMO if people using it avoid the online features.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

I'm not trying to be a smart ass, not trying to start an argument, nor put anyone's opinion down. I'll just try to explain my point of view. I'll try my best to stick to the facts.

Not saying it isn't a bug in the OS, but no one has proven that. In the beginning, Windows OS's weren't known to be the most stable. I think all would agree that with 7 MS proved they can be.

I sign into my tower PC and Lumia with my MS account and they are configured to use MS services, of which I enjoy and find handy using as many do, although I realize many don't. Never had a problem with sleep on my tower just as many others don't. My Lumia screen shuts off as configured also.

This is what I mean by the variables of one system vs another. Some systems have no sleep problem at all. What fixes the problem on one machine with the problem may not work on another. This is the stumper of this problem. Usually a solution or update fixes all systems. Obviously not so here.

So far as the Cloud is concerned > Just as we are our best AV, anti-adware, anti-scams, and the like > We need to use some sense with the Cloud. I absolutely do not store personally sensitive data in it. Settings, favorites, pics, calendar, and email are about it. If I get an email with sensitive context and/or attachments I'll download the attachments and delete the email. I'll follow up and ask the sender to do the same. I have a standard script that I copy and paste to do so. The same goes with texts on a phone.

Good luck to those with the sleep problem. I know how frustrating it is when my system doesn't work as expected!

 

[orbitalfenestra]

Well, you guys had very interesting point of view! xD I didn't see it that way... For my part, I've experienced the issue when I first updated through the store last november, so I went here to find an answer.

After that, I've clean installed 8.1 from scratch without any sync whatsoever and the problem is gone since then.

I think we could all agree on something: Problem or not, Windows should at least say something with POWERCFG /REQUESTS. That's what I find really annoying in this story. Before 8.1, all sleep problems were manageable: it wasn't always that easy, but if you were willing to to it, a little search on the web, few commands, a reboot or two and it was solved.

When I first try, Win 8, I was really happy to have sync features, but it felt that Win 8 is a transition to something else. For instance, why the hell does half of the parameters is in the good old control panel and the other half in modern UI? It's confusing and counter productive.

 

[caperjack]

I just recently turned one drive and all sync function back on and my win8.1.1 enterprise is still sleeping on time ,haven't shutdown tower yet to see if it keeps working

why the hell half of the parameters are in the good old control panel and the other half in modern UI?

just for clarity ,what is this in reference to ,and what half are in modern ui

 

[orbitalfenestra]

I just recently turned one drive and all sync function back on and my win8.1.1 enterprise is still sleeping on time ,haven't shutdown tower yet to see if it keeps working

why the hell half of the parameters are in the good old control panel and the other half in modern UI?

just for clarity ,what is this in reference to ,and what half are in modern ui

It was just meant as an example for Win 8 to be a transition Windows. Example: why when I go to control panel, account settings then modify, does it switch to Modern UI?? My point is why do I sometimes find a parameter in MUI and sometimes in C panel?

I think this transition Windows is not complete yet and the power management just didn't followed the New Windows and the sleep issue is related to that.

 

[caperjack]

ok,got it, but I see no issue with it going to modern to make the changes

 

[orbitalfenestra]

I was off topic a little, I must admit. sorry for that! xD

 

[Faolan]

I found another cause for Windows 8.1's sleeplessness. I finally had a perfectly sleeping system until I started tinkering with Windows Error reporting (werfault.exe) or more specifically since I tried to disable it. After using Image File Execution Options to keep werfault.exe from running, my PC would (again) only sleep once or twice after a reboot then stay awake until the next reboot. Luckily, reverting the changes brought back my reliably sleeping PC.

Still, it got me curious, so I tried several solutions to disable Windows Error reporting:

• Using Image File Execution Options: sleepless
• Disabling "Windows Error Reporting Service" in Services: sleep ok
• via Local Group Policy Editor: sleep ok
• via Local Security Policy: sleep ok
• Selecting a program (I used "explorer.exe") to exclude from reporting: sleepless

I have no clue why and if it is only the case on my PC. But it may help someone.

I use a MS account and OneDrive, but I have disabled HomeGroup (since I don't use it). (Sorry for my English. I am not a native speaker.)

 

[NCguy]

I found another cause for Windows 8.1's sleeplessness. I finally had a perfectly sleeping system until I started tinkering with Windows Error reporting (werfault.exe) or more specifically since I tried to disable it. After using Image File Execution Options to keep werfault.exe from running, my PC would (again) only sleep once or twice after a reboot then stay awake until the next reboot. Luckily, reverting the changes brought back my reliably sleeping PC.

Still, it got me curious, so I tried several solutions to disable Windows Error reporting:

• Using Image File Execution Options: sleepless
• Disabling "Windows Error Reporting Service" in Services: sleep ok
• via Local Group Policy Editor: sleep ok
• via Local Security Policy: sleep ok
• Selecting a program (I used "explorer.exe") to exclude from reporting: sleepless

I have no clue why and if it is only the case on my PC. But it may help someone.

I use a MS account and OneDrive, but I have disabled HomeGroup (since I don't use it). (Sorry for my English. I am not a native speaker.)

English is excellent. Thanks, great contribution!

 

[orbitalfenestra]

I found another cause for Windows 8.1's sleeplessness. I finally had a perfectly sleeping system until I started tinkering with Windows Error reporting (werfault.exe) or more specifically since I tried to disable it. After using Image File Execution Options to keep werfault.exe from running, my PC would (again) only sleep once or twice after a reboot then stay awake until the next reboot. Luckily, reverting the changes brought back my reliably sleeping PC.

Still, it got me curious, so I tried several solutions to disable Windows Error reporting:

• Using Image File Execution Options: sleepless
• Disabling "Windows Error Reporting Service" in Services: sleep ok
• via Local Group Policy Editor: sleep ok
• via Local Security Policy: sleep ok
• Selecting a program (I used "explorer.exe") to exclude from reporting: sleepless

I have no clue why and if it is only the case on my PC. But it may help someone.

I use a MS account and OneDrive, but I have disabled HomeGroup (since I don't use it). (Sorry for my English. I am not a native speaker.)

Nice find! but why disable Windows error reporting?

 

[linw]

Why disable error reporting? Maybe because it gets his comp sleeping again?

But, yes, we shouldn't have to cripple our comps to get sleep but this may be a pointer to what is really wrong. Doubtful whether it will get us to the ideal state but, nonetheless, all such pointers are well worth discussing or noting.

We know that cutting off the Internet fixes the problem for a lot of us. Maybe we keep getting errors that are being phoned home?? Maybe there are only some comps that have these errors which explains why some work and some don't???? We also need to explain why a reboot or logout/login sequence will restart sleep for a period of time.

Anyway, in the interests of science, I will try stopping error reporting. Back in a couple of days with the results.

And, Faolan, like Ncguy says, your English is excellent. So, no more apologies on that score!

 

[orbitalfenestra]

"I finally had a perfectly sleeping system until I started tinkering with Windows Error reporting (werfault.exe) or more specifically since I tried to disable it."

... So don't play with it lol

 

[linw]

Oooops!! Sort of tells us again that there ain't no such thing as A solution.

(@Faolan - don't copy my English!).

 

[Gork]

Not sure what @Faolan is actually trying to say...

This makes is sound like disabling werfault.exe caused sleeplessness:

I found another cause for Windows 8.1's sleeplessness. I finally had a perfectly sleeping system until I ... I tried to disable {Windows Error reporting} (werfault.exe). After {keeping} werfault.exe from running, my PC would ... stay awake until the next reboot. ... reverting the changes brought back my reliably sleeping PC.

But this seems to indicate sleep works properly after disabling werfault.exe:

Disabling "Windows Error Reporting Service" in Services: sleep ok

Am I confused? Are "Windows Error Reporting Service" and "Windows Error reporting (werfault.exe)" actually two different things?

 

[linw]

I can see where your confusion lies.

I checked my Windows Error reporting service and it is already stopped. Don't know how that is. Mmmmm.