How to disable and re-enable hibernation on a computer that is running Windows

INTRODUCTION

This article describes how to disable and then re-enable hibernation on a computer that is running Windows.

Warning You may lose data if you make hibernation unavailable and a power loss occurs while the hybrid sleep setting is turned on. When you make hibernation unavailable, hybrid sleep does not work.

More information

The Hiberfil.sys hidden system file is located in the root folder of the drive where the operating system is installed. The Windows Kernel Power Manager reserves this file when you install Windows. The size of this file is approximately equal to how much random access memory (RAM) is installed on the computer.

The computer uses the Hiberfil.sys file to store a copy of the system memory on the hard disk when the hybrid sleep setting is turned on. If this file is not present, the computer cannot hibernate.

To have us disable and enable hibernation for you, visit the "Fix it for me" section. If you prefer to fix this problem yourself, visit the "Let me fix it myself" section.

Fix it for me

To fix this problem automatically, click the Fix it button or link. Click Runin the File Download dialog box, and follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.

Microsoft Fix it

Microsoft Fix it

Notes

• This wizard may be in English only. However, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.
• If you are not on the computer that has the problem, save the Fix it solution to a flash drive or a CD and then run it on the computer that has the problem.
• The sleep or hibernate options may not be available for one or more of the following reasons:
  
  
  
• Your video card may not support the sleep function. In this case, update the driver for your video card, or check the video card information and supported drivers that was included with your computer. For more information, seeUpdate drivers: recommended links.
• Some settings are managed by the system administrator. For more information, see Why won't Windows allow me to change a system setting?
• Sleep and other power saving states may be turned off in the BIOS of your computer. To turn on the sleep function, restart your computer, and then enter the BIOS setup. When your computer starts, instructions typically appear on the screen to indicate the key or keyboard shortcut that you must press to enter the BIOS setup process. Because not all computer manufacturers use the same BIOS, different keys may be assigned for this purpose.
• If the hibernation option is missing, you may have the hybrid sleep option turned on.

Then, visit the "Did this fix the problem?" section.

Let me fix it myself

To make hibernation unavailable, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then type cmd in the Start Search box.
2. In the search results list, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as Administrator.
3. When you are prompted by User Account Control, click Continue.
4. At the command prompt, type powercfg.exe /hibernate off, and then press Enter.
5. Type exit, and then press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.

To make hibernation available, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then type cmd in the Start Search box.
2. In the search results list, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as Administrator.
3. When you are prompted by User Account Control, click Continue.
4. At the command prompt, type powercfg.exe /hibernate on, and then press Enter.
5. Type exit, and then press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.

Did this fix the problem?

• Check whether the problem is fixed. If the problem is fixed, you are finished with this section. If the problem is not fixed, you can contact support.
• We appreciate your feedback. To provide feedback or to report any issues with this solution, please leave a comment on the "Fix it for me" blog or send us an email.