Computer Wont Automatically Sleep or Hibertnate

[MadVillainy]

This Dell Inspiron Laptop I have will not go to sleep like it's supposed to after a certain amount of time of inactivity. Ive tried to change the power settings, I've looked into if it has a wake timer and still nothing

Can anyone please help me with this

 

[Mister J]

I had this issue a couple of times on a Dell desktop (Dimension).

Once, I ended up having to adjust the control panel setting for my USB ports. Either my mouse or some connections I had on the ports had the unit thinking it was always active. Of course, this was after I had picked up a new mouse. So if you haven't added any new hardware as such, the problem likely lies elsewhere.

The other time, I was behind on a scheduled Windows update and it kicked back in after that.

I've also noticed, on the old machine and my new one, that hibernation will stall out if I have some video application open; whether it be streaming or paused.

 

[MadVillainy]

Im up to date on all Windows Updates (save for Bing Bar update) and I dont even use Bing

and I dont use a mouse or anything.

and even when a video application isnt open it cant hibernate or sleep

 

[<(o_o)>]

Have you tried a system restore to an earlier time when it would have still worked?

 

[Teelie]

There are other programs that will prevent a computer from sleeping or hibernating besides video applications. If you have something like that running constantly, even in the background, it might be the problem.

 

[MadVillainy]

Have you tried a system restore to an earlier time when it would have still worked?

would that cause my computer to lose files

 

[the dmg]

Was there any previous issues with it hibernating before?

What version of Windows are you running? Was it upgraded from a previous version?

 

[MadVillainy]

I dont remember having issues hibernating before.

Im running Windows 7. I actually downgraded from Windows 8 to Windows 7 after my harddrive crashed a few months ago

 

[the dmg]

I would check the BIOS and see if it is somehow disabled there. Then you should check your video card settings as it sometimes changes things automatically and if you have Origin or Steam, I believe they default to making sure the computer doesn't hibernate or sleep so that it doesn't interrupt downloads.

If those aren't what the problem is, then you could try this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/920730