How to Enable and Use Hibernate Mode on Windows 11

Quick Tips

• You can use Command Prompt to enable the Hibernate Mode on your Windows 11 computer.
• Use the Control Panel to add the Hibernate option to the power menu.
• When pressing the power button or closing the laptop lid, you can configure Windows 11 to enter the hibernation state.

What Is Hibernate Mode on Windows 11

Hibernation is a power-conserving state in which Windows takes a snapshot of your system and saves that content to your hard drive before turning off the system. When you turn your computer back on, it reads the memory state from storage and restores all your open programs and data exactly as you left them.

How to Enable Hibernate Mode on Windows 11

To use Windows 11’s hibernate mode, you must enable it on your computer. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Terminal (Admin) from the list.

Step 2: Type the following command in the Command Prompt window and press Enter:

powercfg /availablesleepstates

Step 3: Check if the hibernation feature is enabled on your PC. If not, run the following command to enable it.

powercfg.exe /hibernate on

How to Add Hibernate Option to the Power Menu

By default, Windows 11’s power menu does not show the Hibernate option even after enabling it. To add the Hibernate option to the power menu, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Click the search icon on the taskbar, type control panel, and press Enter.

Step 2: Use the drop-down menu at the top-right corner to change the view type to Large icons and select Power Options.

Step 3: Click on Choose what the power buttons do in the left pane.

Step 4: Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.

Step 5: Check the box for Hibernate and click Save changes.

Once you complete the above steps, you should see the Hibernate option in the Windows 11 power menu.

How to Customize and Use Hibernate Mode on Windows 11

If you intend to use hibernate mode frequently, configure Windows to enter the hibernation state when you press the power button or close the laptop lid. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Open the Control Panel on your PC and go to Power Options.

Step 2: Click on Choose what the power buttons do.

Step 3: Use the drop-down menus next to When I press the power button to select Hibernate.

Step 4: For Windows laptops, use the drop-down menus next to When I close the lid to select the Hibernate option.

Step 5: Click on Save changes.

And you’re all set. Windows will enter the hibernation state when you press the power button or close the lid. Conveniently, you can also configure your PC to hibernate automatically after a period of inactivity. Here’s how.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + S to open the search menu. Type edit power plan in the box and select the first result that appears.

Step 2: Click on Change advanced power settings.

Step 3: In the Power Options window, double-click on Sleep to expand it.

Step 4: Expand Hibernate after and use the drop-down menus next to On battery and Plugged in to specify the number of minutes of inactivity, after which your PC should enter hibernation mode. Then, hit Apply, followed by OK.