
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth disappear after sleep mode? Here’s how to wake them up for good!
In today’s world, staying connected is essential. Whether it’s for work, gaming, or streaming, your home network, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, plays a crucial role. But what happens when they suddenly vanish after your Windows device wakes up from sleep mode? This frustrating issue affects many users, causing connectivity problems that disrupt daily tasks. Let’s dive into the reasons behind this problem and explore effective solutions.
Why Do Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Disappear After Sleep Mode?
There are several reasons why your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections disappear or lost after your computer wakes from sleep mode. These include:
Power Management Settings: Windows sometimes disables network adapters to save power.
Outdated or Corrupt Drivers: If your network or Bluetooth drivers are outdated or corrupted, they may fail to restart after sleep.
Fast Startup Issues: The Fast Startup feature in Windows can cause network connectivity issues.
Conflicts with Windows Updates: Some Windows updates can interfere with the proper functioning of network adapters.
BIOS and Firmware Glitches: Sometimes, outdated BIOS or firmware settings can lead to connectivity problems.
Now that we understand the possible causes, let’s move on to the solutions.
How to Fix Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Disappearing After Sleep Mode?
1. Restart Your Device
A simple restart can often fix minor software glitches. Before diving into complex solutions, restart your computer and see if Wi-Fi and Bluetooth return.
2. Disable Power Management for Network Adapters
Windows automatically disables some devices to conserve power. To stop this from affecting your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:
- Press
Windows + X
and select Device Manager. - Expand Network Adapters and right-click your Wi-Fi adapter.
- Select Properties, go to the Power Management tab, and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
- Do the same for the Bluetooth adapter under Bluetooth in Device Manager.
3. Update or Reinstall Network and Bluetooth Drivers
Outdated drivers can cause connectivity issues. To update your drivers:
Open Device Manager.
Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers and install any available updates.
Repeat this for the Bluetooth adapter.
If updating doesn’t work, right-click the device and select Uninstall device, then restart your PC to reinstall the drivers automatically.
4. Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup can cause hardware components to misbehave after sleep mode. To disable it:
Open the Control Panel and go to Power Options.
Click Choose what the power buttons do on the left panel.
Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
Click Save changes and restart your computer.
5. Check Windows Updates and Roll Back If Needed
Sometimes, Windows updates can cause unexpected issues. To check for updates:
- Open Settings (
Windows + I
). - Click Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Check for updates and install any available ones.
If the problem started after a recent update, rolling back might help:
Go to Device Manager and right-click the network adapter.
Select Properties > Driver tab.
Click Roll Back Driver if the option is available.
6. Run the Windows Troubleshooter
Windows has built-in troubleshooters for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues:
Open Settings (
Windows + I
).Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Click Additional troubleshooters.
Select Internet Connections and run the troubleshooter.
Scroll down and run the Bluetooth troubleshooter as well.
7. Reset Network Settings
If nothing else works, resetting network settings can help:
Open Settings (
Windows + I
).Go to Network & Internet > Status.
Scroll down and click Network reset.
Click Reset now and restart your PC.
8. Update BIOS and Firmware
Outdated BIOS or firmware can cause hardware conflicts. To update BIOS:
Identify your motherboard model (
Windows + R
, typemsinfo32
, and press Enter).Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest BIOS update.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to update BIOS carefully.
9. Disable USB Selective Suspend
This feature can interfere with Bluetooth connections:
Open Control Panel > Power Options.
Click Change plan settings next to your active plan.
Click Change advanced power settings.
Expand USB settings > USB selective suspend setting.
Set both options to Disabled.
Click Apply and restart your PC.
10. Perform a System Restore
If the problem started recently, restoring your system to a previous point might fix it:
Type Create a restore point in the Windows search bar and open it.
Click System Restore > Next.
Select a restore point before the issue started.
Click Next > Finish to restore your system.
Final Thoughts
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth disappear after Windows sleep mode, causing a common yet frustrating issue. Thankfully, there are multiple ways to fix it, from tweaking power settings to updating drivers and resetting network configurations. By following these solutions, you should be able to restore your connectivity and prevent the problem from happening again.
If you’re in Sydney, Australia, and facing persistent connectivity issues, Computer Repairs Sydney offers expert troubleshooting and repair services for all laptop and PC problems. Whether it’s Wi-Fi failures, Bluetooth malfunctions, or hardware repairs, their team is ready to help.