1. Disable Mouse and Keyboard Wake-Up Settings
The first and most straightforward step is to disable the mouse and keyboard wake-up settings. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to Control Panel and click on Power Options.
- Select the current power plan and click on Change plan settings.
- Click on Change advanced power settings.
- Expand the Sleep section and then the Allow wake timers section.
- Select Disable for both On battery and Plugged in options.
- Click on Apply and then OK to save the changes.
2. Disable Wake on LAN
Wake on LAN allows a network device to wake up your computer, but it can also cause your computer to wake up at random times. Here’s how to disable Wake on LAN:
- Go to Device Manager and expand the Network adapters section.
- Right-click on the network adapter and select Properties.
- Click on the Power Management tab.
- Uncheck the Allow this device to wake the computer option.
- Click on OK to save the changes.
3. Update or Roll Back Drivers
Outdated or faulty drivers can cause your mouse or keyboard to wake up your computer. Updating or rolling back drivers can help fix this issue. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to Device Manager and expand the Keyboards or Mice and other pointing devices section.
- Right-click on the device and select Properties.
- Click on the Driver tab.
- Click on Update Driver to check for updates.
- If there’s an update available, click on Install.
- If the issue persists, click on Roll Back Driver to revert to the previous version.
4. Use a Third-Party Tool
If the above methods don’t work for you, you can use a third-party tool like Nirsoft WakeMeOnLan or WakeupOnStandBy to prevent mouse and keyboard from waking Windows. These tools allow you to disable wake-up events for specific devices and customize wake-up settings.
5. Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup is a feature that allows your computer to start up faster, but it can also cause your computer to wake up at random times. Here’s how to disable Fast Startup:
- Go to Control Panel and click on Power Options.
- Click on Choose what the power buttons do.
- Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Scroll down and uncheck the Turn on fast startup (recommended) option.
- Click on Save changes to apply the settings.
6. Check for Malware
Malware can cause your mouse or keyboard to wake up your computer as part of its malicious activities. Installing and running a reputable anti-malware software can help detect and remove any malware on your computer.
7. Contact Support
If none of the above methods work, you can contact the manufacturer’s support team for further assistance. They may be able to provide you with a solution or repair your device if necessary.
FAQs
Q: Why does my mouse or keyboard wake up my computer?
A: By default, Windows allows certain devices to wake up your computer to perform tasks like updates or backups. However, this can also cause your computer to wake up at random times due to mouse or keyboard movements.
Q: Can I prevent specific devices from waking up my computer?
A: Yes, you can use third-party tools like Nirsoft WakeMeOnLan or WakeupOnStandBy to disable wake-up events for specific devices.
Q: Why does my computer wake up at random times even when I’m not using it?
A: This could be due to various reasons like outdated drivers, malware, or faulty hardware. Try the above methods to fix the issue, or contact support for further assistance.
Q: Will disabling wake timers affect my computer’s performance?
A: No, disabling wake timers will not affect your computer’s performance. It only prevents certain tasks from waking up your computer from sleep mode.
Q: Can I still use Fast Startup if I disable it?
A: No, you cannot use Fast Startup if you disable it. However, this feature is not essential, and disabling it will not affect your computer’s performance significantly.