How to Fix Internet Disconnects When Computer Sleeps

Does your internet automatically disconnect when your computer goes to sleep? Or does your Windows 10 PC drop the WiFi connection every time you lock the screen? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you have come to the right place.

We have received many queries from users regarding this issue, and as a result, we have put together a comprehensive guide to fix the problem. That being said, it is worth noting that this “internet disconnection” issue presents itself in various forms.

For some users, the WiFi connection keeps dropping randomly. Then there are cases where the user loses all network connections after waking up their PC from sleep mode. And finally, a few users complained about getting logged out from the internet after locking their screen manually or automatically.

On the surface, all these problems seem similar, but the underlying issue that’s causing it can vary greatly from PC to PC. Therefore, we have compiled a list of 9 potential fixes depending on the various potential problems.

We have arranged them in a list starting with the most likely solution that helped the maximum number of users. And so, we recommend that you try out the solutions one after the other and see which method fixes your internet disconnection problem.

So without further ado, here’s our detailed guide on how to fix internet disconnects when the computer sleeps:

Note: This guide is designed with Windows 10 PC in mind. However, the solutions discussed should apply to older versions. But do note that the location of the settings will differ.

1. Diagnose The Issue using Network Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in diagnostic tool – Network Troubleshooter, to help you fix the most common network problems.

After waking your PC from Sleep, launch the Network Troubleshooter if you are disconnected from the Wi-Fi. It will run a few diagnostic tests and hopefully tell you where the problem lies and how to fix it.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to launch and use Network Troubleshooter in case you have never used it before:

1. Right-click on the network icon in the Windows system tray at the bottom right-hand corner. On the pop-up menu, click on Troubleshoot problems. This will launch the Network Troubleshooter.
2. Wait as the Network Troubleshooter tries to detect where the problem lies and fixes it.
3. Some problems will get automatically fixed, whereas others will require manual intervention from the user, in which case the tool provides online resources for the user to follow.

If Network Troubleshooter states that the problem has been resolved, manually put your computer to sleep, wake it up, and see if you can connect to the internet.

In case the issue is resolved, then great! But if it’s not, then move on to the next step.

Note: Even if the issue gets fixed, it might not be a permanent solution. As such, you will be required to run Network Troubleshooter every time Windows disconnects from your wireless network.

2. Disable “Turn off this device to save power” Feature

Another common reason for WiFi network issues when the computer sleeps is related to the Windows power options. Sometimes, a misconfigured Power Management plan might automatically turn off the wireless adapter when the computer enters sleep mode. This can happen either after a significant system update or it might even be the default configuration provided by your PC manufacturer.

Whatever the case, this issue can be quickly resolved if you change advanced power settings. To do this, follow the given steps:

1. Press Windows Key + X together. This will open the Quick Link menu right above the start button. Select “Device Manager” from the list of options it presents.
2. Now, in the Device Manager, search for the option “Network Adapters” and expand it.
3. Next, right-click on the adapter and select Properties.
4. Inside Properties, switch to the Power Management tab and ensure the option “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” is unchecked.
5. Click Ok and exit the Device Manager.

Now, check and see if the network issue is resolved or not.

3. Reconfigure Power & Sleep Mode Settings

Besides the Power Management Settings, some users also had to tweak the Power & Sleep settings to fix the problem. To do this, follow the steps provided below:

1. Open the Windows Settings app. To do this, either search for “Settings” in the start menu or press Windows Key + I.
2. In the Settings app, go to the System section.
3. Now, navigate to the Power & Sleep section from the left-hand panel.
4. Scroll down to the bottom and find a section headed WiFi. Check both boxes here, and you should be good.

If your wireless network issues stemmed from misconfigured power settings, then the last two steps should have resolved them. But if you are still facing problems, fear not and read on.

4. Disable Ethernet When Using Wi-Fi

If your Ethernet is enabled while using WiFi, Windows might get mixed signals regarding which one to use—as such, disabling Ethernet might fix the problem with your WiFi connection.

In case you don’t know how to disable Ethernet, follow the steps below:

1. Right-click on the network icon in the system tray in the bottom right-hand corner.
2. Click on “Open Network and Sharing Center.”
3. Locate your Ethernet connection, right-click on it, and click on disable.

Alternatively, you can pull out the Ethernet cable to disable the ethernet connection.

Does this fix your network problem or disconnect you from the internet?

5. Disable Antivirus or Firewall

Are you using a third-party Antivirus or Firewall software on your Windows 10 PC? If yes, it might be why you are getting disconnected. However, it’s a bit hard to know for sure whether it’s causing the issue.

As such, we recommend you deactivate the antivirus software or firewall and then check to see if the issue persists. If it’s still present, then uninstall them and check again.

If this fixes the issue, the problem was related to your Antivirus or Firewall, and you might need to get a new one.

6. Switch Network Connection From Public to Private

If the wireless network you connected to is set to Public, it can cause these disconnection issues. Public networks generally use a different set of rules which can automatically disconnect the PC when it goes into sleep mode.

To fix them, you must reconfigure your public to private network.

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon on the System tray at the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Open its Properties.
3. Now go to the option “Make this PC discoverable” and enable it.

With this option enabled, the wireless connection will automatically change to Private, solving the issue.

7. Uncheck IPv6

Misconfigured IPv6 protocol can lead to wireless connectivity problems. To see if that’s causing your problems, go and disable IPv6 and see if that fixes the issue.

Here’s a guide on how to do this:

1. First, go to the Control Panel.
2. Under the “Network and Internet” heading, locate the “View Network Status” option.
3. Here you will find the “Network and Sharing Center” option. Click on it.
4. Now click on Change Network Adapter Settings.
5. Locate the IPv6 section and disable it.

Restart your system and see if you’re still disconnecting from your network after sleep mode.

8. Disable Require Sign-in

After waking your Windows 10 PC from Sleep mode, you’ll face the lock screen. According to some users, the network disconnection issue happens every time they visit the lock screen.

You can lock your screen manually to see if you are still connected. If the WiFi is disconnecting for you, too, after going to the lock screen, disabling it can fix the issue.

Now to disable the lock screen, follow the given steps:

1. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
2. Next, go to the Accounts Section.
3. From the lefthand menu, go to Sign-in options.
4. Under the Require Sign-in dropdown selector, pick Never.

Once configured, restart your system for the change to take place.

9. Do a System Restore

If all the previously discussed steps fail, you might need a system restore to fix the issue.

In case you don’t know, a System Restore is a Windows feature that will restore your Windows PC to a previous point, reverting all changed system settings and uninstalling new apps and programs. However, all your data, like documents and images, remain untouched.

If the connection issue happens suddenly, it might be because of a newly installed app or changed settings. As such, they are doing a system restore that should resolve the issue.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do a System Restore in case you don’t know:

1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings App and type “System Restore” in the search bar.
2. Select the option – Create a restore point.
3. A new System Properties window should now appear. Click on System Restore.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the System Restore.

Once your Windows 10 PC is restored, your network connection issue should be fixed.

Wrapping Up

So this was our comprehensive guide on how to fix Internet disconnects when the computer sleeps. We hope you found this article helpful and that it helped you get your wireless network working correctly.

Now, let us know which method ultimately resolved the problem for you. Likewise, if none of these methods helped, but something else did, then tell us what it was. Your fellow readers will greatly benefit from as many solutions as possible.