Random sleep mode trigger without display waking

[JustinCase1971]

SSD boot, SATA data drive. My desktop PC recently started having a strange issue out of the blue. While using the PC, I heard the click and spindown noise you get when shutting down or going into sleep mode, and the display loses signal but you hear the computer running still, but no display response. A couple times I could push the power/sleep button on the keyboard and trigger sleep, then wake/resume only to have the screen show for a few seconds then the same behavior.  I tried holding the power button down for a few seconds to power down, then pressing it again woke the PC, with all windows apps still open (it didn't actually shut down which this typically does!) then the same issue immediately.

after a few attempts to unplug and restart, it loaded windows and I used it for most of my workday, then out of the blue it happened again and now I'm unable to get a successful full OS load, it gets to the login screen, sometimes long enough to start sign-in then the same issue, you hear the click/spindown then immediately (even before this completes) it sounds like it's back awake but no video. Usually this happens within one second.

I ran a the HP extensive system test overnight, (selected "run until failure") and nothing failed. I spent years long ago as a PC tech and have worked with PC's for mot of my life and have never experienced anything like this! It's clearly a hardware issue of some type, but when it does reinitiate the video after a few button pushes (without power cycling) it is always where it left off, at login or in windows like nothing happened until the issue repeats.

I'd appreciate any troubleshooting advice or assistance, thank in advance!

[Alden4 · Accepted solution]

Hi @JustinCase1971,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

This behavior is indeed peculiar and suggests a potential hardware or firmware issue. Here’s a structured troubleshooting plan to isolate and resolve the problem.

Check Power Management Settings

• Disable Sleep Mode:
  • Go to Control Panel > Power Options and set the power plan to High Performance.
  • Set all sleep-related options (like “Turn off display,” “Put the computer to sleep”) to Never.
• USB Selective Suspend:
  • Navigate to Change Advanced Power Settings > USB settings, and disable USB selective suspend.
• Hybrid Sleep:
  • Under Sleep settings, disable Hybrid Sleep.

Test for Overheating

Sometimes, a sudden spindown noise followed by the PC seemingly returning to life can result from a thermal safety mechanism.

• Check Temperatures:
  • Enter the BIOS or use tools like HWMonitor or CoreTemp to monitor CPU and GPU temperatures.
• Inspect Cooling System:
  • Ensure fans are spinning and the heat sink is securely mounted.
  • Clean out dust if present.

Inspect and Test Storage Devices

An SSD or HDD failure could mimic these symptoms.

• Run Diagnostics:
  • Use CrystalDiskInfo or the built-in CHKDSK tool (chkdsk /f /r) to verify disk health.
• SATA Power/Data Cables:
  • Reseat the connections to the SSD and SATA drives to ensure proper contact.
• Test Boot with Only the SSD:
  • Disconnect the SATA data drive and test to see if the behavior persists.

BIOS and Firmware

• Update BIOS:
  • Ensure the BIOS is updated to the latest version from HP’s support website.
• Reset BIOS Settings:
  • Enter BIOS and load default settings to eliminate misconfigurations.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A failing PSU might not deliver consistent power, causing strange shutdowns or sleep issues.

• Inspect PSU:
  • Listen for unusual noises or coil whine.
  • Check if the PSU fan is spinning.
• Test with Another PSU:
  • If possible, swap the PSU with a known-good one to see if the issue resolves.

[Alden4]

Graphics Card

The display losing signal while the PC appears to stay operational may point to a GPU issue.

• Test the GPU:
  • Reseat the graphics card in its slot.
  • If your desktop has integrated graphics, temporarily remove the discrete GPU and connect the monitor to the integrated graphics port to test.

Memory (RAM)

Faulty RAM can cause intermittent issues.

• Reseat RAM:
  • Remove and reinstall RAM sticks to ensure proper connection.
• Run MemTest86:
  • Test for memory errors.

Software Conflicts

If this is not hardware-related, consider software as a culprit.

• Perform a Clean Boot:
  • Use MSConfig to disable all non-Microsoft services and startup programs, then reboot.
• Check Event Viewer:
  • Look for errors under Windows Logs > System or Application around the time of the issue.

Monitor and Cables

• Try a Different Monitor/Cable:
  • Swap out the monitor or use a different HDMI/DisplayPort cable to rule out display-related problems.
• Test on Another System:
  • Connect your monitor to another PC or device to ensure it’s functioning correctly.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support 

[JustinCase1971]

Hi Alden,

Thanks much for the detailed diagnostic steps. I had not logged back in to update this question yet, and seem to have resolved it while encountering an entirely new issue in the process. I had seen many of these suggestions in another thread, and blew out all dust from the unit but as it still happened instantly on startup on a cold system after sitting overnight I had ruled out temp issues. I checked all connections to the main board & removed the NVIDIA GPU & SATA drive, and all USB components outside of mouse/keyboard and the problem persisted, so I reinstalled my SATA drive and kept trying to get it to log into windows. When I was finally able to get the windows login to complete, I disabled the sleep functions and updated the drivers from the HP site including the BIOS.

I did not experience any issues during the process and Windows was functioning fine, so I reinstalled the GPU but the system would not recognize it after the BIOS update! I was unable to locate an older version of the BIOS version on the downloads page and had no option to contact HP other than paid call support, so I opened a new thread.  Perhaps you can check it out and chime in there, I'll update that one now as I found an older BIOS version and still no joy. Thanks again!
Thanks again for your help, I'll update the thread