Laptop keeps going to sleep or hibernate immediately after turning on

[NJH60]

My son's laptop keeps randomly going to sleep or hibernates (I am not sure which). It sometimes does this immediately after powering on or waking up and can do it repeatedly. Sometimes it takes many key presses even to turn it on.

I am wondering if the power key is sticking or malfunctioning. Am I on the right track? If so, how can I find the replacement keyboard part number - a UK keyboard.

If I am not on the right track, what else can I try?

[Garp_senchau]

@NJH60, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

Determine If It’s Sleep, Hibernate, or Shutdown

Listen carefully when the laptop shuts off—do fans stop completely?

Observe LED indicators (keyboard backlight, power light, etc.)

If the power LED blinks slowly, it's likely in sleep mode.

If all lights are off, it may be hibernating or shut down.

Software Troubleshooting

Check Power Settings

Open Control Panel → Power Options or search "Power & Sleep Settings".

Under "Additional power settings" → "Change plan settings" → "Change advanced power settings", check:

Sleep → Sleep after: Set to a higher value or "Never".

Sleep → Hibernate after: Set to "Never".

Power buttons and lid → Power button action: Should be "Do nothing" or "Sleep", not "Shut down".

Lid close action: Ensure it isn’t set to hibernate or shut down.

Disable Fast Startup

Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.

Click “Change settings that are currently unavailable”.

Uncheck "Turn on fast startup".

Save and reboot.

BIOS Update / Settings

Visit HP’s support page for the Victus 16-s0000 series and install the latest BIOS and chipset drivers:

HP Support - Victus by HP 16.1 inch Gaming Laptop PC 16-s0000 IDS Base Model Software and Driver Downloads | HP® ...

Also, in BIOS (tap F10 at startup):

Look for Power Management or Wake Options.

Restore BIOS to default settings.

Hardware Troubleshooting

Sticking or Faulty Power Button?

Signs of a malfunctioning power button include:

Laptop turns off right after turning on

Intermittent or delayed power-on

Repeated shutdowns during boot or login

Physical resistance or clicking sensation issues

How to Test:

Try booting the laptop using AC power only, with the battery removed (if accessible), to rule out battery issues.

Boot using external keyboard (connect via USB), then observe behavior.

Gently press the power button—does it feel sticky or overly sensitive?

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

[NJH60]

I am really struggling here. The laptop finally started yesterday so I let my son play on it for a bit. Today it shuts down every time it starts.

It is not going to sleep as the power button does not flash, so it looks like it is going to hibernate, I think, during some troubleshooting a few days ago, I changed the Power button action to Do nothing, but I can't check for the moment until I can get the machine working.

The principal symptoms are the laptop shutting down/hibernating immediately after powering it on and at random times when using it.

I have an external USB keyboard connected but the laptop does not appear to respond to the power button. Could the USB also be powering down?

I can try opening the laptop and removing the battery, but I have failed to find instructions. Are you able to help?

Also how can I find the replacement keyboard number? It is a UK keyboard and the Laptop product number is 876Z7EA#ABU, which, I believe is a 16-S0005NA.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @NJH60,

We understand how important it is to have your device functioning properly, and we're here to assist you.​

To ensure your device receives the appropriate care, we recommend visiting an authorized HP service center. Our certified technicians can provide a thorough diagnosis and offer the best solutions to address the issue.​

You can locate the nearest HP service center using our Service Center Locator:​

🔗 HP Service Center Locator

If you need further assistance or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.​

Best Regards,

[NJH60]

Thanks. I checked a packaged insurance on Friday and it turns out the laptop is covered so I have arranged for it to be repaired through the insurers. It is a real pity for a laptop that is only 18 months old.