How to Get Surface Pro Out of Hibernation: Fix It Now!

What to know

Pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds can force your Surface Pro to hibernate.
The simplest way to wake your Surface Pro from hibernation is to press the power button.
Ensure that your power adapter is working properly and that the power cord is securely connected to both the adapter and your Surface Pro.

The Surface Pro is a powerful and versatile device, but sometimes it can get stuck in hibernation mode. This can be frustrating, especially if you need to access your files or use your device urgently. In this blog post, we’ll explore the various ways to get your Surface Pro out of hibernation and back to working order. We’ll discuss the common causes of hibernation, and offer troubleshooting tips to help you regain control of your device.

Understanding Hibernation Mode

Hibernation mode is a power-saving feature designed to preserve battery life and protect your data. When your Surface Pro enters hibernation, it saves the current state of your system to your hard drive and then shuts down completely. This allows your device to resume quickly when you turn it back on, but it can also lead to unexpected issues.

Common Reasons for Surface Pro Hibernation

Here are some common reasons why your Surface Pro might enter hibernation:

Low Battery: Your Surface Pro might automatically hibernate to conserve power if the battery level drops below a certain threshold.
Power Button Press: Pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds can force your Surface Pro to hibernate.
Scheduled Hibernation: You might have configured your Surface Pro to hibernate automatically at certain times, such as when you’re not using it for a while.
System Updates: Sometimes, system updates can trigger hibernation as part of the installation process.
Hardware Issues: In rare cases, faulty hardware components could cause your Surface Pro to enter hibernation unexpectedly.

How to Get Your Surface Pro Out of Hibernation

Now that you understand the reasons behind hibernation, let’s dive into the solutions to get your Surface Pro back up and running.

1. Press the Power Button

The simplest way to wake your Surface Pro from hibernation is to press the power button. If the device is in hibernation, it should respond by booting up normally.

2. Connect to Power

If pressing the power button doesn‘t work, try connecting your Surface Pro to a power source. This might provide enough power for the device to wake up from hibernation.

3. Force Restart

If the power button and power source don‘t work, you can try a force restart. To do this, press and hold the power button for about 30 seconds. This will force the device to shut down completely. After the device shuts down, press the power button again to turn it back on.

4. Check for Hardware Issues

If none of the above solutions work, it’s possible that your Surface Pro is experiencing a hardware issue. Consider checking the following:

Power Adapter: Ensure that your power adapter is working properly and that the power cord is securely connected to both the adapter and your Surface Pro.
Battery: If your Surface Pro’s battery is faulty, it might be preventing the device from waking up from hibernation. Try replacing the battery if you suspect this is the issue.
Surface Connect Port: Ensure that the Surface Connect port is free of debris and that the power adapter is securely plugged in.

5. Run a System Scan

If you suspect a software issue, try running a system scan to check for corrupted files. To do this, open the Start menu, type “cmd”, and right-click on “Command Prompt” to run it as administrator. Then, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. This will scan your system for corrupted files and attempt to repair them.

Preventing Future Hibernation Issues

Here are some tips to prevent your Surface Pro from entering hibernation unexpectedly:

Disable Automatic Hibernation: You can disable automatic hibernation by going to Settings > System > Power & sleep. Under “Power & sleep settings”, click “Additional power settings”. In the Power Options window, click “Change plan settings” next to your current power plan. Then, click “Change advanced power settings”. Expand “Sleep”, then “Hibernate after”. Set the value to “Never”.
Adjust Battery Threshold: You can adjust the battery level at which your Surface Pro enters hibernation. Go to Settings > System > Power & sleep. Under “Power & sleep settings”, click “Additional power settings”. In the Power Options window, click “Change plan settings” next to your current power plan. Then, click “Change advanced power settings”. Expand “Battery”, then “Critical Battery Level”. Adjust the value to your desired percentage.
Keep Your Device Updated: Ensure that your Surface Pro is running the latest Windows updates. This will help to address any known bugs or issues that might cause hibernation problems.

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some additional troubleshooting tips:

Check for Software Conflicts: If you recently installed new software, it might be causing conflicts with your Surface Pro. Try uninstalling the new software to see if that resolves the hibernation issue.
Check for Overheating: If your Surface Pro is overheating, it might be entering hibernation to protect itself. Ensure that your device is not placed in a hot environment and that the cooling vents are not blocked.
Reset Your Surface Pro: If all else fails, you can try resetting your Surface Pro to its factory settings. This will erase all data from your device, so make sure to back up your important files before proceeding.

Final Thoughts: Getting Back to Work

Getting your Surface Pro out of hibernation can be a frustrating experience, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can quickly regain access to your device. Remember to understand the reasons behind hibernation, try the various solutions we’ve discussed, and take steps to prevent future issues. And if you’re still having trouble, don’t hesitate to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.