Windows DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE error

Question

Windows DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE error.

Cause

This error is generated when a driver does not work when Windows changes between power modes. For example going into or coming out of hibernation or Standby.

Answer

Install the latest drivers

This issue is almost always due to a driver issue with one of the devices installed in your computer. If you've recently installed a new hardware device, such as a printer, modem, video card, etc., make sure you've got the latest drivers from the manufacturer's web site.

A listing of driver manufacturer web pages can be found on our driver section.

Disconnect external devices

Disconnect all external devices. External hardware such as USB peripherals can cause this error to happen. If no errors occur while these devices are disconnected, visit the manufacturers web site for the latest drivers or contact the hardware manufacturer for suggestions.

Verify all drivers have proper digital signatures

Out of date drivers for hardware devices, or system utilities that run in the background, such as backup software, antivirus scanners, etc., can also cause this issue to occur. To verify if your system has any of these files follow the below steps.

  1. Click Start
  2. In the Run line type sigverif and press enter.
  3. This should open the Windows File Signature Verification utility that can scan for files without a digital signature.
  • If you need help identifying what a file is or what it's associated with enter the full file name into the Computer Hope log tool.

Disable BIOS APM

Make sure that the Advanced Power Management (APM) is disabled within CMOS setup.

Motherboard BIOS update

If none of the above suggestions have helped resolve your issue visit the motherboard manufacturers or computer manufacturers web site and see if your motherboard has any available BIOS updates.

Bad hardware

Finally, if you've tried all of the above suggestions and are sure this issue is not a driver related issue, bad hardware can cause a wide variety of issues including this one. We suggest first that you test the memory in the computer to verify it's not bad.  If not bad, start trying to isolate the bad hardware by doing the process of elimination.

Additional information