How to Stop a Printer From Waking Up From Sleep Mode Constantly?

You send your last print job, walk away, and expect your printer to rest quietly until you need it again. But then you hear it. That familiar whirring sound, the display lighting up, and the warming cycle starting all over again. Your printer keeps waking up from sleep mode on its own, and you have no idea why.

This problem is more common than you might think. Printers wake from sleep mode for many reasons. Network traffic, scheduled software tasks, outdated firmware, and even your operating system’s power settings can trigger it. The constant cycling wastes energy, creates unwanted noise, and wears out your printer’s components faster than necessary.

The good news? You can fix this. This guide walks you through every practical solution to stop your printer from waking up from sleep mode on its own. Let’s get your printer to actually stay asleep.

In a Nutshell

• Network traffic is the most common cause of printers waking from sleep mode. Broadcast packets, SNMP requests, and Wake on LAN signals sent across your network can trigger the printer to power up even when no print job exists.
• Scheduled tasks and background software on your computer, such as HP Print Scan Doctor or similar utilities, often ping the printer at regular intervals. These pings pull the printer out of sleep mode repeatedly throughout the day.
• Adjusting the printer’s internal sleep timer and power management settings through the control panel or embedded web server gives you direct control over how the printer responds to network activity during sleep.
• Disabling Wake on LAN and SNMP on the printer itself prevents network signals from acting as a trigger. This single change resolves the issue for most users on wired or wireless networks.
• Updating firmware and printer drivers fixes known bugs related to sleep mode behavior. Manufacturers regularly release patches that address exactly this type of problem.
• Changing USB selective suspend settings and Windows power options ensures your computer’s operating system does not inadvertently send signals that wake the printer from its low power state.

Why Your Printer Keeps Waking Up From Sleep Mode

Understanding the root cause is the first step to solving this problem. Printers enter sleep mode to save energy and reduce wear on internal components like fusers, rollers, and print heads. Most modern printers are designed to wake automatically when they receive a print job. However, the wake trigger is not always a print job.

Many printers respond to any network activity directed at their IP address. This includes SNMP status queries, broadcast packets from routers, ARP requests from other devices, and even routine network scans from antivirus software. If your printer sits on a busy network, it may receive dozens of these signals every hour.

Your computer’s operating system also plays a role. Background services and scheduled tasks can check the printer’s status at set intervals. Each status check acts as a wake signal. The printer powers up, finds nothing to print, and goes back to sleep only to be woken again minutes later.

In some cases, a firmware bug causes the printer to misinterpret signals. The printer treats every incoming packet as a print command and exits sleep mode. Firmware updates from the manufacturer often address this specific issue.

Check and Adjust the Printer’s Sleep Timer Settings

The easiest place to start is the printer’s own settings menu. Most printers allow you to configure how long the device waits before entering sleep mode, and some let you control what triggers wake events. Access these settings directly on the printer’s control panel.

For printers with a touchscreen, go to Setup, then Power Management or Energy Settings. Look for options labeled Sleep Timer, Sleep Mode, or Auto Sleep. You can usually increase the idle time before sleep activates. More importantly, look for a setting that controls wake behavior, such as “Wake on Network Activity” or “Wake from Sleep on Network.”

If your printer has an Embedded Web Server (EWS), open a browser and type the printer’s IP address into the address bar. Log in and find the power management or system settings section. The EWS often provides more control than the physical control panel. You may find options to set the printer to ignore network activity while in sleep mode.

For HP printers, you can access this through the printer’s touchscreen under Setup > Power Management > Sleep Mode. Epson users can find similar settings through the Maintenance tab in the printer driver on their computer. Brother printers often provide these options under General Setup > Ecology on the control panel.

Disable Wake on LAN on Your Printer

Wake on LAN (WoL) is a networking feature that allows a device to be turned on or woken from sleep by receiving a special network signal called a magic packet. Many network printers have Wake on LAN enabled by default. This feature is useful in managed office environments, but it causes problems for home and small office users.

When WoL is active, your printer listens for specific packets even while asleep. Any broadcast traffic that matches the WoL pattern will trigger a wake event. Routers, switches, and other network devices sometimes generate traffic that accidentally mimics these patterns.

To disable Wake on LAN, access your printer’s Embedded Web Server by typing its IP address into a web browser. Look under the Networking or Network Settings section. Find the option for Wake on LAN and set it to Disabled or Off. On some printers, this setting appears under Advanced Network Settings or TCP/IP Settings.

On the printer’s physical control panel, you may find this under Network > Ethernet Settings > Wake on LAN or a similar path. The exact location varies by brand and model. After disabling WoL, your printer will only wake when it receives an actual print job or when you press a button on the device. This single change eliminates the problem for a large number of users.

Turn Off SNMP Queries From Your Computer

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a standard used by computers and network management tools to check the status of connected devices. Your computer regularly sends SNMP queries to your printer to check ink levels, paper status, and connection health. Each query can wake the printer from sleep.

To reduce SNMP traffic from your Windows computer, open Control Panel > Devices and Printers. Right click your printer and select Printer Properties. Go to the Ports tab and click Configure Port. You will see a checkbox for SNMP Status Enabled. Uncheck this box and click OK.

Disabling SNMP means your computer will no longer automatically query the printer for status updates. You will still be able to print normally. The only difference is that your computer won’t display real time ink levels or paper tray status unless you manually check through the printer’s own software.

If you manage multiple printers on a network, you can also configure your network monitoring tools to reduce the frequency of SNMP polls. Changing the polling interval from every few minutes to once per hour significantly reduces wake events. Some network management software allows you to exclude specific devices from routine scans entirely.

Disable Scheduled Tasks That Ping the Printer

Windows runs several background tasks and services that interact with your printer. These tasks can wake the printer at regular intervals even when you are not actively printing. The HP Print Scan Doctor utility, for example, creates scheduled tasks that check printer health periodically.

Open the Task Scheduler in Windows by typing “Task Scheduler” into the Start menu search bar. In the Task Scheduler Library, look for folders related to your printer manufacturer. For HP printers, check under HP > HP Print Scan Doctor. You may also find tasks under PrinterHealthMonitor or similar names.

Right click any printer related task and select Disable. This prevents the task from running automatically. If you are not sure whether a task relates to your printer, click on it and read the description in the lower panel. Tasks that mention status checks, health monitoring, or connectivity tests are likely candidates.

You can also check the Conditions tab of each task. Look for the option that says “Wake the computer to run this task.” Uncheck this box if it is selected. This change ensures the task only runs when the computer is already awake and does not pull the printer out of sleep as a side effect.

After disabling unnecessary tasks, restart your computer to confirm the changes take effect. Monitor your printer over the next 24 hours to see if the random wake events stop.

Update Your Printer Firmware

Firmware is the software that runs directly on your printer’s hardware. Manufacturers release firmware updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and address known issues with sleep mode behavior. An outdated firmware version can cause your printer to mishandle sleep and wake signals.

Check your printer manufacturer’s support website for the latest firmware. HP users can go to the HP Support page, enter their printer model, and download firmware updates directly. Epson and Canon provide firmware through their official support portals. Brother offers a Firmware Update Tool that automates the process.

Some printers can update firmware directly from the control panel. Go to Settings > Printer Maintenance > Firmware Update or a similar path. The printer will connect to the internet and download the latest version automatically. Make sure your printer is connected to your network and has a stable internet connection before starting this process.

After updating, restart the printer by turning it off, unplugging it for 30 seconds, and plugging it back in. This clears temporary settings and allows the new firmware to initialize properly. Many users report that a firmware update alone resolved their printer’s constant wake issue.

Adjust Windows USB Selective Suspend Settings

If your printer connects via USB, the USB Selective Suspend feature in Windows may cause unexpected behavior. This feature allows Windows to suspend individual USB ports to save power. However, when the port resumes, it can send a signal that wakes the printer.

To adjust this setting, open Control Panel > Power Options. Click Change Plan Settings next to your active power plan, then click Change Advanced Power Settings. Scroll down to USB Settings and expand it. You will see USB Selective Suspend Setting. Set this to Disabled for both “On battery” and “Plugged in” if you are on a laptop.

Disabling USB Selective Suspend means your USB ports will remain active at all times. This uses slightly more power but prevents the on/off cycling that can trigger printer wake events. The power difference is minimal on desktop computers.

You can also adjust this through Device Manager. Right click on Start and select Device Manager. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Right click each USB Root Hub and select Properties. Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.” Click OK and repeat for all USB Root Hub entries. This gives you precise control over how Windows manages your USB connections.

Change Your Printer’s Network Settings

Network configuration plays a major role in how often your printer wakes from sleep. Printers on busy networks receive constant traffic that triggers wake events. A few targeted changes to your printer’s network settings can make a significant difference.

First, consider assigning your printer a static IP address instead of using DHCP. When a printer’s IP address changes through DHCP renewal, the process generates network traffic that can wake the device. A static IP eliminates this renewal cycle. Set the static IP through the printer’s control panel or Embedded Web Server under Network Settings.

Second, if your printer supports it, disable IPv6 unless you specifically need it. IPv6 generates additional multicast traffic on the network. Printers listening for IPv6 packets may wake in response to this traffic. You can disable IPv6 in the printer’s TCP/IP settings through the EWS or control panel.

Third, on enterprise or advanced home networks, consider placing your printer on a separate VLAN or subnet. This isolates the printer from broadcast traffic generated by other devices on the network. Less broadcast traffic means fewer accidental wake triggers.

Finally, disable any unused network protocols on the printer. Many printers support protocols like Bonjour, SLP, and WS Discovery by default. Each active protocol listens for specific network messages. Disabling protocols you do not use reduces the number of signals that can wake the printer.

Stop Third Party Software From Polling the Printer

Beyond Windows scheduled tasks, various third party applications communicate with your printer in the background. Print management software, ink monitoring utilities, and manufacturer apps often run background services that poll the printer at regular intervals.

Check your system tray (the small icons near the clock on your taskbar) for any printer related software running in the background. Right click the icon and look for options to disable status monitoring or close the application entirely. HP Smart, Epson iPrint, Canon IJ Network Tool, and similar programs often include background monitoring features.

Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Click the Startup tab and look for printer related programs set to run at startup. Right click any you do not need and select Disable. This prevents the software from launching automatically when you turn on your computer.

You can also check Windows Services by typing “services.msc” into the Start menu search bar. Look for services related to your printer manufacturer. Services with names containing your printer brand may be running in the background and sending periodic status requests to the printer. Set unnecessary services to Manual startup type instead of Automatic. This way, the service only starts when you actively need it rather than running continuously.

Reset Your Printer to Factory Defaults

If you have tried multiple fixes and your printer still wakes from sleep mode constantly, a factory reset can clear corrupted settings that may be causing the issue. This step restores all printer settings to their original state, removing any configuration changes that might contribute to the problem.

Before performing a reset, write down your current settings. Note your wireless network name and password, any custom print quality settings, and your printer’s IP address configuration. You will need to reconfigure these after the reset.

To perform a factory reset on most printers, go to the control panel menu and look for Restore Defaults, Factory Reset, or Reset All Settings. The exact location varies by brand. HP printers typically place this under Setup > Printer Maintenance > Restore. Brother printers often have it under All Settings > Initial Setup > Reset. Epson and Canon printers usually include the option under General Settings or Device Settings.

After the reset completes, set up your printer again from scratch. This time, configure the power management and network settings proactively before the problem returns. Disable Wake on LAN, set an appropriate sleep timer, and turn off SNMP if you don’t need live status updates.

A factory reset is a clean slate approach that eliminates any combination of settings that may have been causing the issue. Many persistent sleep mode problems resolve after a reset because the default settings handle wake events more conservatively.

Check for Network Devices Sending Wake Signals

Sometimes the problem is not your printer or your computer. Another device on your network may be sending signals that wake the printer. Network attached storage devices, smart home hubs, and even other printers can generate traffic that triggers wake events.

Use a network monitoring tool like Wireshark to capture traffic going to your printer’s IP address. Install Wireshark on a computer connected to the same network. Set the capture filter to your printer’s IP address and let it run for several hours. Review the captured data to identify which devices are sending packets to the printer.

Look for ARP requests, SNMP queries, and broadcast packets in the capture results. The source IP address in each packet tells you which device initiated the communication. Common culprits include network management software on your router, media servers scanning for devices, and print servers checking printer availability.

Once you identify the source, you can take targeted action. Configure the offending device to exclude your printer from its scans, reduce its scan frequency, or disable the feature entirely. If the traffic comes from your router, check the router’s admin panel for options related to device discovery or network scanning.

For home users, smart home devices running protocols like mDNS or SSDP can also cause wake events. These devices regularly broadcast discovery messages to find other devices on the network. If your printer responds to these broadcasts, it will wake up each time.

Use the Printer’s Embedded Web Server for Advanced Controls

The Embedded Web Server (EWS) is a powerful tool that gives you access to settings not available through the printer’s physical control panel. Most network printers include a built in web server that you can access from any browser on the same network.

Find your printer’s IP address from the control panel. It is usually listed under Network Settings > Network Summary or by printing a network configuration page. Type this IP address into your browser’s address bar and press Enter. The EWS login page will appear.

Inside the EWS, go to the Settings or System tab. Look for sections labeled Energy Settings, Power Management, or Sleep Configuration. Here you will find detailed options for controlling sleep behavior. Some printers offer a “Deep Sleep” mode that is more resistant to network wake signals than standard sleep mode.

Check the Network tab in the EWS for protocol specific settings. You can disable individual protocols like Bonjour, SLP, WSD, and LLMNR that you do not use. Each disabled protocol reduces the number of network messages the printer responds to during sleep.

The EWS also lets you view event logs and usage reports. Check the event log for entries showing when the printer woke from sleep and what triggered the wake event. This diagnostic information helps you pinpoint the exact cause and apply the right fix. Save any changes you make in the EWS and restart the printer for the new settings to take effect.

Prevent Your Router From Waking the Printer

Your router may be the hidden cause of your printer’s sleep problems. Routers perform regular network maintenance tasks that send packets to all connected devices. These tasks include ARP table updates, DHCP lease renewals, and UPnP discovery messages. Any of these can wake your printer.

Log in to your router’s admin panel by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) into your browser. Check for settings related to UPnP, device discovery, and network scanning. Disabling UPnP on the router prevents it from sending discovery packets to your printer.

If your router supports it, adjust the ARP cache timeout. A longer ARP cache timeout means the router sends fewer ARP requests to verify that your printer is still on the network. Some routers also let you create static ARP entries for specific devices, which eliminates ARP queries entirely for those devices.

Check your router’s DHCP settings. If your printer uses DHCP, the router will periodically communicate with the printer to renew its IP lease. Switching your printer to a static IP address (as mentioned earlier) removes this source of wake traffic completely.

Some routers also have bandwidth monitoring or traffic analysis features that actively probe connected devices. Disable these features or configure them to exclude your printer’s IP address from their scans. Every reduction in traffic directed at your printer is one less potential wake trigger.

When to Contact the Manufacturer for Support

If you have worked through all the steps above and your printer still wakes from sleep constantly, the issue may require manufacturer support. Some sleep mode problems are caused by hardware defects or firmware bugs that only the manufacturer can resolve.

Contact your printer’s support team through their official website, phone line, or live chat. Describe the exact behavior, including how often the printer wakes, what you have already tried, and your printer’s model number and firmware version. This information helps the support team diagnose the issue faster.

Ask specifically about known issues with your printer model and sleep mode. Manufacturers maintain internal databases of reported bugs. Your printer model may have a documented problem with a specific fix that is not publicly available. In some cases, the manufacturer may provide a beta firmware or a special configuration that addresses the issue.

If your printer is still under warranty and the problem appears to be a hardware defect, the manufacturer may offer a repair or replacement. Components like the network interface card or the power management controller can malfunction and cause erratic wake behavior. Only a technician can diagnose and repair these hardware issues.

Keep documentation of your troubleshooting steps. This shows the support team that you have already attempted basic fixes and allows them to skip ahead to more advanced solutions. A detailed description of the problem saves time for both you and the support representative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printer wake up from sleep mode when nobody is printing?

Your printer responds to network signals, not just print jobs. SNMP queries, broadcast packets, ARP requests, and Wake on LAN signals can all trigger a wake event. Background software on your computer may also send periodic status checks to the printer. Disabling SNMP, turning off Wake on LAN, and stopping unnecessary scheduled tasks on your computer will prevent most unwanted wake events.

Can I completely disable sleep mode on my printer?

Most printers do not allow you to fully disable sleep mode. However, you can extend the sleep timer to a very long duration, such as several hours. This keeps the printer awake for longer periods between sleep cycles. Check your printer’s power management settings through the control panel or the Embedded Web Server to adjust the timer to the maximum allowed value.

Will disabling Wake on LAN affect my ability to print remotely?

Disabling Wake on LAN means your printer will not respond to remote wake signals. If you send a print job while the printer is in sleep mode, most printers will still wake up to process the job because the print data itself triggers the wake event. WoL is mainly used for remote management purposes. Regular printing from a computer on the same network will work normally without WoL.

Does a firmware update fix printer sleep mode issues?

In many cases, yes. Manufacturers release firmware updates that fix bugs related to sleep mode behavior. These updates correct how the printer handles network signals during sleep and prevent false wake triggers. Always check your manufacturer’s support website for the latest firmware version for your specific printer model.

How do I find out what is waking my printer from sleep mode?

Use the Embedded Web Server’s event log to see timestamps of wake events. You can also run a network packet capture tool like Wireshark on a computer connected to the same network. Filter the results by your printer’s IP address to identify which devices and protocols are sending wake signals. This data points you to the exact source of the problem.

Does printer sleep mode save a significant amount of energy?

Yes. A typical printer uses 30 to 50 watts during idle mode and drops to 1 to 5 watts in sleep mode. Over a year, this difference adds up to meaningful energy savings, especially in offices with multiple printers. Keeping your printer in sleep mode when not in use also extends the lifespan of components like the fuser unit and print heads by reducing unnecessary heat cycles and mechanical activity.