October 16, 2009
Windows 7 Freezes When Waking from Sleep/Hibernation: Fix
Several users have reported a problem in which Windows 7 freezes when waking from sleep/hibernation (usually after the computer has been left alone for some time, the display/monitor turns off, then the user tries to activate the system).
This problem can sometimes be solved by turning off the auto-hide function of the taskbar. To do this, right-click on the Start button then select “Properties.”
Click the taskbar tab, then uncheck the “Auto-hide the taskbar” box. Restart your computer and check for persistence of the issue.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Oct 16th, 2009. Comment. 
Leave a Comment
Comments on Windows 7 Freezes When Waking from Sleep/Hibernation: Fix
I have this problem, its a combination of the computer screen turning off and the auto hide of the taskbar. If they are both checked you’re pc will freeze shortly after you move the mouse to take the screen out of sleep mode. You can use one or the other, but with them both checked, this problem occurs.
Doesn’t work for me. 2 PC’s where sleep/hibernation worked fine under Vista will no longer wake up now that Windows 7 is installed. I would recommend holding off on Windows 7 until the first Service pack.
wow. this totally fixed my problem. i had “auto-hide the taskbar” option on and all i had to do is disable it and it worked. thanx!
I have this problem constantly (Win 7 x64 Build 7600 freezing up after waking from either Sleep, Hybrid Sleep, or Hibernate), and my task bar “autohide” has never been checked…so that is unlikely to be related.
I also have Auto-hide the taskbar unchecked, and still have the freeze when trying to wake from sleep mode. I’m having to hard power down my machine every couple of days! And my company is considering going to Windows 7 for everyone as soon as possible???
Has anyone solved this yet ? My newly installed Win7 x64 will re-awaken to show the User log-in/Switch User screen but the USB ports do not seem to get re-activated as the mouse and keyboard (both wireless) do not respond. Like Sean the only way out seems to be power down the machine and re-boot. Nice one Bill & Co – call that progress ?
I had this problem until I changed the power settings on my WD “Green” HD. The drive was snoozing and would not wake up with the rest of the computer.
Go to control panel, power options, change when computer sleeps, ‘turn off display’ NEVER
‘put computer to sleep’ after 20 minutes.
Worked for me! I am SO happy!
Didn’t work, my auto hide was unchecked as a default setting. Recently installed Windows 7, about a week later the freezing started. Only seems to happen when the PC has been left on for a long time, goes to sleep and awakes from sleep
Also I have installed all the fixes and service pack following installation. No confidence in Microsoft anymore.
This Windows 7 64bit PC freezes every night. I have unchecked the autohide task bar, set the moniter to never go off, never sleep, never hibernate and still happening – now testing in clean boot mode – We also have a win7 32 bit pc that ocaasionally deletes desktop icons. What a hassle – This is a factory Dell machine and been occuring since day 1