Suspending and Hibernating

In order to save power, a computer can be put into one of a number of power-saving modes when it is not being used.

  • Suspending a computer is like putting the computer to sleep. The computer will still be turned on and all work will be left open, but it will use much less power. Wake the computer by pressing a key or clicking the mouse.

  • Hibernating means turning the computer off completely while saving the current state of the computer (such as keeping all open documents). When the computer is turned back on after hibernation, all work will be restored as it was before hibernation. No power is used when the computer is hibernating.

  • Shutting down is turning the computer off completely, without saving the current state of the computer. No power is used when the computer is shut down.

  • Resuming is bringing the computer out of a power-saving mode and back into normal operation. The computer can be resumed from being suspended by pressing a keyboard button or by clicking the mouse. Resume from being hibernated by pressing the power button on the computer.

Manually put the computer into power-saving mode by selecting one of the options in the System section of the Leave menu in Kickoff.

Caution

Some computers may have problems going into and resuming from certain power-saving modes. The best way of checking if a computer can handle a power-saving mode is to try it. Switch to that mode and see if it behaves as expected. Always save important documents before suspending or hibernating.

The computer does not suspend or hibernate correctly

Some computers are unable to suspend or hibernate correctly with Kubuntu, and may show some of the following symptoms:

  • The computer does not turn off after hibernate has been clicked.

  • When the computer is turned back on after hibernating, previously open programs are not restored.

  • The computer will not wake up after it has been suspended.

  • Certain programs or hardware devices stop working correctly after resuming from hibernation or waking-up from being suspended.

If any of these problems occur, a bug should be reported to Launchpad. The problems may be fixed in a subsequent version of Kubuntu.

If the hardware does not work properly after suspending or hibernating, restart the computer and it should return to normal. If a program does not work properly, try closing the program and then starting it again.

Caution

Make sure to save all open documents before testing for suspend and hibernate problems.

There's a strange pattern on the screen when the computer is hibernated

The screen may show a black and white pattern just after it is clicked to hibernate. This is usually nothing to worry about and is just how the graphics cards of some computers respond to the initial stages of the hibernation process.

If the computer displays the pattern for a prolonged period of time without turning itself off then there may be a problem with hibernation. Refer to The computer does not suspend or hibernate correctly for more information.