Learn about Hibernate mode in Linux

When it comes to source options in Linux distributions, there are Logout, Shutdown, Suspend and Hibernate functions. In today's article, let's learn about Hibernate mode in Linux.

Hibernate mode in Linux

In Hibernate mode, the computer is completely turned off and therefore there will be no power consumption when the PC is in Hibernate state.

When you put your computer into Hibernate mode, session content from RAM will be transferred to the SWAP (swap) space of the hard drive and then, the system will shut down.

When 'waking up' from Hibernate mode, session content from SWAP will be copied back to RAM and thus, it will take more time to put the PC into working state, than when using Sleep mode.

Learn about Hibernate mode in Linux Picture 1 — Hibernate mode in Linux

Why do some Linux distros without Hibernate be enabled by default?

Hibernate is sometimes not always a smooth running feature, due to the nature of the way it works and the way the hardware has to support it. If the SWAP partition is not set correctly, data loss may occur due to crashes and computer freezes on startup. These are common issues related to Hibernate.

Normally, Linux needs the same amount of RAM as SWAP, but in reality, not everyone follows this, leading to Hibernate-related problems. Ubuntu has Hibernate as a default feature in the Power control panel, but since Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, this feature has been removed due to increasing problems, reported by some users.

But that doesn't mean your PC can't enter Hibernate mode anymore. All you need to do first is to check that your computer hardware is compatible with this mode.

How to check if a PC is compatible with Hibernate?

Before proceeding, be sure to save all unsaved documents in the session.

Launch Terminal , and type the following command:

 sudo pm-hibernate

Your PC will turn off. Turn on the computer and check if the session you have before entering the pm-hibernate command is intact or if you have logged into an empty desktop.

If your session is lost, that means your PC does not support Hibernate. Check if the SWAP partition is as large as the amount of RAM available. Linux recommends that the SWAP partition double the amount of RAM. For example, if your PC has 8GB of RAM, then you should have at least 16GB for a SWAP partition.

Kareem Winters

Update 26 February 2020

You should read it

May be interested

Learn Forensics Mode in Kali Linux
kali linux 'live' provides users with 'forensic mode', a feature introduced for the first time in backtrack linux.
How to turn off Hibernate hibernation in Windows 10
how to turn hibernate on and off on windows 10. hibernate (hibernation) is a very useful mode on windows computers. basically, the hibernate feature will allow all data currently on the ram to be written to the hard drive before shutting down. so
Manage Hibernate Mode in Windows 7
if you do not use hibernate hibernation in windows 7, you can save some disk space by disabling it. there are many ways as follows:
To enable or disable Sleep mode in Windows 10
sleep mode on windows will put the computer into the lowest power consumption mode, extending the battery to the computer when not using the device.
Sleep vs Hibernate: how different and when to use it?
in short, sleep will put the computer into a temporary sleep state and still have electrical current running inside the device. meanwhile, hibernate will store all data temporarily into hdd / ssd and then shorten the power. but in particular, what is the use case for each feature, how are they really different and how are the benefits of each?
When to Shut Down, Sleep or Hibernate the Laptop Computer
in addition to turning off the computer completely, you can also put it in sleep mode, hibernate, in some cases put it in hybrid sleep mode.
Difference between Sleep and Hibernate in Windows
this article will introduce sleep and hibernate in windows as well as guide you how to set up sleep mode for your computer.
How to turn on Linux App Mode on Chromebooks
surely, when talking about chromebooks, many people will come across one word: linux! chromebooks are evolving their ability to use linux. it all started to change.
Reactivate 'hibernate' - Hibernate on Windows 8.1
hibernate is a very useful feature in microsoft windows operating systems, it first appeared on win me and of course also on win 8 / 8.1 today. however, on win 8 / 8.1, this feature is turned off by default, we have to do a few fine-tuning steps to re-enable this feature.
What is Hiberfil.sys? How to turn off Hibernate hibernation on Windows
the article provides information about hiberfil.sys, how to check the hiberfi.sys file, how to disable hibernatet hibernation on windows vista/7/8/10 and windows xp, the difference between hibernate and sleep modes.