If you use your laptop while on the go, you might have encountered an issue with the Ubuntu sleep mode, which drains too much battery. You close the lid with your battery levels at 88%, and when you open it back 6 hours later, it is at 24%, or worse, the laptop shut down due to a dead battery. All the while, the laptop was in sleep mode.
The problem here lies in optimizing your system performance and power management. For Ubuntu users, configuring the system to enter deep sleep mode can significantly enhance power efficiency, especially for laptop as a portable device.
This article provides a detailed, step-by-step process to modify the GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader) settings to enable deep sleep mode, a feature that ensures your system consumes minimal power while in sleep mode.
Understanding GRUB and Its Importance
GRUB is the default bootloader for most Linux distributions, including Ubuntu. It is responsible for loading and transferring control to the operating system kernel, which, in turn, initializes the rest of the operating system. Modifying GRUB settings allows users to customize the boot process, add kernel parameters, and enhance system performance.
One such customization is setting the `mem_sleep_default=deep` parameter, which configures the system to use the deep sleep mode. This mode is particularly beneficial for laptop users who need to conserve battery life during periods of inactivity.
Steps to Modify GRUB for Deep Sleep Mode
1. Open the GRUB Configuration File:
First, you need to access the GRUB configuration file. Open a terminal and type the following command to open the file with superuser privileges:
sudo nano /etc/default/grub
2. Locate the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT Line:
In the configuration file, locate the line that contains:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=”quiet splash”
This line specifies the default kernel parameters that are used when the system boots. The `quiet` parameter reduces boot time messages, and `splash` displays the splash screen.
3. Modify the Line to Enable Deep Sleep Mode:
Change the line to include the `mem_sleep_default=deep` parameter, which sets the default sleep mode to deep sleep. The modified line should look like this:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=”quiet splash mem_sleep_default=deep”
This addition ensures that the system will use deep sleep mode, reducing power consumption during sleep.
4. Save and Exit the Text Editor:
After making the necessary changes, save the file and exit the text editor. If you are using `nano`, press `Ctrl+O` to write the changes to the file, then press `Enter` to confirm. After that, press `Ctrl+X` to exit the editor.
5. Update GRUB to Apply Changes:
For the changes to take effect, you need to update GRUB. In the terminal, type the following command:
sudo update-grub
This command updates the GRUB configuration based on the changes made in the `/etc/default/grub` file.
6. Reboot Your System:
Finally, reboot your system to apply the new GRUB settings. You can do this by typing:
sudo reboot
When your system restarts, the new GRUB settings, including the deep sleep mode configuration, will be in effect.
7. You can confirm this by entering the following in your Terminal
cat /sys/power/mem_sleep
And [deep] should be the default option.
Benefits of Deep Sleep Mode
Enabling deep sleep mode has several advantages, particularly for mobile users. It significantly reduces power consumption when the system is not in use, thereby extending battery life. This is particularly useful for users who frequently put their laptops to sleep rather than shutting them down. Deep sleep mode also ensures that the system resumes quickly from sleep, providing a balance between power efficiency and usability.
Configuring GRUB to enable deep sleep mode is a straightforward process that can yield substantial benefits in power efficiency. By following the steps outlined above, Ubuntu users can customize their systems to use deep sleep mode, enhancing battery life and overall performance. As power management becomes increasingly crucial in our tech-driven world, such optimizations are essential for maintaining efficient and sustainable computing environments.
