Suspend pauses the computer while keeping its working state in memory; hibernate saves that state to storage and powers down almost all hardware; a screen lock restricts access to the active session without putting the whole computer to sleep. They solve different problems, and which power options are available depends on the machine and its Linux configuration.
How the three settings differ
| Setting | What it does | Power and saved state | What to expect when you return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen lock | Asks the current session to show its lock screen. It is a session-level access control action, not a system sleep state. | Does not itself put the whole computer into a low-power state. | You must authenticate to regain access if the session and desktop support locking. The desktop environment provides the graphical authentication experience. systemd logind; loginctl, version 252 |
| Suspend | Freezes user space and places devices and system functions into low-power states. | Some suspend modes keep memory powered so the current state remains available. Suspend-to-idle is a lighter, software-driven variant; suspend-to-RAM retains memory while most of the system enters low-power states. | Returning generally resumes the retained state, but available modes and wake behavior depend on the platform. Linux kernel: System Sleep States |
| Hibernate | Stops system activity, writes a snapshot of memory to persistent storage, then enters a state that removes power from almost all hardware, including memory. | The session image is stored on disk rather than kept in powered memory. The kernel documentation describes hibernation as offering the greatest energy savings among the listed sleep states. | On resume, a fresh kernel instance restores the saved image. Support requires architecture-specific low-level resume code. Linux kernel: System Sleep States |
The kernel describes system sleep states as “global low-power states of the entire system in which user space code cannot be executed and the overall system activity is significantly reduced.” Linux kernel documentation
Which option fits the situation?
- Choose screen lock when you are stepping away but want the computer to remain running—for example, to keep a task active. Locking is not a substitute for a sleep state if reducing power use is the goal.
- Choose suspend when you want to pause work and resume from the retained state without shutting down. The exact power use and wake experience vary by suspend mode and hardware; the kernel documentation gives qualitative descriptions, not universal battery-life or wake-time figures.
- Choose hibernate when you want to preserve the session while removing power from almost all hardware. Whether it is available and works reliably depends on system support and configuration.
- Consider hybrid suspend if the machine supports it and you want a hibernation image alongside a suspend state. If the machine wakes normally, it discards the image; if it cannot wake, the image can restore the prior session. Linux kernel documentation
Why Linux PCs may offer different choices
“Suspend” is a family of kernel states, not one universal mechanism. The kernel documentation describes suspend-to-idle, standby, and suspend-to-RAM variants. Hardware and platform support determine which variants are available, and firmware, drivers, kernel configuration, system services, and the desktop environment can all affect the result.
The kernel documents support for up to four system sleep states in total: hibernation and as many as three suspend variants, depending on configuration and platform capability. That is a possible technical count, not a promise that a particular installation exposes all four. Linux kernel documentation
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At the kernel level, /sys/power/state exposes supported sleep states, while mem_sleep selects among available suspend variants. The default may be suspend-to-RAM or suspend-to-idle and can be affected by the kernel command line and platform information. These interfaces are not universal desktop instructions: check the target distribution and machine before changing low-level settings. Linux kernel documentation
systemd logind also checks whether suspend or hibernation operations are supported and distinguishes unsupported operations—for example, because of hardware, kernel, or driver limitations—from operations that require authorization. A missing desktop-menu option, or an option that fails, does not by itself prove that every kernel sleep state is unavailable. systemd logind documentation
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Locking and power states are separate security choices
A lock screen controls access to an interactive session; suspend and hibernate change the computer’s power state. Do not assume that choosing suspend automatically locks the session: desktop environments can be configured to lock before or after suspension, and behavior varies. Likewise, a visible lock screen is not full-disk encryption, encrypted home storage, or proof that secrets have been removed from memory.
systemd documents a specialized arrangement in which supported encrypted home directories can be suspended with key material removed from memory. It requires graphical reauthentication support, which traditional desktop environments may not implement. This is a specific configuration, not a general property of screen locking or hibernation. pam_systemd_home documentation
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For sensitive data, treat session locking, disk encryption, and memory-key handling as distinct protections. The documented behavior does not establish a universal security guarantee or threat model for every Linux distribution and setup.
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