The Fast Startup feature in Windows 11 reduces boot time by combining elements of a full shutdown with hibernation. When the "Turn on fast startup" option is missing from Power Options, Windows starts up more slowly after shutdown, affecting overall system responsiveness. This issue typically occurs when hibernation is disabled, as Fast Startup depends on the hibernation capability to function. Restoring this option requires re-enabling hibernation and verifying related settings.

Restore Fast Startup by Enabling Hibernation

Step 1: Open an elevated Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt in the search results and select Run as administrator. This ensures you have the necessary privileges to modify system power settings.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

powercfg /hibernate on

This command enables the hibernation feature, which is a requirement for Fast Startup. If hibernation is disabled, the Fast Startup option will not appear in your system's Power Options.

Step 3: Close the Command Prompt window. To ensure the changes take effect, restart your computer. This step refreshes system settings and re-registers power options.

Step 4: After restarting, open the Control Panel by pressing the Windows key, typing Control Panel, and pressing Enter.

Step 5: Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options, then select Choose what the power buttons do from the left sidebar.

Step 6: Click Change settings that are currently unavailable at the top of the window. Under the "Shutdown settings" section, the Turn on fast startup (recommended) option should now be visible. If you want to enable it, check this box and click Save changes.

Reduce Hibernation File Size While Keeping Fast Startup

Some users prefer to disable full hibernation to save disk space but still want Fast Startup active. Windows allows you to reduce the size of the hibernation file to support Fast Startup only, disabling full hibernation and hybrid sleep.

Step 1: Open an elevated Command Prompt as described earlier.

Step 2: Enter the following command and press Enter:

powercfg /h /type reduced

This command configures Windows to use a smaller hibernation file, supporting Fast Startup but not full hibernation. The "Turn on fast startup" option remains available in Power Options, while the Hibernate option is removed from the shutdown menu.

Step 3: Restart your computer for the change to take effect. Then, verify in Power Options that Fast Startup is still available and enabled.

Troubleshooting Missing Fast Startup Option

If enabling hibernation does not restore the Fast Startup option, check for outdated or generic device drivers—especially for graphics and chipset components. Incompatible drivers can prevent hibernation from working, which in turn removes Fast Startup from the available options. Update these drivers through Windows Update or by visiting your device manufacturer's website.

Additionally, verify sleep states by running the following command in Command Prompt:

powercfg /availablesleepstates

This command lists the supported power states on your device and can help identify if system configuration or hardware limitations are affecting Fast Startup availability.

Restoring the "Turn on fast startup" option in Windows 11 is straightforward once hibernation is enabled and drivers are up to date. Keeping Fast Startup active helps your PC boot more quickly after shutdown, improving everyday performance.