Colin Snow
If your iMac won't wake from sleep, there are several things you can try. Firstly, check if your iMac has been left in sleep mode for hours, causing the battery to drain. If this is the case, charge your iMac for at least an hour and then try rebooting it. If this doesn't work, you could try resetting the SMC (System Management Controller), which manages the low-level settings of sleep and wake, among other things. If you're still having issues, you could try a hard reboot, although be aware that this may result in the loss of unsaved documents. If all else fails, contact Apple Support or bring your iMac to the nearest Apple Service Centre.
How to wake an iMac from sleep
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basic fixes | Tap the trackpad, press a key on the keyboard, click the mouse, open the laptop lid |
| Bluetooth keyboard | Must be allowed in system preferences to wake the iMac |
| Wired keyboard | May have problems unless sleep settings have been modified with 3rd-party software or terminal commands |
| Power button | Press and hold for a few seconds, then press again to restart |
| SMC reset | Hold the Power button for 10 seconds to shut off, press Control + Option + left-side Shift key for 10 seconds, release, press Power button to restart |
| Malware | Scan and remove |
| Safe Mode | Boot your Mac in Safe Mode and uninstall apps |
| Software updates | Check for updates and upgrade |
| Apple Support | Contact for advice or send your Mac for repair |
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What You'll Learn
Troubleshooting a non-responsive iMac
If your iMac is non-responsive, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take before contacting Apple Support for further assistance.
Firstly, check if your iMac is in sleep mode. If it is, try waking it up by quickly pressing the power button to exit hibernation mode. If this does not work, attempt a hard reboot by holding down the power button to turn off your iMac, then pressing it again to turn it back on.
If your iMac is still non-responsive, the issue could be related to low storage space, a failing drive, or too many applications running simultaneously. To address this, restart your iMac and close any unresponsive or unnecessary applications. You can also free up disk space by removing temporary files or large files no longer in use. It is recommended to keep at least 15% of your startup disk free to avoid performance issues.
If the problem persists, your iMac may have a hardware issue. You can book a free Genius appointment at an Apple Store to have a full set of diagnostics run on your machine. Alternatively, you can use the built-in diagnostic tool on your iMac to check for any issues. To do this, shut down your iMac and press Control, Option, and the left-side Shift key on your keyboard for ten seconds. If you have a T2-based Mac, use the right-side Shift key instead. Release the keys, then press the power button to turn on your iMac.
If none of these troubleshooting steps work, contact Apple Support for further assistance or consider sending your iMac for repair.
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Resetting SMC on Intel-based or older Macs
If your iMac won't wake from sleep, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, check if your iMac is in sleep mode or hibernation mode. If it's in sleep mode, you should be able to wake it by pressing a key on the keyboard, clicking the mouse, or tapping the trackpad. If it's in hibernation mode, you'll need to press the power button to wake it up.
If your iMac still won't wake from sleep, you may need to try a hard reboot. Press and hold the power button to force your iMac to shut down, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Note that performing a hard reboot may cause any unsaved documents to be lost.
If your iMac still won't wake from sleep, you may need to reset the SMC (System Management Controller). The SMC manages low-level processes, including sleep, wake, hibernation, and battery supply. Errors in the SMC can cause your iMac to malfunction and not wake from sleep.
To reset the SMC on Intel-based or older Macs, follow these steps:
- Shut down your Mac completely by holding down the power button for several seconds.
- Once your Mac is shut down, press and hold the Control, Option, and left-side Shift keys on your keyboard for 10 seconds. If you're using a T2-based Mac, use the right-side Shift key instead of the left-side Shift key.
- Release the keys and wait a moment.
- Press the power button to turn your Mac back on.
- Check if your iMac can wake up from sleep as expected.
If you're using a newer Mac with an Apple Silicon chip, you don't need to perform any special steps to reset the SMC. A simple reboot will reset the SMC.
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Using the power button to wake your iMac
If your iMac won't wake from sleep, there are several methods you can try. Firstly, ensure that you have set your sleep and wake settings correctly. You can set your iMac to sleep after a specified duration of inactivity, or to wake for network access.
If your iMac still won't wake from sleep, try the following:
If your iMac is in hibernation mode, you can try to wake it by quickly pressing the power button. If this does not work, you can try a hard reboot by holding down the power button for a few seconds to completely shut it down, and then pressing the power button again to turn it on.
If your iMac still won't wake, you can try resetting the SMC (System Management Controller). To do this, hold the power button for 10 seconds to shut it off, then press Control + Option + the left-side Shift key on your keyboard for 10 seconds. If you have a T2-based Mac, use the right-side Shift key instead. Release the keys, wait a moment, and then press the power button to turn your iMac back on.
If your iMac still won't wake from sleep, you may need to contact Apple Support or bring your iMac to an Apple Service Center for assistance.
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Using the keyboard to wake your iMac
If your iMac won't wake from sleep using your keyboard, there are several things you can try. Firstly, check that your sleep settings are as they should be. You can do this by going to the Apple menu > System Settings, then clicking on Keyboard in the sidebar. From there, choose Touch Bar Settings, click on Customize Control Strip, and drag the Sleep button onto the Touch Bar.
If your settings are correct, you can try pressing any key on your keyboard, jiggling your mouse, or hitting the space bar. If your iMac still won't wake, you may need to press the power button to wake it up. This indicates that your iMac has been in sleep mode for a long duration and has entered a "deep sleep" mode.
If your iMac still won't wake, you can try a hard reboot by pressing and holding the power button to fully shut down your iMac. After waiting a moment, press the power button again to turn it on. Alternatively, you can try resetting the SMC (System Management Controller), which manages the low-level settings of sleep and wake, among other things. To do this, hold down the Control, Option, and left-side Shift keys on your keyboard for ten seconds. If you have a T2-based Mac, use the right-side Shift key instead. Release the keys, wait a moment, and then press the power button to turn your iMac back on.
If none of these solutions work, your iMac may have other unknown software or hardware issues. You can contact the Apple support team for assistance or send your iMac for repair.
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Contacting Apple Support
If your iMac won't wake from sleep, there are a few things you can try before contacting Apple Support. Firstly, check if your iMac is in hibernation mode and, if so, press the power button briefly to stop it. If that doesn't work, try a hard reboot by holding down the power button to turn off your iMac, then pressing it again to turn it back on. You could also try charging your iMac for half an hour and then pressing the power button.
If your iMac still won't wake from sleep, it may be experiencing software or hardware issues. In this case, you can contact the Apple Support team for assistance. Here are some options for getting in touch:
- Visit the official Apple Support website: Apple provides a comprehensive online support platform that covers a wide range of topics, including sleep and wake issues. You can browse through their help articles, tutorials, and troubleshooting guides to find a solution to your problem. The website also offers live chat and email support, allowing you to connect directly with Apple Support representatives.
- Call Apple Support: Apple offers telephone support for various products, including iMac. You can find the dedicated support phone number for your region or country on the Apple Support website. Calling Apple Support allows you to speak directly with a technician who can guide you through troubleshooting steps and offer personalized advice.
- Schedule a Genius Bar appointment: If you prefer in-person assistance, you can make an appointment at your nearest Apple Store Genius Bar. Genius Bar appointments are typically free of charge and provide you with dedicated time to discuss your iMac issue with an Apple expert. They can help diagnose the problem and suggest potential solutions or repairs.
- Visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider: If there isn't an Apple Store nearby, you can locate an Apple Authorized Service Provider in your area through the Apple Support website. These service centers are certified to handle repairs and provide support for Apple products, ensuring that your iMac receives the necessary attention.
When contacting Apple Support, it is helpful to have your iMac's serial number and warranty information ready. Additionally, be prepared to describe the issue in detail, including any error messages, unusual behaviour, or steps you've already taken to try and resolve the problem. Providing as much information as possible will assist Apple Support in understanding your specific situation and offering tailored solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
You can try tapping the trackpad, pressing a key on the keyboard, clicking the mouse, or opening the laptop lid. If these don't work, you can try a hard reboot by pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds, then pressing it again to restart your iMac.
Your iMac may have software or hardware issues. Software issues could be due to malware or unwanted software. Hardware issues could be related to the SMC (System Management Controller) or NVRAM/PRAM.
To reset the SMC, press and hold the power button for a few seconds to shut down your iMac. Then, press Control + Option + Left-side Shift key (or Right-side Shift key for T2-based Macs) for about 10 seconds. Release the keys, wait a moment, and press the power button again to turn on your iMac.
You can use MacKeeper's Antivirus tool or a similar application to scan your system for malware. If any threats are found, follow the on-screen prompts to remove them.
You can set your iMac's sleep and wake settings. Go to "System Preferences" and select "Energy Saver." Here, you can adjust when your iMac goes to sleep and wake based on inactivity duration or network access.
