Troubleshooting Mac's Sleep Wake Failure Issue

what is a sleep wake failure on mac

Sleep-wake failure is a common issue for Mac users, often occurring after upgrading to macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 or later. The problem can manifest in various ways, such as the Mac crashing or freezing during sleep mode, failing to wake up from sleep mode, or spontaneously rebooting. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, several troubleshooting techniques can help address sleep-wake failure in Mac computers.

Characteristics and Values of Sleep-Wake Failure on Mac

Characteristics Values
Occurrence Mac computers may crash or freeze after waking up from sleep mode.
Frequency This issue has been reported to occur multiple times a day or after a few hours of sleep.
User Actions Users may need to force restart or shut down their Mac and then turn it on again.
Possible Causes Power management issues, software problems, hardware problems, or specific settings.
Solutions Resetting SMC/NVRAM, reinstalling macOS, adjusting sleep settings, disabling hibernate mode, or turning off certain features.
Apple Support Apple has recommended disabling certain features and checking hardware, but no permanent solution has been provided.

shunsleep

Sleep-wake failure may be caused by poor power management

Sleep-wake failure on a Mac can be caused by a variety of issues, including poor power management. Power issues can result in a black screen if there is insufficient power reaching the device. This can be caused by poor or damaged hardware-software contact, such as loose or dusty connections, or by running third-party apps.

To resolve power management issues, you can try a few different methods. Firstly, you can adjust your sleep settings to ensure they are set up correctly. You can set the amount of time that should pass before your Mac goes to sleep. You can also turn off features such as "Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter when the display is off" and "Wake for network access".

If adjusting the sleep settings does not work, you can try performing a hard shutdown by holding down the power button for a few seconds until your Mac shuts down. Then, wait for 10-15 seconds and switch it on again to check if the issue persists.

Another method to resolve power-related sleep-wake failures is to reset the SMC (System Management Controller) and NVRAM. The SMC is a central hub for the hardware of your Mac and can be reset by following these steps:

  • Switch off your Mac.
  • Disconnect the power cord.
  • Hold down Shift, Control, Option, and Power buttons for 10 seconds.
  • Release the keys together.
  • Reconnect the power cord and switch on your Mac.
  • Reboot your Mac, holding down Option, Command, P, and R keys for 20 seconds.

If the issue is still not resolved, you may need to reinstall your macOS or take your device to an Apple Store for further assistance.

Suffocating in Sleep: Can You Wake Up?

You may want to see also

shunsleep

Sleep-wake failure is a common issue faced by Mac users, especially after upgrading to macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 or later. The problem is characterised by the Mac crashing or freezing when it enters sleep mode or wakes up from it.

If you are facing sleep-wake failure issues on your Mac, it could be related to standby mode. Standby mode is a power-saving feature that puts your Mac into a low-power state when it is inactive. However, in some cases, the standby feature may not function properly, leading to sleep-wake failures.

Disabling the standby feature through the Terminal is a suggested solution to sleep-wake failures. To do this, you can run specific commands in your OS X Terminal to disable the settings responsible for activating hibernate mode. However, it is important to note that disabling standby mode may cause faster battery drain, as your Mac will not be entering a "deep sleep" state.

Additionally, you can try adjusting your Mac's sleep settings. Go to the Apple menu, then to System Preferences, and click on the Energy Saver option. Here, you can specify when your Mac should fall asleep and wake up, as well as make the hard drive sleep if desired.

If you are using a Mac laptop, you can also click on Battery in the sidebar and then on Options to manage your sleep settings.

shunsleep

Try disabling full-disk encryption protocols

Sleep-wake failure on a Mac can be caused by a glitch that prevents your device from retrieving the required content and files on your hard drive to wake up your Mac from sleep. This, in turn, causes friction between your full-disk security protocols, such as FileVault, and your system crashes.

To resolve this issue, you can try disabling your full-disk encryption protocols. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

  • Disable Full-Disk Encryption Protocols: Go to your System Preferences and locate the Security & Privacy settings. Here, you can disable the full-disk encryption protocols, such as FileVault.
  • Decrypt Your Hard Drive: Use third-party software to decrypt your hard drive. This will ensure that your data remains secure even when the full-disk encryption is disabled.
  • Re-enable Full-Disk Encryption: Once the issue is resolved, go back to the Security & Privacy settings and re-enable the full-disk encryption protocols. This will ensure that your data is protected.
  • Verify and Test: After re-enabling the encryption, verify that your Mac can now wake up from sleep mode without any issues. Test it by putting your Mac to sleep and then trying to wake it up.
  • Alternative Solution: If disabling the full-disk encryption protocols does not resolve the issue, you may need to try other troubleshooting methods. One alternative is to reset your Mac's FileVault. This can be done without performing a full shutdown and reboot of your computer.

Remember to keep your macOS up to date, as updates often include improvements and fixes for such issues. Additionally, consider using hibernation mode if you don't need to put your Mac to sleep frequently. Hibernation mode is a defensive function that helps retain data in the event of a power loss.

shunsleep

Resetting SMC and NVRAM may resolve the issue

Resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) on a Mac can help resolve a variety of hardware-related issues. The SMC is a central hub for the hardware of your Mac and manages hardware-related functions such as cooling fans, battery charging, and keyboard backlighting.

Before resetting the SMC, it is recommended to try other troubleshooting tasks, such as force-quitting problematic apps and restarting your Mac. If you proceed with resetting the SMC, the procedure will depend on the type of Mac you have.

For Mac Desktops:

  • Disconnect the power cord from the Mac or the AC outlet.
  • Wait 15 seconds and then plug it back in.
  • Wait another 5 seconds and turn the Mac back on.

For Mac Laptops with the Apple T2 Security Chip:

  • Shut down your MacBook.
  • Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release.
  • Wait a few seconds and restart your Mac.

For Other Mac Laptops:

  • Shut down your MacBook.
  • Press and hold the Shift, Control, Option, and Power buttons for 10 seconds.
  • Release the keys together.
  • Reboot your Mac, holding down the Option, Command, P, and R keys for 20 seconds.

Resetting NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) is another option to resolve issues related to power management or display settings. NVRAM, also known as PRAM (Parameter Random-Access Memory), is a type of memory that stores key system settings and preferences, such as time and date, volume, and startup disk selection.

  • Shut down your Mac.
  • Press the power button to turn on your Mac.
  • Immediately press and hold Option, Command, P, and R.
  • Hold these keys until you hear the startup sound twice, or see the Apple logo appear and disappear twice on Macs without a startup sound.
  • Release the keys and let your Mac continue to start up as usual.

shunsleep

Reinstalling macOS could be a solution

Reinstalling macOS can be a potential solution to address a sleep/wake failure on your Mac. This issue occurs when your Mac fails to wake up from sleep mode, requiring a forced restart. While there are several temporary fixes, reinstalling the operating system offers a more comprehensive and long-lasting solution. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to approach this:

## Back Up Your Data

Before proceeding with any significant changes to your system, it's crucial to back up your essential data. You can use Time Machine, an external hard drive, or cloud storage solutions to ensure that your important files, documents, photos, and videos are safe and accessible. This step is vital as you will be erasing your Mac's internal drive during the reinstallation process.

Create a Bootable Installer

To reinstall macOS, you'll need a bootable installer. This is a secondary, bootable version of the macOS installer that you can use to install the operating system. To create one, you will need a healthy Mac and a USB flash drive or an external drive with at least 16GB of storage. Go to the Mac App Store, find the macOS version you want to install, and download it. Then, use the 'Create a Bootable Installer' option in the installer package to create your bootable drive.

Boot Your Mac into Recovery Mode

Once you have your bootable installer ready, you need to boot your Mac into Recovery Mode. This is a special boot mode that allows you to perform system-level tasks, such as reinstalling macOS. To enter Recovery Mode, turn off your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press and hold Command+R until you see the Apple logo or a utility window.

Reinstall macOS

In Recovery Mode, you will have access to several utilities. Select 'Reinstall macOS' from the options and click 'Continue.' Follow the on-screen instructions to select your bootable installer and proceed with the installation. You will be guided through the process, which may take some time, so ensure your Mac remains connected to a power source and has a stable internet connection.

Set Up Your Mac

After successfully reinstalling macOS, you will be guided through the setup process. You can choose to migrate your data from a Time Machine backup or start fresh with a new user account. If you choose to migrate your data, ensure that you select a backup made before the sleep/wake issues started occurring to avoid potentially transferring the problem to your newly installed system.

By following these steps, you can effectively resolve sleep/wake failures on your Mac. While it may seem like a drastic measure, reinstalling macOS can provide a clean slate for your system, eliminating any underlying issues that may have caused the problem in the first place. It is always advisable to seek technical assistance if you are unsure about any of these steps or if you encounter any challenges during the process.

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment