1. Ensure Mac’s sleep settings are correct
Your Mac automatically sleeps after the set time. However, if you have set it to go to sleep after a long time (say 3 hours) or Never, follow the steps below to change it. Tip: Your Mac can wake remotely by other users to use the shared resources. You can prevent this by unchecking Wake for network access. Now, your Mac can sleep peacefully without others disturbing it.
2. Stop Bluetooth devices from waking your Mac
Inside Mac’s Bluetooth settings lies an option that automatically wakes the machine. For example, if you use a Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, or trackpad, clicking a button will wake the Mac. This is a handy setting, but you may turn it off if required.
3. Check Mac’s sharing preferences like printer or hard disk
You can share resources like the connected printer, shared files, etc., with other users. However, this also wakes your Mac. You can prevent this by disabling the sharing options.
4. Quit apps designed to prevent Mac’s sleep – like Amphetamine
One of the primary reasons your MacBook doesn’t sleep could be third-party apps like Amphetamine, Owly, Anti Sleep that prevent your Mac from sleeping. These apps may start automatically when you power on your Mac and then prevent it from sleeping. To fix this, go to the Launchpad or Applications folder in Finder and make sure you do not have such apps. And even if you choose to keep such an app, open it, and turn off those options that enable it automatically. Note: Many video player apps like VLC may also prevent your Mac from sleeping. If you have such apps open, quit them. Additionally, a full-screen or picture-in-picture YouTube window in Chrome or similar video sites may also stop your Mac from sleeping. Close them.
5. Use Activity Monitor to see apps eating unnecessary resources
Activity Monitor lets you keep a tab on apps hogging CPU and other resources. If you find an app that is consuming resources unusually in the background, quit it, as it may be the culprit preventing your Mac from sleeping. Exclusive Pro Tip: Right-click the top bar that has Process Name, %CPU, etc. Select Preventing Sleep to add this tab. Now, you will see Yes next to an app that is preventing the Mac from sleeping. Quit them to fix the issue!
6. Disconnect peripherals
Externally connected devices like a faulty hard disk, pen drive, or something similar may not let the Mac sleep. You can disconnect all of them to ensure Mac sleeps. Or use the trial method to identify the external device that is causing the problem. Replace it or make sure not to leave the faulty peripheral connected for long.
7. Reset the NVRAM (or PRAM) and SMC
Finally, if nothing helps, it is time to reset the NVRAM or PRAM. We have a separate guide that explains everything about it and how to proceed. Additionally, you may also go ahead and reset Mac’s SMC. Again, you will find all details on the dedicated post.
8. Mac won’t sleep if Spotlight is indexing files
One of the best things on Mac (and iPhone) is Spotlight Search (accessed by pressing Command + Space Bar) which I (and you) use every day. This is one quick place to find files, launch apps, make basic calculations & conversions, and a lot more. When Spotlight is indexing the files on the internal drive, your Mac won’t go to sleep. Depending on the number of files, it may take several hours. Indexing mostly happens after you set up your Mac, update macOS, change hard drive, and such. It may also happen when lots of new files are added. Click the search icon from the top right of the menu bar. If Spotlight is indexing files, you will see a progress bar and the word ‘Indexing.’
9. Your MacBook may have a hardware problem
When you close the lid of your MacBook, the magnets let it know it is time to sleep. Though unlikely, if you have a weird cover or something similar, this may be hindered. Additionally, if your MacBook suffered a fall, there may be hardware issues in the lid, preventing it from sleeping when you close it. In these situations, click the Apple logo and choose Sleep. Finally, there may be problems with the wire connecting the motherboard that carries these instructions. Again, this will happen in rare circumstances. But if none of the solutions above help, contact Apple Support and learn about your repair options. I hope after following the solutions above, you can now successfully put your Mac to sleep. Have additional questions? Reach me via the comments section below. Check out next:
9 best tips to improve M1 MacBook battery lifeHow to fix MacBook Pro overheating issue: 13 tipsHow to use Apple Diagnostics to identify Mac hardware issuesHow to turn on Low Power mode on your Mac
