m_brando
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: MacBook won't wake after display sleep - need hard reset

Since upgrading to El Capitan, my MacBook won't wake after the display sleep. I have to hold the power button and do a hard reset each time. My power settings for power adapter were "computer sleep - never", "display sleep - 2 hours"

 

I've since changed my power preferences to "display sleep - never" with a corresponding screen saver so I don't have to reset all the time, but would like to go back to a display sleep setting if I can.

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Oct 14, 2015 7:39 AM

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m_brando

Q: MacBook won't wake after display sleep - need hard reset

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  • by alex_h1,

    alex_h1 alex_h1 Oct 14, 2015 11:11 AM in response to m_brando
    Community Specialists
    Oct 14, 2015 11:11 AM in response to m_brando

    Hello m_brando,

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

     

    If your Mac is not waking from sleep, then I suggest that you run through the steps that are outlined below.

     

    If your Mac doesn't wake when you expect

    Your Mac might pause a few seconds before it wakes up. If it doesn't seem to wake at all, check for these possibilities:

    • Your screen brightness might be turned down.
    • If you're using an external display, your display might be turned off. 
    • Your Mac might be in safe sleep. To wake from safe sleep, press the power button.
    • Check for a sleep indicator light, if applicable, and make sure that your Mac isn't turned off.

    If the previous steps don't work

    These additional steps may help identify or resolve the issue: 

    • Reset the SMC.
    • Reset NVRAM.
    • Disconnect external devices other than your Apple keyboard, mouse, and display. If that resolves the issue, gradually reconnect your devices, testing each time, until you find the device that is interfering with sleep. Then check the documentation that came with the device, or contact the device manufacturer.
    • Start up in Safe Mode to see if the issue is related to non-Apple startup items, login items, or kernel extensions. 
    • Try to isolate the issue by using another user account. 

    If your Mac doesn't sleep or wake when expected - Apple Support

     

    Cheers.

  • by m_brando,

    m_brando m_brando Oct 14, 2015 11:25 AM in response to alex_h1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 14, 2015 11:25 AM in response to alex_h1

    Hi alex_h1, and thanks for the reply.

     

    to note from above :

    - my screen brightness is not turned down, there's no reaction to any function buttons (like brightness)

    - I do not have an external display

    - pressing the power button has no effect

    - the Mac isn't powered off, the small light in the front which I think is a sleep indicator is lit.

     

    The problem has only happened since I upgraded to 10.11.