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MacBook not sleeping on its own when inactive

There are numerous threads lately about MacBook / MacBook Pro sleep issues. There is definitely something wrong here; I personally believe it is software-related, but that's another story...

I would like to ask everyone to target on the "MacBook not sleeping after being inactive" issue, please do not post similar problems, such as inability to wake from sleep, waking up with lid closed and so on...

In my case, I'm on a Santa Rosa 2GHz MacBook (bought it a month ago) and I recently noticed that it won't sleep on its own, when left inactive (no user activity) for a time period longer that the one set via Energy Saver Preference under System Preferences. There are no strange processes taking up PCU time, no kernel extensions and so on. I have already tried most of the tricks I am reading of around the net (SMC reset, erasing certain preferences), but with no luck. As I said above, it sleeps just fine when closing the lid, or using other manual procedures.

I would like to hear from anyone who've face the SAME problem and successfully managed to overcome it. Thank you.

MacBook (Santa Rosa) @ 2Ghz, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Feb 26, 2008 1:36 PM

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39 replies

Mar 2, 2008 2:44 PM in response to Thanar

do you have any devices connected to the macbook, such as an ipod? That I know keeps it from going to sleep...even if the ipod itself is asleep it prevents the computer from sleeping. Disconnect the ipod and try. If tht fails, give this a try, go to hd/library/preferences/systemconfiguration and remove the powermanagement.plist item that's in that folder...actually trash it, empty trash and reboot.

Mar 3, 2008 12:25 AM in response to Thanar

The issue still has not been solved. There are NO external devices plugged, NO processes hogging up the processor, NO airport connected, EVERY preference having to do with waking from sleep has been set accordingly. Still insomniac!

Tried to put it to sleep using the scheduler, it seems to work fine that way, although it takes 2 to 3 minutes more to start snoozing...

Mar 4, 2008 11:58 PM in response to rel12561

No, there are no external devices connected except WLAN, but I expect Apple to build a computer that's going to sleep althoug connected to WLAN...

I just made a new install of Leopard, leaving out all bundled Software except iDVD.
Installed no printer drivers.
Updated to 10.5.2 including the Graphics Update.
Applications installed: Adium, Alarm Clock 2, MS Office 2008, Cybeduck, MacTeX.
Further Software installed: Perian, XiphQT (Both in /Library/Components)

None of these programs is started at Login or Boot. MacBook won't sleep.

Another thing I recognized: During installation I was asked for the 2nd installation DVD which I didn't insert for about some hours because I was away from the Mac. In this case also, the MacBook didn't go to sleep. (Not THAT bad, but I thought it is worth mentioning).

Mar 9, 2008 12:10 PM in response to yezariael

I have exactly the same issue. I've got one of the brand new MBP 15", only got it on Thu, it's a factory install with nothing added so far.

The display will sleep as per the setting in the battery options, but not the machine itself.

A Google search shows this is a long way from being an unusual problem on new and old Apple notebooks alike but I've yet to find a fix.

Any ideas gratefully received!

Mar 9, 2008 12:21 PM in response to rel12561

rel12561 wrote:
do you have any devices connected to the macbook, such as an ipod?


Does a Bluetooth mouse fit this description when attempting to put a MacBook to sleep? My MacBook will almost instantly go to sleep if I do the pull-down option under the Apple Symbol. However, if I just close the lid/screen, I hear a brief noise similar to what the optical drive sound like initially. These chirps last for maybe a second and sound maybe every ten minutes or so. I've never timed them and only hear them occasionally when the MacBook is shut and I'm sitting next to it. My wife hears these chirps up to maybe 25 feet away.

While I like the option of just shutting the lid, I find myself going through the pull-down sleep option when I'm not coming back to the lap shortly although I do find it annoying to wait several seconds for the computer to wake up from full sleep.

Mar 10, 2008 3:40 AM in response to Thanar

I have done some more testing, on a brand new Guest account, with no apps running and no peripherals plugged in, and the machine still will not sleep on inactive.

This is a new machine, delivered Thursday.

Clearly there is a deeper issue than just normal software, but I don't know where to go from here.

Any ideas folks?

Mar 19, 2008 6:00 AM in response to Thanar

Ok, I think I got the problem solved. To tell the short story:

- *Deactivate 'Internet Sharing' in the System Preferences.*

I just had the same issue we discuss here on an old iBook G4 running the latest Tiger where I solved it via deactivating this option.
BTW: I also do not have insomnia on the MacBook anymore, maybe because of the same settings. I cannot comprehend that because I reinstalled Leopard and don't know what my settings were.

Hope that solves your issue,
yezariael

Mar 26, 2008 8:50 AM in response to Thanar

Add my name to the list, I've recently noticed the same thing.

Could it be a 10.5.2 bug? I haven't noticed an issue before that.

Come to think of it, I have recently, without success, tried to run InsomniaX for when I use my external display, and I noticed the issue from that. I have since deleted the App, but could it have written a hidden preference somewhere that's causing an issue? I don't know where to find that stuff.

MacBook not sleeping on its own when inactive

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