2020 MacBook Pro M1 wake from sleep issue

macustry wrote:

I have another post here with a video.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252324233

For me, if you use a flash light you can see the screen is on, just no backlight. Not sure if this is the same issue as everyone else or not

I found a possible workaround. On my M1 MacBook Air, I set a Hot Corner to start a screen saver. If I open the lid and the backlight is off, I mouse into the corner which starts the screen saver. When I move the cursor from the corner or press a key the back light comes on.

I may have found a temporary solution. Though do note I have yet to update to 11.2.2 from 11.2.1. The wake-up issue has been persistent but I did notice that it happens mostly when I have App updates pending, and after more than 12 hours of sleep. I had a feeling it would arise when my MBP auto connects online once I lift the lid and wakes up triggering app update syncs. So I tried turning off my wi-fi before I close the screen to sleep. This has so far stopped the issue on my end. I've been on successive sleep-to-wake sessions at different time intervals including an 18-hour break. Do try it and let me know if it does work on your end as well.

However, this is just a temporary fix just like the escape button hack (which hasn't worked for me at all, actually). As vasileios_n pointed out, this is a matter we shouldn't be trying to resolve to begin with. We bought these Mac devices in the hopes of getting a stable and reliable professional tool, so I do hope Apple folks resolve the issue. Will post an update in a couple of days after I see how 11.2.2 fairs with the hack.

Hey there!

I did mention this on an earlier post. And this is my opinion because I’ve seen it fix this exact problem, (As similar ones), that the firmware either needs to be revived, or restored:

Revive or restore a Mac with Apple silicon with Apple Configurator 2:

https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-2/revive-or-restore-a-mac-with-apple-silicon-apdd5f3c75ad/mac

It may not be the case for all, but for those whom it does apply, this is not an issue with the hardware, so no need to replace, etc. However if you don’t have the resources to do this process, any Apple store or provider can help.

After trying all the suggestions listed here, I had to mail in my M1 macbook pro for repair. It arrives back within a few days. When I contacted Apple, they mentioned that they needed to replace the main logic board, so hopefully the issue is now resolved.

Unfortunately I have exact the same issue with my newly bought MacBook Air with M1 processor. When opening the lid, keyboard backlight turns on, my watch logs me in, but the screen remains black. When using a flashlight you can see that the system is awake, only backlit of screen is not turned on. This thread shows many useful tips:

• did a full reinstall of macOS 11.4: no luck
• tap the escape key twice: no luck
• hot corners for screen saver: this work-around works fine! Backlit turns on again.
• force shutdown and reboot: this works too...

Made a notice at Apple support but they don't know this problem and can't help. Luckily I'm not alone referring to the many people with the same issue. Hey Apple, what is happening here?

Bought my Macbook Pro M1 in July 21. Been facing this same issue since October. Have been back and forth with my local apple authorised reseller (Malaysia), they kept on reformatting the device to no avail. Have been in contact with Apple Support but still no resolution on the issue.

Discovered a workaround on this issue by using Amphetamine Amphetamine on the App Store

Just remember to disable "system sleep when display is closed" option, the option will be auto-selected once you restart/hard boot the device:

Fortunately for me, service managed to fix it. They changed the main board and loudspeakers(?). After that, my mac started to work correctly.

But before it started to work I was twice in local apple service and then I had to send it somewhere else. Overall it took about one month... ridiculous!

Why did I even receive a new laptop which doesn't work as expected?

So for all of you waiting for solving this with software update - it might not be the case.

MacBook Air 2020

OS Big Sur Version 11.2.3

I have been having this same problem since the day I got this machine. None of the updates have helped. I tried the double ESC key trick and it worked a couple of times and now it doesn't. I have had to turn off the power-saving mode and rely on the screen saver. I also notice my Wi-fi Type-C mouse is hit or miss (it's not the mouse it's the machine because it works fine on my MacBook Pro). I spent 3 days on the phone with Apple with them having me do everything under the sun from reloading the machine from scratch and every tweek in between. I'm thinking it's a problem with the M1 chip.

I think I found a way around it.

Try this: restart the laptop. Then make sure that all battery and screen off time is at default. Then let computer fall asleep without closing the lid. When it’s been sleeping around 10 minutes close the lid and wait another 10 minutes. Then open it and see if it instantly wakes up into login screen.

If it doesn’t work, try this process again.

For me it worked when I did it the 2nd try. Laptop goes to sleep and instantly wakes up for me now. I had this problem happen to me again and this method fixed it for me every time.

Try it and let me know if it helps. Good luck.

I had the same issue on my MacBook Air M1, 8GB RAM, 512 GB hard drive, so I think it's the same 8 core processor as the MBP. I was having the same backlight issue, on wake, it would stay dark, but if I held it in sunlight or strong flashlight, I could see the screen was on. The way I was able to recreate it was to go on battery power, let it go to sleep and the display wouldn't turn back on most of the time. Closing and opening the screen a couple times would turn the backlight back on. The MBA would wake up just fine if I manually put it to sleep or didn't wait long enough to "turn off screen."

I did the big tests to see if it was software: booted in safe mode, reinstalled MacOS, erased the drive and reinstalled, ended up taking it to the Genius Bar and they were able to recreate by waiting the 2 minutes to let it go to sleep on battery. They tried a revive in-store, but they ended up sending it in to a repair center and the logic board & touchid were replaced. Everything seems to be great now. This may just be a hardware issue.

Oh, this is a freshly refurbished model as well, bought in August.

Good luck.

macOS version 11.3 seems to have fixed the issue

Just chiming in to say I am having the same issue. Hitting escape twice works for me. My laptop is a refurbished 2020 Macbook Air.

Hello barrettfromva,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you're having trouble with your Mac not waking as expected. We are happy to share information that may help.

Check out the information in this article, and adjust your sleep preferences as needed: If your Mac won’t go to or stay in sleep.

You may also want to start up your Mac in safe mode to see if the issue continues then: How to use safe mode on your Mac.

Take care.

I have followed this thread with interest as I am having the same problem on a new M1 Macbook Air. I have the newest update (11.2.3) and have not been able to solve the problem. I called Apple support and they suggested I try First Aid on the disk and if that doesn't work then try booting in safe mode and if that doesn't work then try creating a new user and seeing if going to sleep and waking up as a new user solves the problem and if that doesn't work it sounds like they will suggest a hardware replacement. Just FYI. Will post back if I have any luck with any of these suggestions.