How to fix Sleep Mode issue on Mac mini after Sonoma Update?

JRC221 wrote:

Six months since I posted this thread and still no fix or reply from Apple on this issue. Is there any way to escalate this or bring it to their attention? Anyone on this board from Apple?

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Installed Sonoma 14.3 update and now the mac is working properly again.

Exactly the same as last time with Ventura.

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

And if this has been suggested by Apple support previously you'll have to excuse it as we're not clairvoyant.

I experienced this issue, and it was so annoying.

I followed some advice and used 'Activity Monitor' -> I tracked it down to the Brave web browser. Some processes can prevent sleep. They don't have to be in the front tab. I have a plugin that is supposed to put tabs into stasis. Apparently, that is not enough for the screen saver/sleep on idle.

One area the bears additional testing is 'Awake for network traffic' on Battery System Preference.

I will update this post soon.

And the interesting thing is that when I roll back to macOS 10.13 Ventura, everything works fine again. So BENQ is not responsible, neither macmini hardware is not. It is macOS Sonoma what is causing this behavior.

Finally, it seems to work with Sonoma 14.3.1

I was wondering if it's because the screen saver turned on automatically and woke up the monitor. So I turned off the screen saver (even if it's set to start after x minutes of inactivity) and then I my Macbook finally went to sleep (I use hot corners) both on its own as well as when connected to an external monitor. Maybe try it too to see if it works for you?

System Settings->Lock Screen->Start Screen Saver when inactive->Never

****, it finally seems to work with Sonoma 14.3 :)

Thanks.

i was having the same issue with external monitor not going to sleep, i had to revert back to 14.3.1 and now sleep is not an issue.

JRC221 wrote:

After updating to Sonoma my Mac Mini will not go to sleep. Apple support went through ALL the system settings for over an hour. Nothing worked so don't waste your time. Later I figured out that with wifi off it will sleep. However, even with wifi off it won't sleep if I have something powered in the USB. Anyone else with this issue? Any fix yet?

you can file a bug report /submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple

The current stable release of Sonoma including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 14.1.1

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

Check if you have any 3rd party background apps working. System Settings > Login Items > best disable and delete them.

Click only once on sleep option in the Mac Menu. After that click don't touch any Magic devices, or any 3rd party mice, or any other devices connected to your Mac by bluetooth, wifi, or even connected by wire. Any such touch might wake your Mac at any time, even the slight shake of the table.

Other options,

Mac keyboard shortcuts - Apple Support

The same with me. Mac Mini M1, display BENQ PD3220U connected via Thunderbolt 3. It started just after upgrading to Mac OS Sonoma last Autumn. It can not stay in a sleep mode, wakes up back after a second or two. It is also a security issue for me, I cannnot leave my mac alone without turning it off. Now I have Sonoma 14.2.1 and still the same.

Also tried rolling back to Ventura. And of course, with Ventura, there was no such an issue.

The only workaround with Sonoma is using HDMI. But then why to keep BENQ hm?

Restart your Mac Mini, or better still shut it down, wait for a while and the reboot it.

There's also an update, Sonoma 14.1.1

It appears the backgound also needs to be a static picture. Animated ones wake up from sleep. Not sure what settings are required to prevent this