Not Sleeping Mac Mini M2

Mac Mini M2 Tahoe 26.2 will not sleep, same problem with earlier OS versions.

Like a toddler who has been drinking energy drinks, I put it to sleep, it goes dark but seconds later it wakes up again.


Mac mini

Posted on Jan 24, 2026 9:48 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 26, 2026 3:49 AM

rrandor1 wrote:

No, nothing moving. If other mini M2 users are not having this problem then it must be some software. But I have a somewhat limited palette of software that I run.

A M2 Mac Mini is a Head-less, keyboard-less and mouse-less computer


What type of keyboard / mouse are being used ?


As for the External Display, how is  it connected to the computer ?


How is the Display configured regarding  “ Sleep  “ or “ Off “ ?


Are there any external drives attached to the computer ?


Is Time Machine Back Utilities being used ?


When you manually put the computer to “ Sleep “ are there applications still running in the background ?


To answer some of the above questions


To avoid a game of 20 questions   


Download the Application Etrecheck  ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.


It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 


The application is free or paid for added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - Share Report >> Copy , then  paste  >>>> using the Additional Text Icon  <<<<

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 26, 2026 3:49 AM in response to rrandor1

rrandor1 wrote:

No, nothing moving. If other mini M2 users are not having this problem then it must be some software. But I have a somewhat limited palette of software that I run.

A M2 Mac Mini is a Head-less, keyboard-less and mouse-less computer


What type of keyboard / mouse are being used ?


As for the External Display, how is  it connected to the computer ?


How is the Display configured regarding  “ Sleep  “ or “ Off “ ?


Are there any external drives attached to the computer ?


Is Time Machine Back Utilities being used ?


When you manually put the computer to “ Sleep “ are there applications still running in the background ?


To answer some of the above questions


To avoid a game of 20 questions   


Download the Application Etrecheck  ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.


It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 


The application is free or paid for added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - Share Report >> Copy , then  paste  >>>> using the Additional Text Icon  <<<<

Not Sleeping Mac Mini M2

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