After of MacOS 27 update my MacBook Air M4 is taking a long time (between 5 - 10 seconds) to respond from sleep or stand by mode to login screen. before in MacOS 26 responded within 1-2 seconds or instantly.
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 27.0
After updating my MacBook Air M4 from macOS 26 to macOS 27.0, waking from sleep now takes approximately 5–10 seconds before the login screen appears, compared with 1–2 seconds or almost instantly before the update.
Since the change appeared after the update, macOS 27 is relevant to the investigation, although the timing alone does not identify the cause.
Check available internal storage under System Settings >> General >> Storage.
If free space is very low, free a meaningful amount, restart the Mac, and compare wake times again.
Apple: Free up storage space on Mac
Next, compare wake times after approximately 30 seconds, 5–10 minutes, and an hour or more of sleep.
Note whether the display remains black during the delay, the display turns on but the login screen is delayed, or the login screen appears but remains temporarily unresponsive. This helps establish where in the wake process the delay is occurring.
Apple: If your Mac sleeps or wakes unexpectedly
Repeat the test in Safe Mode. Shut down the Mac, hold the power button until startup options appear, select the startup volume, hold Shift, and choose Continue in Safe Mode. Safe Mode can help determine whether software that loads during startup is associated with the behaviour.
Apple: Start up your Mac in safe mode
Also repeat the test with nonessential USB-C/Thunderbolt devices, docks, external displays, drives, and other peripherals disconnected. If the delay disappears, reconnect them individually and test again.
If Safe Mode improves the wake time, examine System Settings >> General >> Login Items & Extensions. Temporarily removing login items and restoring them individually can help identify whether one is associated with the problem.
Apple: Remove login items to resolve problems on Mac
IIf the preceding checks do not identify the problem, run Disk Utility First Aid on the internal storage. Apple states that First Aid can check and repair certain formatting and directory-structure errors.
Back up important data first. For the most complete check of the startup disk, Apple provides instructions for using Disk Utility from macOS Recovery. (Apple Support)
Apple: Repair a Mac storage device with Disk Utility
You can also run Apple Diagnostics to check for detectable hardware problems. On an Apple silicon Mac, shut it down, hold the power button until startup options appear, then hold Command-D to start Apple Diagnostics.
Apple: Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac
If the wake delay continues after these tests, back up the Mac and consider reinstalling macOS from macOS Recovery.
Apple states that reinstalling macOS this way does not normally remove apps or personal data, although making a backup beforehand is recommended. (Apple Support)
After updating my MacBook Air M4 from macOS 26 to macOS 27.0, waking from sleep now takes approximately 5–10 seconds before the login screen appears, compared with 1–2 seconds or almost instantly before the update.
Since the change appeared after the update, macOS 27 is relevant to the investigation, although the timing alone does not identify the cause.
Check available internal storage under System Settings >> General >> Storage.
If free space is very low, free a meaningful amount, restart the Mac, and compare wake times again.
Apple: Free up storage space on Mac
Next, compare wake times after approximately 30 seconds, 5–10 minutes, and an hour or more of sleep.
Note whether the display remains black during the delay, the display turns on but the login screen is delayed, or the login screen appears but remains temporarily unresponsive. This helps establish where in the wake process the delay is occurring.
Apple: If your Mac sleeps or wakes unexpectedly
Repeat the test in Safe Mode. Shut down the Mac, hold the power button until startup options appear, select the startup volume, hold Shift, and choose Continue in Safe Mode. Safe Mode can help determine whether software that loads during startup is associated with the behaviour.
Apple: Start up your Mac in safe mode
Also repeat the test with nonessential USB-C/Thunderbolt devices, docks, external displays, drives, and other peripherals disconnected. If the delay disappears, reconnect them individually and test again.
If Safe Mode improves the wake time, examine System Settings >> General >> Login Items & Extensions. Temporarily removing login items and restoring them individually can help identify whether one is associated with the problem.
Apple: Remove login items to resolve problems on Mac
IIf the preceding checks do not identify the problem, run Disk Utility First Aid on the internal storage. Apple states that First Aid can check and repair certain formatting and directory-structure errors.
Back up important data first. For the most complete check of the startup disk, Apple provides instructions for using Disk Utility from macOS Recovery. (Apple Support)
Apple: Repair a Mac storage device with Disk Utility
You can also run Apple Diagnostics to check for detectable hardware problems. On an Apple silicon Mac, shut it down, hold the power button until startup options appear, then hold Command-D to start Apple Diagnostics.
Apple: Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac
If the wake delay continues after these tests, back up the Mac and consider reinstalling macOS from macOS Recovery.
Apple states that reinstalling macOS this way does not normally remove apps or personal data, although making a backup beforehand is recommended. (Apple Support)
I have exactly the same problem on a MacBook Pro M5. It takes exactly 10 seconds to wake from sleep. I've tried all the steps listed, and it still happens in safe mode, etc. I ran a Terminal command that showed the MacBook is waking within 0.3s as normal, so it's just the display.
I have a Genius Bar appointment booked for the weekend, so I'll report back if they're able to fix it.
Delay when returning from sleep or standby mode to the login screen after updating to macOS 27.
