Q: After installing mavericks, the iMac will not wake from sleep properly (at all)

Hi All,

First post here but thought it may assist those with the same ongoing problem.

I have a 2010 iMac and was reading about all the benefits of upgrading to Mavericks rather than staying with the now unsupported Snow Leopard.  So a couple of weeks ago I pressed the upgrade button and installed 10.9.2 onto my machine.

All was well for a while and then after around 5 days I had the same issue of the iMac not waking from sleep. This became so frustrating for me having tried all the good tips and advice on here (that didn't work in my case) - I started the process of re-installing 10.6.8 back onto my iMac.

Having manually backed up all of the system and reformatted my HDD to suit, I then read somewhere (on this thread I think) that a fresh install of 10.9.2 may make a difference.  So before going backwards, I tried a fresh new install using Mavericks on a boot USB key that I made.

Despite being long winded to get everything up an running again (A 10.9.2 Time Machine not being backwards compatible with 10.6.8 apparently) I have now have a new fresh and clean install on my iMac - and touch wood there have been no more instances of my iMac not waking from sleep.  In fact I would go as far to say the the waking up process seems much quicker than it used to be as well as the iMac feeling new again.

Anyhow, I just thought this feedback may help some others out.

I think I may have a clue here.  Since my last post, my wife's 27" iMac 2011 was behaving perfectly.  After installing the new Safari, it started to not wake from sleep again, so I did some imperical fault finding.  I found I had Glims and SIMBL still in application support, neither of which was required any more.  Therefore I deleted them both and all the associated preferences etc.  Looking at the fact that the new Safari caused the relapse, I would put my money on Glims.  All I can say is that since eliminating both these unwanted files, the iMac is behaving perfectly again over four or five days now.

This is a horrible problem. The problem has existed for almost half a year and it's still unresolved after three updates.

<Edited by Host>

This is my first post but have used this forum to solve problems in the past.  I had been following this thread for a while because I have been plagued with this  problem on my mid 2010 iMac.  FYI, I am currently running OSX 10.9.2.  Recently I noticed that my computer was slowing down noticeably and would lockup occasionally.  I used Disk Utility to run the First Aid scans on the iMac Macintosh HD.  I found a series of problems after running the Verify Disk Permissions scan and did the repairs using Repair Disk Permissions.  This corrected the problem that I was experiencing with the system response times and as aan added benefit eliminated the problem that I have been experiencing with waking from sleep.  My iMac has been running problem free for a week or longer.  I hope this helps.

I've had this problem since updating my iMac to OSX 10.9.2; prompted by posts above I've uninstalled Trusteer Rapport and it seems to have worked.

Hey Guys, i ahev found my problem after about  6 months !!! THIS IS WORKING FOR ME and many others !!! problem is with SSD Firmware that i was using which is OCZ veterx 4 sata3 512gb. I was on Firmware 1.3 which is what it ships with but specially for mountain lion issues they updated to 1.5 and OMG it freeking works like a champ now !! please check for all you hard drives and ssd firmware updates. lots of manufacturers of SSD's have come out with new firmware to fix this bug we are all experiencing.

http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?112815-Mac-Bootable-Toolb ox&p=794811&viewfull=1#post794811

http://www.oczforum.com/forum/showthread.php?112815-MAC-BOOTABLE-TOOLBOX

Here is what fixed the problem on my MacMini (Mavericks) immediately:

Unplug all USB-Devices

Even while the beachball was spinning, unplugging my USB Dell 1355cnw printer fixed the problem and gave me the login fields immediately.

Although I do not know why this works, this problem is reproducible on my MacMini. With the Dell printer plugged in, the beachball keeps spinning for 5-10mins before it will allow me to log-in. Without the Dell printer, my Mac works like a charm. However, on another MacMini with the same printer modell, we do not even see this problem.

Therefore, disconnect all USB-accessories and maybe Thunderbolts (not your screen though ;-), Firewires and SD-Cards. Ideally disconnect one-by-one, while the beachball is spinning. If this helps, start adding your accessories one-by-one to identify the troublemaker.

I hope this solves the mistery at least for some of you. I had this problem for more than a month now.

Life is to short for beachballs.

Cheers!

This may be my last post here.  This issue has now been discussed for 14 pages and no real / lasting resolution for the issue (for most cases).

I have taken this one final step and here is what I have done, my results, and resolutions...

Recently (May 5, 2014) purchased a 3 TB Seagate Backup Plus.  Now running Time Machine backups on that external USB 3.0 connected drive

Reformatted my Samsung EVO SSD.  (Second week of May 2014)

Performed a 100% clean install of Mavericks.  This time I did NOT install a previous version and upgrade.  I also did it myself so I was sure that there actually was a clean install performed.  As has been mentioned in other posts, Apple Genius Bar geniuses may not be that reliable or genius.

My OS and all of my program files are on the SSD.  All "data" (documents, pictures, etc.) is on the original 1 TB drive that came with my Mac Mini (Purchased January 2013)  Reinstalled all "programs" fresh from APP store or iso's.

Results - no wake from sleep issues for 1 week using default power settings

Changed settings a bit and began having intermittent wake from sleep problems  (5 total since 3rd week of May)

4 times I was able to get the Mac Mini to wake up by

  1)  unplugging my HP Monitor from the HDMI port.  I am using a DVI converter to connect this non-Apple Monitor  (only monitor on my system)

  2)  began unplugging USB devices one at a time - HP Officejet 4500 series printer unplug did the trick

  3)  Unplugged everything.  Still had to do a hard shut down and restart

  4)  Unplugged all USB's - still would not quit the "Rotating Beachball" on a grey screen.  Unplugged monitor and had instant access/view of logon screen

Reset power settings closer to default times AND did the verify and fix disk permissions tasks

Since doing the above repair of disk permissions I have not had the wake from sleep problem again.  This is my third week with no wake from sleep issues.  One can only hope...

I will once again be pushing the envelope as I have a 256 Samsung EVO Pro SSD coming in the mail.  Once that is installed, I will do the fresh clean install of Mavericks on the new SSD and then use Bootcamp to dual boot my Mini into Mavericks and Windows 7.  This time after installing all programs and hardware, I'll do the repair disk permissions right away.  It seems that after installing my HP 4500 Officejet I began having more frequent instances of the not waking from sleep and as I said, the repair disk permissions trick has worked for now.  I am also going to throw a new 10 port powered USB 3.0 hub into the mix this go around.  I just might have to post one more time.  If he resolutions listed above continue to work and I have no more wake from sleep instances... I will most likely not post again.  If problems come back... I may..  We'll see.

Bottom line: repair disk permissions and if you still experience a wake from sleep instance.. unplug USB items first and monitor as a last resort.

I hope this helps a few folks.

I have been shocked to see how prevalent is the problem and how Apple have done little to sort it out.  The really disturbing aspect of this is that most of the fixes mentioned here  seem to have had a temporary effect - but then the problem returns.  I tried 'restore defaults' on the energy saver preference panel and everything was good for three whole days.  Then it reverted and was worse than ever.

I have had this problem from scratch.  In April I bought a Mac Pro - 'late 2013' - OSX 10.9.3 and  I shall be trying the fixes suggested by others, but I have a workaround that may help until the problem is acknowledged and fixed by Apple.  The new Mac Pro has an illuminated power button like the light on a Mac Book that brightens and fades when it is asleep.  Thus I can see that the SOB is not sleeping when it should be, but just pretending, but screen (AOC) is dark and green indicator not showing.  Persistent pressing keys etc sometimes evokes a screen message "no signal" - nothing more, so nothing doing there.  However, pressing the power button for a short while - less than a second - (I don't want to shut down) starts the sleep indicator fading and brightening.  Now it is asleep, and touching the space bar usually wakes it normally, although occasionally having displayed the screen normally it reverts to its state of pretending to be asleep.   To me it seems the problem is not one of waking it from sleep - it is that sending it to sleep is not succeeding and something slightly different has taken place, something that includes disabling the screen as for sleeping.

Macs without a sleep-indicating illuminated power button might still try this work-around - but wait five seconds or so after the brief touch of the power button, then hit space bar and hey presto - possibly?

I agree with frustration. First time posting, and first time really curious on what Apple is doing with this "Microsoft" like software. Old days, smooth running.

After recent update, you wake up in am to find 27 inch, late 2013 frozen with mouse working and white or black screen (and fan running hard). After hard  shut down and power up, usual fancy keystroke start up zapping of pram etc.... it continues..........

Am i destined to just have fond memories of the Apple of old? What the junk?

I just upgraded my iMac to the latest 27" model and am now encountering this problem.

Not being technically savy these days I was hoping a simple software fix from Apple would solve the problem.

Looks like this problem might even have the Apple engineers stumped if they haven't got it solved from last year.

First time posting for help. I have been using Mac for long time and are having different iMac and Mac Book Air. Never got any problems with wake up and shut down or crashes etc. until my newest iMac (27" late 2012 model, now running 10.9.4) cannot wake up from sleep and have to do I hard start by unplugging and replugging the power cord. The problems happened around 2 months ago in July.  The computer is literally power off, fan is not working, display is completely dark, so pressing and holding the power button at the back doesn't work. Also switched to wired keyboard and wired mouse to eliminate the bluetooth connection problem still NO GOOD!

Took it to Apple Store to repair in early Aug, they at first suggested replacing with a new logic board. They reinstall the OS (but not clean install) and do their testing. However after they testing it for 3 days, they told me they haven't experienced the problem at all (they told me the longest time they let the iMac to sleep is more than 11 hours), and so no replacement of logic board is required.

When I took back, after 2 days, same problems happened again. I went to Apple Store again today and talked to their Genius. They said based on their detailed report on what they have tested, changing the logic board cannot guarantee the problems will resolve!

I am really so upset, and want to get some help here.

Some suggested reasons causing the problems seem like not applicable to me case:

1) Bluetooth Keyboard & mouse problems - eliminated as I switched to wired one

2) USB devices connected - no devices connected with the iMac except for the keyboard and mouse

3) Temperature and humidity of the room - shouldn't be a problem becos the same room also house my older iMac (21" late 2009 model)

4) Software issue - shouldn't be the case as this "problem" 27" late-2012 iMac has identical apps and software as the old iMac EXCEPT this "problem" one has "Microsoft Office for Mac  - 2014" package installed! The older iMac works perfectly without any problems.

Wonder anyone can give me some suggestion, should I change the logic board? Or is it to do with Microsoft Office software (but I need that for my work!)

A Typo in my previous message, the Microsoft Office for Mac package should be 2011.

My 2010 (I think) 27" iMac is experiencing the same issues.  It didn't seem to happen until I made it require a password so I could use Keychain, which I am now pretty much stuck with.  For a while I blamed it on our household internet connection because it seemed to be mostly an issue with Safari (the DSL will occasionally disappear for no apparent reason then come back).  Since then I see it with mail freezing and when trying to enter my password.

I tried using USB keyboard and mouse and that made it seem worse.  I haven't determined if it crashes when the Time Machine backup is plugged in or not.

I had the disk replaced just prior to the recall on them under AppleCare and when running disk utilities it can't find anything wrong.

My suspicion is that based on all the talk, upgrading to Mavericks seems to be the common thread.  I may have missed someone posting with Mavericks installed as the original OS having the crash problem but that doesn't seem to be as prevalent.

I am trying to decide whether to live with it a little longer and see if it goes away with new OS.  What I really want is to blow the whole thing away and install everything fresh.  The problem is that there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to get a DVD to start from scratch with without taking it in and paying someone to do it for me.

As I said before - the problem is that everyone (including Apple techies hunting for a solution) is wondering why the m/c is not waking up - the real problem is that it is not sleeping - unless you send it to sleep.  If it is simply dark screen due to long inactivity, it is NOT sleeping, it is in some other state that Apple really ought to understand and DO SOMETHING ABOUT.   I have since had another proof of this - my first proof is that on a new Mac Pro real sleep is evident - exactly as on a MacBook - by the fading and brightening of the power light.  When this is happening the m/c is definitely sleeping.  Otherwise it is in some other similar - but distinct - condition.  In that state the power light is steady bright.  The second proof of it is that while staring at a black screen waiting interminably for the thing to come to life - suddenly - out of the darkness - I hear the m/c speak to me!  "Attention.  Do you wish to save the file etc etc".  The problem seems to be that in some cases when the m/c has 'timed out' (and should have gone to sleep) it disables the screen as usual but does not achieve the other requirements for 'going to sleep'.  Then, when you try to revive it, it does nothing because there is nothing to do - it is not sleeping so it does not think it needs to wake up - part of which process would be to re-activate the screen.  It is very sad, but as KJonesmd notes, Apple is becoming more like Microsoft every day.