Can't wake my MBP from sleep for remote access using VNC

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Level 1

4 points

Can't wake my MBP from sleep for remote access using VNC

I want to be able to access my mac remotely. I don't want to use Back to My Mac (I've tried from a remote computer and it didn't work, not willing to pursue this route and I can't use it when mobile anyway.

So, I decided to take the VNC route to screen share. I can get it working when I'm on my home wifi network (the MBP is ethernet hard-wired). I always leave the MBP on but put it to sleep. The wake from sleep checkbox is checked. I used an iPhone VNC client app to test; at home, it works (as I mentioned), but outside doesn't work. It won't wake up.

Thoughts?

Posted on Oct 22, 2015 11:38 AM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

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209,739 points

Oct 22, 2015 12:17 PM in response to dantheman75

Can you connect from outside when the machine is awake?

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Answer 2

dantheman75 Author

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Oct 22, 2015 1:14 PM in response to Linc Davis

Hmm, good point. Haven't tried yet. Just thought I'd throw it out in case anyone had some enlightening thoughts! I'll report back later...

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Answer 3

dantheman75 Author

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Oct 22, 2015 5:24 PM in response to Linc Davis

Update: Nope, didn't work. Computer awake and connected, iPhone on LTE as though I was 'remote'. Not a peep.

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Answer 4

Oct 22, 2015 6:12 PM in response to dantheman75

Do you have the correct ports open? Is the VNC server running? Is your client trying to connect to the correct ip address? Any error displayed when you try to connect?

See this discussion to see if it helps you. VNC Setup

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

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209,739 points

Oct 22, 2015 9:10 PM in response to dantheman75

The server must have a static (not DHCP) address on the local network. If you're using OS X screen sharing, TCP port 5900 must be forwarded to it. You must have either a static external IP address (uncommon with residential Internet service) or a dynamic DNS name and some means of keeping the record updated.

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Answer 6

dantheman75 Author

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Oct 23, 2015 9:52 AM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks guys. Ok, it all sounds way too complicated to make this work through VNC.

BUT... Back to my Mac should work, right? I log in to icloud from an 'outside' computer, and I can see my mac in the list, but it won't wake from sleep to connect. It just spins and then times out.

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Answer 7

Linc Davis

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209,739 points

Oct 23, 2015 11:09 AM in response to dantheman75

Does that work when the machine is awake?

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Answer 8

dantheman75 Author

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Oct 23, 2015 11:34 AM in response to Linc Davis

It doesn't work either.

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Answer 9

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Oct 23, 2015 2:27 PM in response to dantheman75

Set up and use Back to My Mac - Apple Support

Resolve Back to My Mac status messages in iCloud preferences - Apple Support

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Answer 10

dantheman75 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 3, 2015 3:44 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks for those links, but I'd already been there. Just thought I'd post an update. No dice regarding wake from sleep. I tried this while both Macs were in the same room so I knew what was happening. I set my MBP to go into screensaver but to 'never' sleep. I used another MBP on a different network to try B2MM. It worked!

Then I put my MBP to sleep; nothing. Didn't work.

(Just a note that I tried a third party app which I could use on my iPhone (Presence) and got the same result.)

Leaving my home MBP on all day without sleeping is just not an option. It can't be good for power consumption and my Mac. The option is there to wake on Ethernet activity, so why shouldn't it 'just work'? I'm using a cable modem in bridge mode (standard residential DHCP - no, I don't want to pay for a static IP), with an Apple Airport Express.

Sidebar: Whenever I restart my MBP, Find my Mac checkbox is UNchecked in iCloud preferences. Every time. This means if something happens to my MBP and it gets restarted, I won't be able to track it. Useless! 😟

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Answer 11

dantheman75 Author

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4 points

Nov 9, 2015 10:51 AM in response to dantheman75

Anyone have any experience with not waking from sleep? Is it an issue at the threshold connection (what I mean is the cable modem connection and my Airport Express)?

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