TWWolf
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: iMac won't go to sleep

I have searched the support pages and other threads, but no solutions work. I have a mid 2011 21.5" imac, now running El Capitan 10.11.3. Prior to upgrading the Mac would switch itself on randomly. Now it will not sleep.

 

The Activity Monitor shows the following

Screen Shot 2016-02-16 at 21.55.37.png

Can anyone please help me to put this machine to sleep?

 

Thanks

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Feb 16, 2016 2:07 PM

by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer
Linc Davis Linc Davis
Level 10 (208,044 points)
Applications
A:

Please test after taking each of the following steps that you haven’t already tried:

Step 1

Take all the applicable steps suggested in this support article, including the ones under the heading "If the previous steps don't work." That's the starting point for any further effort to solve the problem.

Note that, as stated in the article, the computer will not sleep if some sharing services are enabled. From the menu bar, select

           ▹ System Preferences... ▹ Sharing

Turn off all sharing services.

Also note that the "external devices" referred to in the article could include Bluetooth devices, other than those made by Apple. If you're using a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro, or if you're using a desktop Mac with a wired keyboard and mouse, turn Bluetooth off to test.

Step 2

If iTunes Music Sharing or Home Sharing is enabled, disable it or quit iTunes. Do the same with any third-party applications that have a similar feature.

Step 3

Select

           ▹ System Preferences... ▹ Accessibility ▹ Speakable Items: Off

Step 4

Select

           ▹ System Preferences... ▹ Bluetooth ▹ Advanced...

and uncheck both boxes marked

          Open Bluetooth Setup Assistant at startup if...

Step 5

Reset the printing system.

Step 6

Back up all data.

Triple-click the line below on this page to select it, then copy the text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination  command-C: 

/var/vm

In the Finder, select

          Go ▹ Go to Folder...

from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You may not see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

A folder named "vm" should open. Inside it, there may be a file named "sleepimage". Move that file, and only that one, to the Trash, but don't empty yet. You'll be prompted for your password. Close the folder window.

Restart the computer and empty the Trash.

Posted on Feb 18, 2016 3:13 PM

Close
TWWolf

Q: iMac won't go to sleep

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Feb 16, 2016 2:30 PM in response to TWWolf
    Level 10 (208,044 points)
    Applications
    Feb 16, 2016 2:30 PM in response to TWWolf

    Please open the Printers & Scanners pane in System Preferences and select each printer, then click

              Open Print Queue...

    If the printer status is "Paused," click the Resume button in the queue inspector. If there are any unfinished jobs, either finish them or delete them.

    If you can't clear out the print queue or get the printer out of Paused status, delete the queue and recreate it.

  • by TWWolf,

    TWWolf TWWolf Feb 16, 2016 2:41 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 16, 2016 2:41 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Thanks, but there was no queue to clear out. When I hit the Apple icon and "sleep", the screen goes off, but the hard drives keep spinning and humming.

     

    Is there anything else I can do to stop cupsd and hidd preventing sleep? This is driving me nuts.

  • by TWWolf,

    TWWolf TWWolf Feb 16, 2016 2:47 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 16, 2016 2:47 PM in response to Linc Davis

    This is what I was getting a couple of days ago...

     

    Screen Shot 2016-02-16 at 22.47.02.png

     

    Any suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks & Kind Regards

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Feb 16, 2016 5:05 PM in response to TWWolf
    Level 10 (208,044 points)
    Applications
    Feb 16, 2016 5:05 PM in response to TWWolf

    You have no printers at all?

  • by TWWolf,

    TWWolf TWWolf Feb 17, 2016 12:54 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 17, 2016 12:54 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Sorry if that was misleading. I have a printer, but it was not in Paused status and there are no print queues or unfinished jobs. It is set to Resume and ready to print. It printed a test page and stayed in Resume.

     

    The iMac still refuses to sleep. When I hit sleep, the screen goes off, but the hard drive keeps spinning.

     

    I would welcome/try any suggested solutions.

     

    Thanks & Kind Regards,

     

    TWWolf

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Feb 18, 2016 3:13 PM in response to TWWolf
    Level 10 (208,044 points)
    Applications
    Feb 18, 2016 3:13 PM in response to TWWolf

    Please test after taking each of the following steps that you haven’t already tried:

    Step 1

    Take all the applicable steps suggested in this support article, including the ones under the heading "If the previous steps don't work." That's the starting point for any further effort to solve the problem.

    Note that, as stated in the article, the computer will not sleep if some sharing services are enabled. From the menu bar, select

               ▹ System Preferences... ▹ Sharing

    Turn off all sharing services.

    Also note that the "external devices" referred to in the article could include Bluetooth devices, other than those made by Apple. If you're using a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro, or if you're using a desktop Mac with a wired keyboard and mouse, turn Bluetooth off to test.

    Step 2

    If iTunes Music Sharing or Home Sharing is enabled, disable it or quit iTunes. Do the same with any third-party applications that have a similar feature.

    Step 3

    Select

               ▹ System Preferences... ▹ Accessibility ▹ Speakable Items: Off

    Step 4

    Select

               ▹ System Preferences... ▹ Bluetooth ▹ Advanced...

    and uncheck both boxes marked

              Open Bluetooth Setup Assistant at startup if...

    Step 5

    Reset the printing system.

    Step 6

    Back up all data.

    Triple-click the line below on this page to select it, then copy the text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination  command-C: 

    /var/vm

    In the Finder, select

              Go ▹ Go to Folder...

    from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You may not see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

    A folder named "vm" should open. Inside it, there may be a file named "sleepimage". Move that file, and only that one, to the Trash, but don't empty yet. You'll be prompted for your password. Close the folder window.

    Restart the computer and empty the Trash.

  • by TWWolf,

    TWWolf TWWolf Feb 18, 2016 1:06 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 18, 2016 1:06 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Linc Davis - Thanks for the tips.

     

    I have been through all of the steps and followed the instructions. However, the vm folder is empty, and the iMac still won't sleep.Screen Shot 2016-02-18 at 21.04.14.png

     

    Please advise if there's anything else I can do?

     

    Kind Regards

  • by TWWolf,

    TWWolf TWWolf Feb 18, 2016 1:09 PM in response to TWWolf
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 18, 2016 1:09 PM in response to TWWolf

    Sorry, there is only 1 App that is stopping sleep now, and it's called hidd:

     

    Screen Shot 2016-02-18 at 21.07.56.png

     

    I look forward to your thoughts.

  • by TWWolf,

    TWWolf TWWolf Feb 18, 2016 3:12 PM in response to TWWolf
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 18, 2016 3:12 PM in response to TWWolf

    LInc Davis, thank you. I spoke too soon. My iMac now sleeps. I will check in the morning to see if it's switched itself back on, but for now that's worked.

     

    THank you very much for your help.

     

    KInd Regards, TWWolf.