More sleep mode issues and questions ....

When I first got my late 2015 iMac earlier this year, I found I needed to hit a key two or three times to get it out of sleep mode. Then, after an update, it seemed to work fine and would come right out of sleep mode after one tap of a key.

A few days ago I restarted the computer, since I hadn't done that for a long time, and started having issues with sleep mode again. Now, when I tap a key, the screen comes on then goes to grey. I then have to tap a key again, and it wakes up normally. It seems to work fine if it's been asleep for shorter periods of time, but will have issues after an overnight sleep. I've tried variations within sleep mode, including the default settings, with no effect. I have done two or three restarts since this started, and the problem persists.

I'm now trying "never" sleep and have enabled a screen saver. If that works with no issues, I'll use that for now. Is there any real reason to use the sleep mode on a desktop iMac? Power consumption is a non-issue. Does not using sleep mode have any negative effect on any component?

I've read about issues with sleep mode, but I haven't seen any quite like the issue I'm currently having.

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 16, 2016 7:45 AM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

136,349 points

May 16, 2016 7:49 AM in response to saholz

Any Late 2012 or later iMac will go into Safe Sleep after 4 hours have passed assuming nothing has interrupted Sleep such as waking for network access etc. To wake an iMac from Safe sleep just press the power button once.

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Answer 2

saholz Author

Level 1

49 points

May 16, 2016 7:56 AM in response to dialabrain

Thank you for the response. Shouldn't pressing any key wake up the computer from Safe Sleep as well? I haven't tried hitting the power button, assuming the key press would be fine. Is that wrong or less reliable in any way?

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

136,349 points

May 16, 2016 8:08 AM in response to saholz

I can't find the exact page I was looking for but here is one…

If you see a progress bar when your Mac wakes from sleep - Apple Support

Basically more of the computer's systems shutdown to conserve energy. I never saw it specified but I would assume that could include WiFi, Bluetooth, USB etc.

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Answer 4

saholz Author

Level 1

49 points

May 16, 2016 8:17 AM in response to dialabrain

I understand that, after extended periods of time, the computer enters the safe sleep mode. My issue is the inconsistency in the waking process, where a key stroke may or may not re-awaken the computer. It worked for months with one key stroke, now I have to hit the keyboard two or three times to get it back. It is a real pain, not knowing if or how it will come out of sleep mode. Again, I haven't had a chance to try the power button instead of the keyboard but, hopefully, that will provide better results.

Thanks again.

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

136,349 points

May 16, 2016 8:39 AM in response to saholz

You're welcome. I can't add to what I've already said. My 2015 iMac has never been asleep for more than 2-2.5 hours and pressing any key always wakes mine. I use wired keyboards so that may make a difference as well.

It's possible there may be an issue. I guess you could force your iMac to sleep, wait until you're sure it's asleep and see if pressing just one key wakes it or not.

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