mitchellpage
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: How to properly put iMac to sleep

Previously when I was running Mavericks, when I put my iMac to sleep it went to sleep properly (by which I mean I could hear the hard disks stop 'whirring' and the computer looked to be turned off, until I pressed a button on keyboard or clicked the mouse) and it would take a few seconds for the login screen to appear when it was time to wake up.

 

But now after moving up to Yosemite, whenever I put it to sleep it doesn't seem to go to sleep properly. The display goes off but I can hear the computer running still - not for a short while, the whole time its sleeping its running. I can hear the hard disks whirring away, and when I tap keyboard or mouse I see login screen in <1 second.

 

I've attached screenshots of my energy saver & screensaver preferences, hoping someone can help me figure this one out how I can put my iMac to sleep properly again.

 

Thank you

Screen Shot 2016-10-05 at 6.48.48 pm.pngScreen Shot 2016-10-05 at 6.49.07 pm.png

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 5, 2016 12:59 AM

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mitchellpage

Q: How to properly put iMac to sleep

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  • by braden85,

    braden85 braden85 Oct 5, 2016 5:46 PM in response to mitchellpage
    Community Specialists
    Oct 5, 2016 5:46 PM in response to mitchellpage
    Hi mitchellpage,

    I understand that your Mac isn't going to sleep properly after your upgrade to Yosemite from Mavericks. I'd like to help out!

    I recommend following these steps to address this issue:
     

    If your Mac doesn't go to sleep when you expect

    Check your Energy Saver settings as described above, and be aware that your Mac won't automatically go to sleep unless it's inactive:

    • The same network activities that can wake your Mac can also keep your Mac from sleeping.
    • Any app or other process that's running on your Mac could also be keeping your Mac awake. Check the Energy Saver pane of Activity Monitor to identify apps that need your Mac to be awake. If "Yes" appears in the Preventing Sleep column for an app, your Mac won't automatically sleep while the app is running. Other apps prevent sleep only when doing certain things, such playing music or video, or printing, or downloading files.

     


    If you don't see any apps listed in Activity Monitor that could be preventing sleep, please follow these steps next:
     

    If the previous steps don't work

    These additional steps may help identify or resolve the issue: 

    • Reset the SMC.
    • Reset NVRAM.
    • Disconnect external devices other than your Apple keyboard, mouse, and display. If that resolves the issue, gradually reconnect your devices, testing each time, until you find the device that is interfering with sleep. Then check the documentation that came with the device, or contact the device manufacturer.
    • Start up in Safe Mode to see if the issue is related to non-Apple startup items, login items, or kernel extensions. 
    • Try to isolate the issue by using another user account. 

    If your Mac doesn't sleep or wake when expected - Apple Support


    Take care!