iMac won't wake from sleep or shuts off

Question

iMac won't wake from sleep or shuts off

Hi

I have a iMac 27-inch, late 2013, 3.2GHz Intel Core i5, 8GB 1600 MHz DDR3, 3.12TB that, in the last six months or so, will frequently refuse to wake from sleep mode. To turn it back on I have to unplug the power supply for an number of seconds before it will start. I tried turning off the sleep mode option which prevented this problem but instead resulted in seemingly random shut downs of the computer. Having googled the issue I have reset the SMC and NVRAM to no avail. Any thoughts?

Thanks

Posted on Feb 21, 2018 3:35 AM

Reply

Answer 1

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Feb 21, 2018 3:48 PM in response to JesmondKintbury

Hey there, Jesmond!

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities. After reading your post, I understand that your iMac isn't waking from sleep as expected. In fact, sometimes it doesn't wake, but instead shuts itself down. I rely on my Mac to be ready to work when I am, so I understand wanting to get this resolved. I'm happy to help!

Based on what you've described, I would recommend going through the following steps, from the "If your Mac doesn't wake when you expect" and "If the previous steps don't work" section of If your Mac doesn't sleep or wake when expected - Apple Support :

If your Mac doesn't wake when you expect

Your Mac might pause a few seconds before it wakes up. If it doesn't seem to wake at all, check for these possibilities:

Your screen brightness might be turned down.

If you're using an external display, your display might be turned off.

Your Mac might be in safe sleep. To wake from safe sleep, press the power button.

Check for a sleep indicator light, if applicable, and make sure that your Mac isn't turned off.

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 you still see the issue, contact Apple Support.

Have a wonderful day!

Reply

iMac won't wake from sleep or shuts off

Similar questions