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Mac Wont Sleep – How to Fix It 2026 Guide

Why Choose Keith Thomas

20 years of experience as a Senior Apple Support Specialist at Apple Computer UK HQ.

• Former Apple Computer UK Mac Support Specialist and Apple Authorised Service Provider background.

Established and Independent since 2010 for on‑site Apple Support Service – no call centres, no outsourcing, no hardware repairs. Over 25,000+ Apple problems resolved. Unique on-site Apple Support Service. backed up with Independent Apple Telephone Support Assistance.

• Trusted by home users, small businesses, and professionals across London and the South East UK.• Clear, honest, software‑only support. No Hardware Repairs. Expert Apple Consultancy Service.

On‑site Apple Mac Support in London and the South East UK

What this page covers

This guide explains the real reasons a Mac won’t sleep properly, the steps you can try yourself, and when it’s time to get professional on‑site help. It applies to:

• MacBook Air

• MacBook Pro

• iMac

• Mac mini

• Mac Studio

If your Mac stays awake, wakes up immediately, or won’t sleep when you close the lid, this page is for you.

The most common reasons a Mac won’t sleep

These are the issues that Keith Thomas identifies most often during on‑site visits:

• Background apps preventing sleep

• Bluetooth devices waking the Mac

• Power Nap enabled

• Sharing settings keeping the Mac awake

• External drives preventing sleep

• macOS update issues

• Damaged system files

• Corrupted user account

Quick checks you can do yourself

These steps solve around 60% of sleep issues.

Check 1 – Restart the Mac

A restart clears temporary sleep and wake processes.

Check 2 – Close all apps

Apps like Zoom, Chrome, and Teams can prevent sleep.

Check 3 – Disconnect external drives

Some drives prevent sleep due to indexing or power draw.

Check 4 – Disable Power Nap

System Settings → Battery → Power Nap → Off.

If Mac wakes up immediately after sleeping

This usually means:

• Bluetooth devices waking the Mac

• Network access enabled during sleep

• Sharing settings active

Try:

• System Settings → Bluetooth → Turn off Bluetooth

• System Settings → Sharing → Turn off all sharing options

• Restarting the Mac

If Mac won’t sleep when lid is closed

This usually means:

• External display or drive connected

• Clamshell mode active

• Sleep settings misconfigured

Try:

• Disconnect all external devices

• System Settings → Battery → Check sleep settings

• Restarting the Mac

If Mac won’t sleep after a macOS update

This usually means:

• Spotlight indexing

• iCloud syncing

• App incompatibility

Try:

• Leaving the Mac plugged in for a few hours

• Restarting the Mac

• Updating all apps

If sleep issues affect only one user account

This usually means:

• Corrupted user account

• Damaged preferences

• Permissions issues

Try:

• Testing sleep on another user account

• Restarting the Mac

• Reinstalling macOS without erasing data

When DIY stops working

You should get on‑site help if:

• Mac refuses to sleep repeatedly

• Mac wakes up instantly every time

• macOS reinstall does not fix the issue

• Disk Utility shows errors

• You need your data preserved

These issues usually require:

• Sleep and system configuration repair

• macOS recovery

• Data‑safe macOS reinstall

• User account repair

• Permissions and system file diagnostics

On‑Site Apple Mac Support – London & South East UK

If your Mac won’t sleep, Keith Thomas provides an often same‑day on‑site support service across:

• Central London

• West, North, South and East London

• Surrey

• Berkshire

• Hampshire

• Wiltshire

Keith Thomas is a Mac Support Specialist in:

• Mac sleep and wake issues

• macOS configuration repair

• Data‑safe macOS recovery

• macOS reinstall and repair

• iCloud and Apple Account issues

• New Mac setup and migration

• User account and permissions diagnostics

Book on‑site help in London and the South East UK

If your Mac won’t sleep, Keith Thomas can visit your home or office and get you working again.

Keith Thomas – Apple Mac Support Specialist

Established 2010 – Open 09:30–20:30, 7 Days

Contact Keith Thomas by Telephone: 07800 940756 or by Text to: 07800 940756, or simply complete an online website contact form 24/7