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As a Mac user, one of the common frustrations you may encounter is your computer going to sleep at inconvenient times. Whether you are in the middle of an important task or watching a movie, having your Mac go to sleep can be quite disruptive. However, there are ways to prevent this from happening and keep your computer awake when you need it the most. In this blog post, we will explore different methods to keep your computer from sleeping on a Mac and provide step-by-step instructions on how to implement them.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we delve into the different methods, let’s take a look at what you will need:
- A Mac computer running on macOS
- Administrative access to your Mac
- Basic knowledge of system settings and preferences
What Requires Your Focus?
When it comes to keeping your Mac from sleeping, there are a few areas that require your attention:
- Energy Saver settings
- Third-party applications
- Power management options
Method 1. How to Keep Your Computer From Sleeping Via Energy Saver Settings
One of the simplest ways to prevent your Mac from sleeping is by adjusting the Energy Saver settings. These settings control the sleep behavior of your computer based on your preferences. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to the Apple menu and click on "System Preferences".
- Click on "Energy Saver".
- In the "Battery" tab, drag the "Computer sleep" slider to "Never".
- In the "Power Adapter" tab, drag the "Computer sleep" slider to "Never".
- Click on "Save" to apply the changes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides a simple and straightforward way to keep your Mac awake. | 1. Constantly keeping your Mac awake can drain the battery faster. |
| 2. No need to install any additional software or applications. | 2. May not be suitable for users who prefer their Mac to sleep after a certain period of inactivity. |
| 3. Allows you to easily switch back to the default sleep settings when needed. | 3. Disabling sleep mode completely may not be recommended for certain tasks or scenarios. |
Method 2. How to Keep Your Computer From Sleeping Via Third-Party Applications
If you prefer a more flexible approach, there are several third-party applications available that can help you prevent your Mac from sleeping. These applications offer additional features and customization options to suit your specific needs. Follow these steps to use one of these applications:
- Download and install a third-party application such as "Amphetamine" or "Caffeine" from the Mac App Store.
- Launch the application.
- Adjust the settings according to your preferences, such as preventing sleep when certain applications are running or keeping your Mac awake for a specific duration.
- Enable the application to run at startup if desired.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides more advanced features and customization options compared to the Energy Saver settings. | 1. Requires additional installation and setup. |
| 2. Allows you to set specific conditions for keeping your Mac awake, such as when certain applications are active. | 2. Some third-party applications may have compatibility issues with certain macOS updates. |
| 3. Offers the flexibility to temporarily disable sleep mode or set a custom duration. | 3. Some third-party applications may have a cost associated with their advanced features. |
Method 3. How to Keep Your Computer From Sleeping Via Power Management Options
In addition to the Energy Saver settings and third-party applications, you can also adjust power management options in macOS to prevent your Mac from sleeping. This method involves using Terminal commands to modify the system settings. Here’s how:
- Open Terminal, which can be found in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo pmset -a sleep 0 - Enter your administrator password when prompted.
- The sleep mode will be disabled, and your Mac will no longer go to sleep unless manually put to sleep or shut down.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides a low-level control over power management settings on your Mac. | 1. Inappropriate modification of power management settings can potentially impact system stability and power consumption. |
| 2. Can be used to disable sleep mode completely. | 2. Requires knowledge of Terminal commands and administrative access. |
| 3. Allows you to fine-tune power management options based on your specific preferences. | 3. Incorrect use of Terminal commands can have unintended consequences. |
Method 4. How to Keep Your Computer From Sleeping Using External Devices
Another way to prevent your Mac from sleeping is by utilizing external devices. This method involves connecting a peripheral device, such as a keyboard or mouse, to your computer and enabling a specific setting to keep your Mac awake. Here’s how you can do it:
- Connect a peripheral device, such as a keyboard or mouse, to your Mac.
- Go to the Apple menu and click on "System Preferences".
- Click on "Bluetooth" and ensure that the peripheral device is connected and recognized by your Mac.
- Click on "Keyboard" or "Mouse", depending on the peripheral device you are using.
- Enable the option "Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off."
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Offers a hands-free solution to prevent your Mac from sleeping. | 1. Requires the use of an external device, which may not be convenient for all users. |
| 2. Can be used to keep your Mac awake during specific tasks, such as presentations or watching movies. | 2. The peripheral device needs to be connected and recognized by your Mac. |
| 3. Provides an additional layer of control over sleep behavior based on the display status. | 3. Requires manual configuration and may not offer as much flexibility as other methods. |
Why Can’t I Keep My Computer From Sleeping?
There may be several reasons why you are unable to keep your computer from sleeping on your Mac. Here are a few common issues and their fixes:
- Your Energy Saver settings are overriding other settings.
- Fix: Adjust the settings in the Energy Saver preferences as mentioned in Method 1 to ensure they are set to "Never".
- A third-party application is conflicting with sleep prevention settings.
- Fix: Temporarily disable or uninstall the third-party application and see if the issue persists.
- Incorrect use of Terminal commands.
- Fix: Double-check the commands entered in Terminal and ensure they are correct. If in doubt, revert the changes made or seek assistance.
Implications and Recommendations
While keeping your Mac from sleeping can be useful in certain situations, it is important to consider the implications and make wise decisions regarding sleep behavior. Here are some recommendations:
- Take energy consumption into account, especially if you are using a portable Mac. Keeping your computer awake constantly can drain the battery faster.
- Monitor the temperature of your Mac. Disabling sleep mode completely can potentially cause overheating, especially during resource-intensive tasks.
- Consider using power management options and third-party applications that offer customization features. This allows you to strike a balance between keeping your Mac awake and conserving power when not needed.
5 FAQs about Keeping Your Computer From Sleeping on a Mac
Q1: Can I keep my Mac from sleeping when the lid is closed?
A1: Yes, you can prevent your Mac from sleeping when the lid is closed by connecting an external display, keyboard, or mouse and adjusting the settings in the Energy Saver preferences.
Q2: Will keeping my Mac awake all the time reduce its lifespan?
A2: Keeping your Mac awake constantly may increase wear and tear on certain components, such as the display or cooling system. However, modern Macs are designed to handle extended periods of use without significant impact on lifespan.
Q3: Are there any downsides to using third-party applications to keep my Mac awake?
A3: Some third-party applications may have compatibility issues with certain macOS updates, which can result in unexpected behavior or system instability. It is important to keep your applications up to date and use trusted sources for downloading them.
Q4: Can I still put my Mac to sleep manually if I have disabled sleep mode?
A4: Yes, even if sleep mode is disabled, you can manually put your Mac to sleep by selecting the sleep option from the Apple menu or pressing the power button.
Q5: Should I disable sleep mode completely on my Mac?
A5: Disabling sleep mode completely may not be recommended for most users, as it can lead to increased power consumption, reduced battery life, and potential overheating. It is advisable to use the available settings and methods to strike a balance between keeping your Mac awake when needed and conserving power when not in use.
Final Words
Keeping your Mac from sleeping can be a useful feature, especially when you need uninterrupted access to your computer. By adjusting the Energy Saver settings, using third-party applications, modifying power management options, or utilizing external devices, you can prevent your Mac from going to sleep and ensure productivity or enjoyment without interruptions. However, it is essential to consider the implications and make wise decisions based on your specific needs and circumstances.