If your MacBook refuses to go to sleep, there could be multiple causes and some simple solutions. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common reasons your MacBook may stay awake and what you can do to resolve the issue.
Check for Connected Peripherals (Most Common Cause)
One of the most common reasons a MacBook won’t sleep is due to connected external peripherals. These may include:
- Keyboards
- Mice
- Audio interfaces
- USB hubs
- External storage devices
Many people don’t realise that external devices continue drawing power from the MacBook even when the lid is closed. If a device is still active or requires power, it may prevent the MacBook from entering sleep mode.
The Fix:
Disconnect any physically connected peripherals before closing the lid or when you want the MacBook to sleep. If your setup requires external devices, consider using a powered USB hub so the MacBook isn’t responsible for powering them.
Check Your Sleep Settings
If nothing is physically connected to your MacBook, the next step is to review your sleep settings.
How to Check Sleep Settings:
- Open System Settings.
- Go to Battery.
- Select Options.
- Look for the Sleep settings.
Ensure that automatic sleep is enabled. If sleep is turned off, or set to Never your MacBook will remain awake even when idle.
Run an Apple Diagnostics Test (Hardware Issues)
If you’ve tried the above steps and your MacBook still won’t sleep, the issue may be hardware related. Running Apple Diagnostics can help identify internal hardware faults.
Follow our guide here to run an Apple Diagnostics test.
Common Hardware Error: Lid Angle Sensor (LAS)
If Diagnostics returns one of the following error codes, it usually indicates a problem with the Lid Angle Sensor:
- LAS001
- LAS002
- LAS003
- LAS004
This sensor detects whether the MacBook lid is open or closed. If the sensor fails, the MacBook may think the lid is still open preventing it from going to sleep.
Your Options if the Lid Angle Sensor is Faulty:
- Visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider: They can diagnose and repair the hardware professionally.
- Use Apple Self Service Repair: Apple provides official parts and tools for those comfortable performing repairs themselves. Learn more in our guide here.
