A MacBook that does not wake from sleep may have a drained battery, a temporary software freeze, a display problem, or an issue with connected accessories. Start by pressing a key or clicking the trackpad, then connect the MacBook to power. If the screen remains black, force it to shut down only as a last resort, then restart it and work through the troubleshooting steps below.
Quick Answer
- Connect your MacBook to its charger and wait a few minutes.
- Press a key, click the trackpad, or briefly press the power button.
- Disconnect external displays, USB devices, hubs, and other accessories.
- If the MacBook is still unresponsive, press and hold the power button until it turns off. Wait a few seconds, then press it again to start the MacBook.
- Install available macOS updates and check for apps or settings that may interfere with sleep and wake.
- If the problem continues, test Safe Mode and Apple Diagnostics. Repeated failures may indicate a battery, display, logic board, or other hardware problem.
1. Check Whether the MacBook Is Actually On
A black screen does not always mean the MacBook is turned off. The computer may be running while the display is not responding.
Try these basic actions:
- Press any key on the keyboard.
- Click or press the trackpad.
- Briefly press the power button or Touch ID button.
- Raise the display angle slightly, then open it again.
- Connect the MacBook to power.
Look for signs that the MacBook is active. The keyboard backlight may turn on, the fan may run, or the trackpad may click normally. If you hear notification sounds but see no picture, the issue may be limited to the display or its connection rather than sleep itself.
If the battery is completely empty, the MacBook may need several minutes of charging before it responds. Use a charger and cable that you know work, and connect the charger directly to the MacBook rather than through a dock or hub.
2. Disconnect Accessories and External Displays
A USB device, dock, hub, external drive, or display can prevent a MacBook from waking correctly. A malfunctioning accessory may also make the MacBook appear frozen.
Disconnect everything that is not required:
- External displays
- USB hubs and docks
- External hard drives and flash drives
- Printers
- iPhone or iPad cables
- SD cards
- Ethernet adapters
- Third-party keyboards, mice, and controllers
Leave only the power adapter connected. Then try to wake the MacBook again.
If it wakes normally, reconnect accessories one at a time. Put the MacBook to sleep after adding each device. When the problem returns, the last device or its software may be responsible. Check that accessory for firmware updates, replace its cable, or connect it directly instead of using a hub.
If the MacBook repeatedly wakes or sleeps at the wrong time rather than failing to wake entirely, see how to fix a Mac that sleeps or wakes unexpectedly.
3. Try a Display Reset
If the MacBook seems to be running but the screen stays black, macOS may have failed to restore the display after sleep.
First, close the lid for several seconds and open it again. If you use an external display, disconnect it and test the MacBook with its built-in screen.
You can also try restarting the graphics session with a keyboard shortcut:
- Press Command-Option-Esc.
- If the Force Quit Applications window appears, press Esc to close it.
- Wait a few seconds and try waking the MacBook again.
This shortcut does not normally erase files. However, do not force quit an application unless you understand that unsaved work in that application may be lost.
If the built-in screen remains black but the MacBook works with an external display, the issue may involve the display, its cable, brightness controls, or related hardware. If neither display works, continue with a restart.
4. Force the MacBook to Shut Down and Restart
A forced shutdown can resolve a complete freeze, but it can also close applications without saving work. Use this step only when normal wake and restart actions do not work.
- Press and hold the power button or Touch ID button.
- Continue holding it until the MacBook turns off. This may take several seconds.
- Wait at least 10 seconds.
- Press the power button once to start the MacBook.
If the MacBook has a separate Touch ID button, use that button as the power button. Do not repeatedly press keys while it is shutting down.
After macOS starts, check whether the issue was a one-time freeze. If it happens again, avoid immediately putting the MacBook to sleep until you complete the next steps.
5. Install macOS and App Updates
An outdated operating system or application can cause problems during sleep and wake. After restarting:
- Open the Apple menu.
- Select System Settings.
- Click General.
- Select Software Update.
- Install available updates and restart if macOS requests it.
Also update applications downloaded from the App Store:
- Open the App Store.
- Click Updates in the sidebar, if available.
- Install pending updates.
For applications installed directly from a developer, open the application and look for its update option. Pay particular attention to utilities that manage displays, keyboards, window layouts, battery charging, virtualization, antivirus protection, or system performance. These programs can interact with sleep and wake behavior.
Before updating, save your work and keep the MacBook connected to power. Some updates require a restart.
6. Check Sleep and Power Settings
A setting or scheduled action may be making the MacBook appear unresponsive.
Open System Settings, then select Lock Screen. Review the options that control when the display turns off and when the Mac requires a password. These settings do not normally prevent waking, but they can make the wake process seem different.
Next, open System Settings > Battery. Review the battery status and power options. If the battery is critically low or the MacBook reports a service recommendation, power-related problems may be involved.
Temporarily disable or quit third-party utilities that:
- Keep the Mac awake
- Force sleep or wake schedules
- Control battery charging
- Change display behavior
- Prevent the display from sleeping
- Manage external monitors
Test the MacBook after each change. Do not change several settings at once if you need to identify the cause.
7. Test Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts macOS with limited software and performs additional checks. It can help determine whether login items, extensions, caches, or other startup components are causing the wake problem.
The procedure depends on whether the MacBook has Apple silicon or an Intel processor.
Apple silicon MacBook
- Shut down the MacBook completely.
- Press and hold the power button until Loading startup options appears.
- Select a startup volume.
- Hold the Shift key, then click Continue in Safe Mode.
- Sign in.
Intel-based MacBook
- Shut down the MacBook.
- Turn it on and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
- Release the key when the login window appears.
- Sign in.
Safe Mode may look different or take longer to start. Test sleep and wake while you are signed in. If the MacBook wakes normally in Safe Mode, a startup item, system extension, or third-party utility is a likely cause.
To investigate, restart normally and open System Settings > General > Login Items. Review applications and background activities that start automatically. Disable only items you recognize, then test again. Removing a login item changes what starts when you sign in, but it does not uninstall the application.
8. Run Apple Diagnostics
Apple Diagnostics can help identify hardware issues involving the battery, logic board, memory, or other components. Disconnect external devices first, leaving the power adapter, keyboard, mouse, display, and network connection attached if needed.
Apple silicon MacBook
- Shut down the MacBook.
- Press and hold the power button.
- Keep holding it until startup options appear.
- Continue holding Command-D until diagnostics begins, or select the available diagnostics option if shown.
Intel-based MacBook
- Shut down the MacBook.
- Turn it on and immediately press and hold the D key.
- Release the key when Apple Diagnostics starts.
Follow the onscreen instructions and write down any reference code. A code does not always identify the exact failed part, but it gives Apple or an authorized service provider useful information.
If the MacBook will not remain on long enough to run diagnostics, or if it repeatedly fails to wake after a forced restart, arrange professional service.
Troubleshooting
The MacBook wakes only after a forced shutdown
This usually indicates a temporary system freeze, an incompatible background utility, an accessory problem, or a hardware issue. Install updates, remove unnecessary login items, test without accessories, and use Safe Mode. If the problem continues, run Apple Diagnostics.
The MacBook wakes, but the trackpad or keyboard does not work
Disconnect external input devices and test the built-in keyboard and trackpad. If they work after a restart but fail again after sleep, update macOS and check for utilities that modify keyboard, mouse, or trackpad behavior.
A Bluetooth accessory may also be reconnecting incorrectly. Turn the accessory off before putting the MacBook to sleep, then test wake behavior using the built-in controls.
The screen is black, but an external display works
Adjust brightness, close and reopen the lid, and restart without the external display connected. If the built-in display remains black while the MacBook otherwise works, arrange service because the display or its internal connection may be faulty.
The MacBook wakes but immediately freezes or restarts
Check available storage in System Settings > General > Storage, install macOS updates, and test in Safe Mode. Remove recently installed system utilities or extensions. If the Mac becomes unusually hot or slow after waking, a runaway process may be consuming system resources; learn how to troubleshoot the kernel_task process.
The MacBook will not turn on after the forced shutdown
Connect the charger directly and check the cable, adapter, and outlet. Wait several minutes, then try the power button again. If there is no charging indication, no screen activity, and no response to startup key combinations, the battery, charger, or internal hardware may require service.
The problem began after installing an app or accessory
Unplug the accessory or uninstall the recently added software, then restart and test sleep and wake. If the software cannot be removed normally, use Safe Mode. Save important files before making further changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will forcing a MacBook to shut down delete my files?
A forced shutdown does not normally delete stored files, but it can cause unsaved work to be lost and may interrupt an update or file operation. Use it only when the MacBook does not respond to normal controls.
How long should I wait before forcing a restart?
If the MacBook shows no response after connecting power and trying the keyboard, trackpad, and power button, wait a few minutes. Then use a forced shutdown rather than repeatedly pressing buttons.
Can a low battery prevent a MacBook from waking?
Yes. A critically low or empty battery can make the MacBook appear unresponsive. Connect a working charger directly and allow time for the battery to recover before trying to start it.
Should I reset the SMC?
On newer MacBook models, SMC reset instructions used for older Intel Macs do not apply in the same way. Start with a power connection, forced restart, software updates, Safe Mode, and Apple Diagnostics. For model-specific reset guidance, use Apple’s official support resources or contact Apple Support.
When should I seek professional repair?
Seek service if the MacBook repeatedly fails to wake, will not start after charging, shows physical or liquid damage, becomes unusually hot, reports a battery service warning, or produces Apple Diagnostics reference codes.
Final Thoughts
Start with power, a brief wake attempt, and accessory removal. If the MacBook remains frozen, force a shutdown, update macOS, and test Safe Mode. Repeated wake failures—especially alongside charging, display, or overheating problems—should be investigated with Apple Diagnostics and professional service.