FIX: MacBook, MacBook Pro or Air Not Turning Off When Lid Closed

MacBook is not turning off when the lid is closed, and it’s a painful problem for the content creators. Apple developers worked on the lid mechanism and users’ behavior patterns. The macOS software conserves energy or puts the machine in sleep mode to charge faster. Users are complaining about the MacBook’s response to the closed lid function. Of course, it’s an easy fix when official solutions are applied. We should consider the hardware-level problems, and I will provide a solution to counter them.

Why is MacBook not Sleeping When the Lid is Closed?

Millions close the lid to end the session of the MacBook. The software doesn’t shut down the applications, documents, files, and loaded programs in the meantime. You can come back anytime and resume the work where you left off. However, the software will consume the battery life if the machine is not going into sleep mode. I have shared a few valid reasons why Mac is resisting the command.

Older MacBook

Apple has supported much older MacBooks for seven to nine years. The newer software may have conflicts with the older CPU, GPU, memory, etc. The manufacturer releases updated drivers, but the GPU or CPU manufacturer stops supporting the internal components sooner or later. Apple’s proprietary silicon M1 and M2 chips support will last longer than Intel or AMD chips inside the Mac computers. The latest macOS could be causing the problem.

macOS Bugs/Glitches:

Software bugs and glitches are common, even for macOS. I never recommend the readers to update the machine to the latest edition on day one. Wait a month or two for the reviews, news, and complaints to drop on social media or blogs. Nonetheless, I have shown you how to counter the problem below.

Incompatible Program:

The Cupertino-based company releases a new macOS edition every year. The third-party program developers don’t get a heads up. The M1 chip was running an Intel-optimized program in an emulator. The developers spent many days, weeks, and months releasing an update for the latest silicon SoC.

Why am I bringing this up now?

The program is preventing the macOS from putting the machine into sleep mode. A program might be consuming power in the background. Identify the power-hungry application and end the process.

Incorrect Setting:

One incorrect setting can prevent macOS from putting the computer into sleep mode. I have shown you a solution below and corrected the setting in the latest macOS software.

Hardware Failure:

Apple designed the premium hinge mechanism a decade ago. Enthusiastic love the hinge that opens the top lid with one finger. The hinge also has a lid switch board that detects the action. A faulty lid switch board doesn’t pass the information to the software. Reach Apple to rectify the hardware failure.

FIX: MacBook Not Turning Off When Lid Closed

Apply the solutions mentioned below and confirm your doubts. We don’t need third-party tools developed by sketchy users.

Shut Down MacBook Air/Pro

Apple optimized the macOS software for business people, content creators, music producers, and video editors. The Cupertino-based manufacturer understood the pain of the content producers. So they added the sleep mode feature, so the producers resume the work where they left off. However, the operating system accumulates junk over time. Save background work and end the session.

1. Click on the Apple logo.

2. Click the “Shut Down” option from the drop-down menu.

3. Click “Shut Down” again.

Let your computer sleep for a few minutes. Close the lid and let the MacBook sleep for a while. Turn on the MacBook after five minutes, then check the solution’s effectiveness.

Correct Power Setting in macOS

The macOS power settings allow the users to save power and activate sleep mode when the lid is closed. The power setting altered somehow, and you are facing the issue. Let me show you how to disable the power setting.

1. Click on the Apple logo.

2. Click on the “System Preferences” option.

3. Click on the “Battery” from the window.

4. Choose the “Energy Saver” option.

5. Choose the “Power Adapter” from the left side panel.

6. Move the slider backwards.

Close the System Preferences window. Restart MacBook.

Disable Bluetooth Wake Setting

The macOS allows the connected Bluetooth devices to wake up the computer. We all have connected smartphones, headphones, smartwatches, etc. One of the connected BT devices woke up the Mac computer. Follow the tutorial and disable all BT devices from waking up the Apple computer.

1. Click on the Apple logo.

2. Click on the “System Preferences” option.

3. Click on the “Bluetooth” from the window.

4. Click on the “Advanced” option.

5. Find the “Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer” option.

6. Uncheck the feature.

Reboot the Apple computer. The connected BT devices lose the permission to wake the MacBook.

Fix Power Adapter Settings

You can allow/disallow macOS and change the behavior of the operation. The screen does not go black after the lid is closed on the Mac computer. The behavior pattern might have changed, and a setting could be the reason behind it. Let’s inspect the power adopter settings and find out the culprit.

1. Click on the Apple logo.

2. Click on the “System Preferences” option.

3. Click on the “Battery” from the window.

Click “Energy Saver” in some editions.

4. Choose the correct setting in the “Turn display off after” option.

Read all options and choose sleep mode from the Power Adopter settings.

1. Go to “Power Adapter” settings.

2. Disable the “Wake for network access” option.

You have successfully rectified all settings that cause the Mac sleep mode problems.

Reset SMC

SMC stands for System Management Controller. Apple utilizes SMC to control power-related mechanisms. Resetting the SMC may resolve the sleep mode issue in the MacBook. The M1/M2 SoC resets the SMC by restarting the computer.

Reset SMC on MacBook Pro (2009 – 2017):

You can follow the same tutorial for MacBook models except for the 13-inches 2009 model.

1. Remove the power cable and shut down the macOS machine.

2. Press & hold Shift + Control + Option keys on the built-in keyboard.

3. Press & hold the Power button while holding the Shift + Control + Option keys.

4. Release all keys after eleven seconds.

5. Turn on the MacBook.

You have successfully reset the SMC information. The system will create a new SMC file in the next session.

Reset SMC of MacBooks with T2 Security Chip:

All MacBook Air/Pro models released in 2018 or later have a T2 security chip. Remove the power cable from the system.

1. Shut down the macOS machine.

2. Press & hold Shift + Control + Option keys on the built-in keyboard.

3. Press & hold the Power button while holding the Shift + Control + Option keys.

4. The MacBook turns on and shuts down.

Do not release the keys when the computer turns on.

5. Release all keys after seven seconds.

6. Power on the computer.

The macOS software deletes the previous SMC data from the system. The system generates new SMC data and you don’t have to worry about messing up the software.

Reset NVRAM in macOS

NVRAM (formerly PRAM in older macOS) stores system data, including power data. Mac owners don’t have to worry about messing up the system. Resetting the NVRAM won’t hurt the machine, so give it a try.

1. Close all background apps.

2. Shut down MacBook.

3. Turn on Macbook.

4. Press and hold the Command, Option, P, and R keys together after the startup sound.

5. Let Mac boot up.

Use the computer for a few minutes, then try closing the lid to find the results. Your Apple computer should put the machine into sleep mode and fix the problem.

The Third-Party App

Uninstall or stop the third-party app from tweaking the power settings. We don’t know which app you have installed from the store or third-party source in the system. There are many programs out there that override the macOS functions. Stop the app from overriding the sleep mode function when the lid is closed.

Remove Wireless Devices and External Monitor

Content producers connect an external monitor to the MacBook and edit the videos or produce music. The macOS software treats the external monitor separately and has dedicated settings to manage the monitor. We recommend the readers remove the wireless devices and external monitors for the time being.

Update or Downgrade macOS

Newer macOS editions have bugs and glitches. Sit tight for the developers to release an update to address the issue. Although, I recommend the readers to downgrade the operating system and enjoy the stability of new features.

You can switch to the latest macOS edition after a couple of months. Apple in-house developers have addressed most of the problems reported by beta testers and users.

Bottom Line

Reach Apple if MacBook is not turning off when the lid is closed. Find the nearest Apple service center and ask them to inspect the MacBook hinge. We suspect hardware failure since you have applied the suggested solutions above. Let us know what happened with your MacBook and provide details for the community.