Does Mac Still Download When In Sleep Mode

OK - let’s work on our definitions. Sleep means sleep. Apple has a feature called “Power Nap” which briefly wakes the unit up to check email and other things, 1 but those things do not include downloading, which would require continual use of th. In sleep mode the computer tries to cut the energy from all computer's components like hard disks, display and others, and only keeps the power to the RAM, as there is where the current settings are stored. In this mode the wake up time is really short (just a pair of seconds) but the power is still draining as RAM is working. The computer must be turned on or be in sleep mode to record a TV program. The computer does not automatically go into sleep mode if Windows Media Center is open. Make sure you turn off the monitor and turn down or mute the volume if you have a scheduled a recording in the middle of the night and do not want to be disturbed.

Many of us don’t have the time to sit at their laptop all day whilst you download new files, programs and updates. So, it makes sense that when you do have large downloads that you’d do this whilst you’re going about the rest of your day, leaving your laptop to deal with things.

But if you’re looking to download something on your laptop, will this download continue whilst your laptop is in sleep mode? Or do you need to change the settings of your laptop so it never enters sleep mode in order for you to download something successfully? Well, that’s what we’re going to take a look at now.

Will a download continue in sleep mode?

The fact of the matter is that no, a download will not continue whilst your laptop is in sleep mode. This is because whilst it’s in sleep mode, your laptop is trying to conserve energy, so it won’t continue with any active downloads. However, you can stop your laptop from going into sleep mode, which will in turn ensure that it carries on downloading.

How to stop your laptop from entering into sleep mode will depend on which operating system you’re using. So, let’s have a look how you stop your laptop entering into sleep mode for both Windows and Mac.

How to stop your laptop entering sleep mode – Windows

If you’re using a Windows laptop, then it’s pretty straight forward how to stop your laptop going into sleep mode. This is important, especially if you’re a student with a ton of work to download (check here for the best affordable student laptops).

All you need to do is go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > System Settings, and from there you’ll be able to access the settings. The third option down should read When I close the lid, giving you the option to either have your laptop sleep, hibernate, shut down or do nothing when you close it.

Of course, out of these you’re going to want to select do nothing. This will ensure that when you close the lid of your laptop, it won’t enter into sleep mode, and it will then continue to download instead.

How to stop your laptop entering sleep mode – Mac

On a Macbook, things are pretty similar, but you also have another option too.

In a Mac, you just need to go to System Preferences > Energy Saver, and this will bring you to the menu you need to be on. Here, you’ll be able to select the time that you want your laptop to stay on without it going into sleep mode. If you slide this along to Never, then this will prevent your laptop from entering into sleep mode and you’ll continue your download.

However with a Mac, this isn’t your only option for this, especially if you don’t want to leave your laptop lid open. If you don’t want to change the settings of your Macbook on the whole time, then you can install an app like Insomnia X. This will make sure that when you do close the lid of your laptop, that your downloads continue as they were.

What about on my computer?

If you’re using a computer, then it’s going to enter into sleep mode if you stop using it for a period of time. You can stop this with the settings above. All you need to do with a computer is turn the monitor off and let it keep downloading, which should be all you need to do to get your programs downloaded properly.

Conclusion

Does mac still download when in sleep mode come out

There’s nothing more annoying than having something big to download, forgetting about it and coming back to your laptop with no progress made. But there are things you can do to ensure that the download continues even when you’re not using the device. This way, you’ll be able to download large files without having to be on your laptop at the same time.

If your Mac goes to sleep unexpectedly

Make sure that Energy Saver is set up the way you want: choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Energy Saver. Adjust one or more of the following settings to affect when your Mac goes to sleep. Some of these settings might not be available on your Mac.

  • Display sleep
  • Computer sleep.
  • Turn display off after

Make sure that you aren't putting your Mac to sleep accidentally:

  • Pressing the power button can put your Mac to sleep.
  • Moving your mouse pointer to a hot corner can put your Mac to sleep, depending on your Mission Control settings. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Mission Control. Click the Hot Corners button, then see if any of the corners are set to ”Put Display to Sleep.”
  • Using magnets near your Mac notebook can put your Mac to sleep.

If your Mac doesn't go to sleep when you expect

Check your Energy Saver settings as described above, and be aware that your Mac won't automatically go to sleep unless it's inactive:

Does Mac Still Download When In Sleep Mode Windows 10

  • The same network activities that can wake your Mac can also keep your Mac from sleeping.
  • Any app or other process that's running on your Mac could also be keeping your Mac awake. Check the Energy Saver pane of Activity Monitor to identify apps that need your Mac to be awake. If ”Yes” appears in the Preventing Sleep column for an app, your Mac won't automatically sleep while the app is running. Other apps prevent sleep only when doing certain things, such playing music or video, printing, or downloading files.
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If you started from macOS Recovery on a Mac notebook, automatic sleep is disabled as long as the Mac is using AC power.

If your Mac wakes unexpectedly

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Your Mac might wake for these activities:

  • Certain network activities such as those related to music sharing, photo sharing, printer sharing, or file sharing.
  • Enhanced notifications from FaceTime, Messages, and other apps and services.
  • Activity from Bluetooth devices that are connected to your Mac. To prevent Bluetooth devices from waking your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth. Click the Advanced Button, then deselect ”Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer.”

Some Mac notebook computers are designed to start up when you open their lids or connect them to power.

If your Mac doesn't wake when you expect

Your Mac might pause a few seconds before it wakes up. If it doesn't seem to wake at all, check for these possibilities:

  • Your screen brightness might be turned down.
  • If you're using an external display, your display might be turned off.
  • Your Mac might be in safe sleep. To wake from safe sleep, press the power button.
  • Check for a sleep indicator light, if applicable, and make sure that your Mac isn't turned off.
Mode

If the previous steps don't work

Does Mac Still Download While Sleep Mode

These additional steps may help identify or resolve the issue:

  • Reset the SMC.
  • Reset NVRAM.
  • Disconnect external devices other than your Apple keyboard, mouse, and display. If that resolves the issue, gradually reconnect your devices, testing each time, until you find the device that is interfering with sleep. Then check the documentation that came with the device, or contact the device manufacturer.
  • Start up in safe mode to see if the issue is related to non-Apple startup items, login items, or kernel extensions.

If you still see the issue, contact Apple Support.

Does Mac Still Download When In Sleep Mode Come Out

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