Get your Mac screen to turn off when you're not using it

Why it happens

The screen turns off after the time set in Lock Screen settings, and Never means it stays lit. Apps can also ask your Mac to stay awake, for example a video, a call, a big download or a Terminal command called caffeinate. While one of them is running, the timer doesn't start.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings and click Lock Screen in the sidebar.

   Lock Screen

2. On a MacBook, set both Turn display off on battery when inactive and Turn display off on power adapter when inactive to a time, like 10 minutes.

   Lock Screen

3. On an iMac, Mac mini or other desktop Mac there's one menu, Turn display off when inactive. Set it to a time.

   Lock Screen

4. Leave your Mac alone for that long and check that the screen goes dark.

Still not fixed?

1. Quit anything that might be playing video or sound, including browser tabs with videos, and end any calls. Close any Terminal window running caffeinate.

2. Find the app keeping your Mac awake. Open Activity Monitor, click Energy and look at the Preventing Sleep column. Quit any app that shows Yes.

   Activity Monitor›Energy

3. A mouse on a shiny or shaky surface can keep nudging the pointer, which counts as use. Turn the mouse over or switch it off as a test.

4. Restart your Mac, then install any waiting update in General > Software Update.

   General›Software Update

5. If the screen still stays on with nothing running after a restart, contact Apple Support. They can look at what's keeping your Mac awake.