Turn Wake for network access on or off on your Mac

Why it happens

A sleeping Mac normally drops off your network, so shared folders, Screen Sharing and other devices can't reach it. Wake for network access lets it wake briefly when something on the network asks for it. It uses a little power each time, which is why you can limit it on a MacBook.

How to fix it

1. Click the Apple menu and choose System Settings.

2. On a MacBook, click Battery in the sidebar, then click Options… near the bottom. Choose Always, Only on Power Adapter or Never in the Wake for network access menu, then click Done. Only on Power Adapter is a good middle ground.

   Battery›Options…

3. On an iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio or Mac Pro, click Energy in the sidebar and turn on Wake for network access.

   Energy›Wake for network access

4. Put the Mac to sleep, then try reaching it from another device on the same network, for example by opening one of its shared folders. It should wake and answer within a few seconds.

Still not fixed?

1. The Mac has to be sharing something for other devices to find it. Check that File Sharing, Screen Sharing or whatever you need is turned on in General > Sharing.

   General›Sharing

2. Waking over the network works best when the Mac and the other device are on the same home network. A wired Ethernet connection is the most reliable.

3. If your MacBook's battery drains overnight because it keeps waking, set Wake for network access to Only on Power Adapter or Never.

4. If you need a desktop Mac reachable all the time, turn on Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off in Energy settings, so it stays awake with the screen off.

   Energy›Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off

5. If the Mac never wakes for the network even with the setting on, sharing turned on and a wired connection, restart your router and install the latest macOS update. Then contact Apple Support.