How to Keep Your Mac Screen from Turning Off

Have you ever been frustrated when you were in the middle of something important on your Mac, and the screen suddenly turned off? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s common for the Mac screen to turn off automatically after a certain period of inactivity to save power. However, this can become an annoyance when you’re working on something that requires a continuous display. Luckily, there are a few ways to make your Mac screen stay on and prevent it from turning off.

In this article, we’ll show you some simple and easy methods that you can use to keep your Mac screen from turning off. We’ll also explain why your Mac screen may be turning off in the first place and guide you through the steps you need to take to prevent this. So, get ready to say goodbye to those sudden screen turn-offs and keep your work uninterrupted.

10 Ways to Make Your Mac Screen Stay On

If you’re tired of your Mac screen constantly going to sleep and prefer that it stays on, there are a few things you can do to fix this issue. In this article, we’ll explore 10 methods to make your Mac screen stay on for as long as you need it to.

1. Adjust Your Mac’s Energy Saver Settings

The first step you should take is to adjust your Mac’s energy saver settings. This is where you can set preferences for when the screen turns off, and when the computer enters sleep mode. To access these settings, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Apple menu, located in the top left corner of your screen.
2. Select “System Preferences.”
3. Click on “Energy Saver.”
4. Adjust the settings according to your preference.

2. Use a Third-Party App

If you’re not satisfied with the energy saver settings on your Mac, using a third-party app might be the way to go. Some popular apps to help keep your screen awake include Amphetamine, Caffeine, and KeepingYouAwake.

3. Use Keyboard Shortcuts

You can also use keyboard shortcuts to keep your Mac screen from turning off. Pressing the “Shift,” “Control,” and “Power” buttons simultaneously will prevent the screen from going to sleep.

4. Use Terminal Commands

Using Terminal commands is another way to keep your Mac screen from sleeping. The command “caffeinate” prevents your Mac from going to sleep, while the “pmset” command allows you to customize your power settings.

5. Watch Videos or Play Music

If you’re watching a video or listening to music, your Mac screen won’t go to sleep on its own. This is because the Mac recognizes that you’re still using it.

6. Connect an External Display

Connecting an external display to your Mac can also keep the screen from turning off. Your Mac will recognize that you’re using an external display and won’t go to sleep.

7. Use Presentation Mode

If you’re giving a presentation or showing a slideshow, turning on Presentation Mode will keep your Mac screen on. To enable Presentation Mode, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Apple menu.
2. Select “System Preferences.”
3. Click on “Displays.”
4. Click on the “Arrangement” tab.
5. Check the box next to “Mirror Displays.”
6. Click on “Options.”
7. Check the box next to “Use as a Separate Display.”

8. Enable Hot Corners

Enabling Hot Corners allows you to quickly activate a specific action by moving your mouse cursor to a corner of your screen. For example, setting a hot corner to “Disable Screen Saver” will prevent your Mac screen from going to sleep.

9. Use Mouse Jiggler

Mouse Jiggler is a small app that keeps your Mac screen awake by simulating mouse movement. You can download this app for free and set it to run in the background.

10. Disable Security Settings

Some security settings on your Mac, such as a password-protected screen saver, can cause the screen to turn off. Disabling these settings can keep your screen from sleeping.

In conclusion, there are several ways to keep your Mac screen on for as long as you need it to. Whether it’s adjusting your energy saver settings, using a third-party app, or enabling hot corners, we hope this article has provided you with some helpful tips.

10 Ways to Keep Your Mac Screen From Going to Sleep

As a Mac user, you may have experienced the frustration of your screen going to sleep several times. This can be a serious problem, especially if you’re working on something that requires constant attention. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep your Mac screen from going to sleep. In this section, we’ll discuss ten effective methods that you can use to prevent your Mac screen from sleeping.

1. Change Power Settings

The first and most obvious method to change your Mac screen from going into sleep mode is to change the power settings. To do this, go to System Preferences > Energy Saver and select “Never” under the “Turn display off after” option. Click “OK,” and your Mac screen should stay on indefinitely. However, make sure you change it back to your desired settings after your work is done to conserve energy.

2. Use a Third-party Application

There are several third-party applications that you can use to prevent your Mac screen from going into sleep mode. Applications such as Caffeine, Amphetamine, and NoSleep are great options that allow you to keep your Mac screen on even if you’re away. They are also convenient as they can be activated with a click of a button.

3. Adjust Energy Saver Settings for Specific Apps

Sometimes, you don’t want your Mac to go into sleep mode when you’re using specific apps. Fortunately, you can adjust energy saver settings for specified apps. To do this, go to System Preferences > Energy Saver and click on the “Schedule” button. From here, you can set a schedule and choose which apps you want to keep your Mac screen from going to sleep.

4. Use Terminal Command

Using Terminal Command is another method to keep your Mac screen on. To do this, open up the Terminal application and enter the command “caffeinate” and then hit “Enter.” This command will keep your Mac awake for as long as the Terminal window remains open.

5. Use a Keyboard Shortcut

Most Mac keyboards have a function key that looks like a sun icon or a light bulb. You can use this key to prevent your Mac screen from going to sleep mode. Pressing the function key and the “F15” key simultaneously will turn on the screensaver and keep your Mac screen on.

6. Disable Screensaver

The screensaver is another setting that may cause your Mac screen to sleep. You can disable the screensaver by going to System Preferences > Desktop & Screensaver, and then select “Start After” and set it to “never.”

7. Adjust the Mouse Sensitivity and Scroll Speed

Believe it or not, the sensitivity of your mouse and the scroll speed may be the reason your Mac screen goes to sleep mode. To solve this issue, go to System Preferences > Mouse and adjust the tracking speed, double-click speed, and the scroll speed.

8. Keep Your Battery Charged

If you are using a MacBook, keeping your battery charged can also prevent your Mac screen from going to sleep mode. A low battery can cause your Mac to perform unexpected operations, including turning itself off.

9. Reboot Your Mac

If your Mac screen goes to sleep mode unexpectedly, rebooting your Mac can correct the problem. Rebooting may also help fix other issues that may cause your Mac screen to sleep wrongly.

10. Reset SMC and PRAM

If none of the above solutions work, resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) and PRAM (Parameter RAM) can help fix the problem. The SMC is responsible for controlling low-level functions, such as battery management and thermal management, while the PRAM is responsible for storing system settings. Both of these are sensitive and can cause issues with your Mac screen if there are problems.

Conclusion

Keeping your Mac screen from going into sleep mode is essential for maximizing productivity. The ten methods discussed in this article are effective ways to keep your Mac screen on indefinitely. However, some of these methods may not be suitable for all situations. Therefore, try them out to find which one works well for you.

Using Terminal to Create a Caffeine-Like Effect

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution that does not require installing any third-party software, using Terminal on your Mac is the way to go. Terminal is a powerful tool that allows you to execute commands that control the behavior of your operating system. Follow the steps below to keep your screen from turning off indefinitely:

Using the caffeinate command is the equivalent of creating a virtual coffee cup that keeps your computer energized and prevents it from going to sleep or turning off the display. Just like coffee, the effects are temporary and will only last as long as the command is running.

Alternatively, you can use the same command and specify a time limit. For example, if you want your computer to stay awake for three hours, you can type caffeinate -t 10800, where 10800 represents the number of seconds in three hours. The command will execute for the specified time and then stop automatically.

Another useful option is to prevent the computer from sleeping only when a specific application is running. You can do this by running the command caffeinate -i followed by the name of the application. If you want to keep your screen from turning off while watching a movie, for instance, you can use caffeinate -i "VLC".

In conclusion, using Terminal is a simple yet powerful solution to keep your Mac screen from turning off. Whether you want a temporary or permanent fix, the caffeinate command can help you achieve your goal without having to rely on third-party apps. Just remember to stop the command when you don’t need it anymore to save battery life and avoid overheating.

Sweet Dreams, Mac!

Well, there you have it — three easy methods to prevent your Mac screen from going to sleep. We hope this article has been helpful in keeping your Mac awake for as long as you need it. Thank you for reading and we hope to see you again for our next tech tip. Until then, stay awake and keep on computing!