How to Change Power Settings on MacOS

Overview

Purpose and Use-Case

This article may help address what may appear to be a disconnection issue while on a long running session of presentation software, such as Zoom.  While in an active Zoom session, for example, a Mac's power and/or battery settings may detect that the computer has been inactive and will shut down.  Adjusting these settings can help prevent this potential issue.  

Version

These instructions were demonstrated on a macOS version 10.15.7 (Catalina) notebook.  Instructions and screen shots may slightly differ than what is depicted here based on your version or if using a desktop versus a laptop.  

Please see references below on Apple's site where you can select instructions for your specific macOS version.

Instructions

  1. Click on the "Apple" icon in the top left hand corner.
  2. Select "System Preferences."
  3. On the System Preferences screen, click on the "Energy Saver" icon (it looks like a compact fluorescent light bulb).
  4. We recommend using at least 1 hour settings to avoid having your computer go to sleep while actively in a presentation such as Zoom.
  5. The image below the "Power Adapter" setting and is only when the computer is plugged into a power charger. Power adapter setting for Energy Saver showing  turn off display after 1 hour
  6. You can select "Battery" to configure the power options for when the computer utilizes battery power. Battery setting of the Energy Saver showing turn display off after 1 hour

Reference

On Apple's site:

 

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Details

Article ID: 137155
Created
Tue 12/7/21 2:16 PM
Modified
Tue 12/7/21 4:51 PM