Description
A My Cloud device does not enter sleep or standby mode due to constant disk or network activity.
My Cloud products are designed to index, catalog and serve content continuously. When content is added to the device, the data is scanned, indexed and thumbnails created as part of the My Cloud experience.
There are many reasons a My Cloud will not enter sleep or standby mode.
- DLNA Media Server
- My Cloud Service
- iTunes Server
- My Cloud device process logging
- Firmware Auto Update
- macOS Power Nap queries (default = enabled)
- AFP (Apple File System) queries by Time Machine Backup
- SMB (Samba) queries by PC or other networking equipment
- Network, Router, ISP queries
- WD Software (Smartware, Backup, Drive Utilities, Quick View, Sync, Access, Acronis True Image)
- 3rd party My Cloud Apps
- 3rd party Network, Anti Virus, Malware or End Point protection software
- 3rd party backup software
- OS Backup utility (Windows Backup or Time Machine)
- Analytics log
- My Cloud or other networking type mobile app
- My Cloud mobile app auto-backup process
- Smart TV network queiry app
- Hard Drive with bad sectors or file system issues such as dirty inodes,etc...
Resolution
IMPORTANT:
- The instructions below are designed to assist in troubleshooting the causes of My Cloud device not sleeping or going into standby mode.
- Please try one solution at a time and test for resolution before continuing with the next item.
- Ensure that your My Cloud device's firmware has been updated to the latest release.
- Features and options will vary per My Cloud device and Operating System. IE: OS 3 vs OS 5
- To reset your device in lieu of the steps below, please Refer to Answer ID 10432 How to reset a My Cloud device
My Cloud Features and Services
Turn Off the following My Cloud Services to assist in troubleshooting.
Cloud / Remote Access
- Turn OFF Cloud / Remote Access and reboot the My Cloud.
My Cloud 3rd Party Apps
Turn off any and all 3rd party apps that have been installed. For more information, please reference Answer ID 13852 After installing a 3rd party App, a My Cloud device no longer goes to sleep and Answer ID 13848 My Cloud no longer goes to sleep after installing Plex app.
External USB Connected Devices
- Safe Eject and physically remove any and all external USB devices attached to the My Cloud USB Ports.
Product Improvement Program (PIP)
Turn OFF Product Improvement Program
- Click the circled question mark located on the right hand side of the dashboard task bar next to the Alerts and Logout buttons.
- Click Support
- Scroll down and Turn OFF Product Improvement Participation
Backups and Safepoints
- Disable all My Cloud backup jobs and Safepoints
General Settings
Turn OFF the following services
Settings -> General
- NTP Service
- Remote / Cloud Access
- USB Content Availability
- Dashboard Cloud Access
- Power Schedule
- Time Machine Backup
- Analytics opt-in (Do not share)
Networking
Turn OFF the following services
Settings -> Network
- SSH
- FTP
- AFP Service
- NFS Service
- WebDav Service
- SNMP
- Dynamic DNS
- Network UPS
- All Windows Services
- Remote Services
- Network UPS
Media
Turn OFF the following services
Settings -> Media
- DLNA Media Server
- iTunes Server
Utilities
Turn OFF the following services
Settings -> Utilities
- Extended Logging
- Flash System LED
Notifications
Turn OFF the following services
Settings -> Notifications
- Alert Emails
- SMS
Firmware Update
Turn OFF the following services
Settings -> Firmware Update
- Enable Auto Update
WD Software and Applications
Stop any and all WD Software and Applications.
- WD Smartware
- WD QuickView
- WD Access
- WD Sync
- WD Acronis True Image
- My Cloud Desktop App
- My Cloud Mobile App
PC, Mac and 3rd Party Software and Utilities
Stop or Disable any Windows, MacOS and 3rd party networking or file monitoring software or utilities.
- Windows Backup
- macOS Time Machine
- macOS Power Nap
- Network and File scanning software
- Anti Virus, Malware and End Point Protection software
- Any other software capable of accessing network shares
macOS AFP and Power Nap
The Power Nap feature is enabled by default and will query the My Cloud device once an hour when the macOS computer is in a low power state and Time Machine Backups are enabled regardless of the backup target.
For more information and how to disable Power Nap on macOS, please refer to Apple Article HT 204032 How Power Nap works on your Mac
Router and Network Connection
- Disconnect the network cable from the My Cloud device.
My Cloud Reset and Restore
If the issue is still not resolved, the My Cloud NAS processes may be running and preventing the device from going into sleep or standby mode.
- Please reference Answer ID 10432 How to Reset a My Cloud device to set some services back to their factory defaults.
- Please reference Answer ID 10433 How to restore a My Cloud device to restore the unit to full factory default. A full factory restore is data disctructive, please ensure to save, copy, backup or move data from the My Cloud to a secondary location.
