Can Cisco VPN Stay Connected When Mac Is Locked?

Published On - February 14, 2025

ivan Blogging
ncpa vpn

Have you ever been in the middle of something important, only to find that your Cisco VPN disconnected as soon as your Mac locked? It’s frustrating! But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Let’s dive into why this happens and what you can do about it.

Why Does Cisco VPN Disconnect When Mac is Locked?

By default, macOS puts network connections into a low-power state when the screen locks. This helps save battery and resources. But it also means your VPN connection may drop.

Here are some reasons why:

  • macOS puts Wi-Fi into low power mode.
  • The system might disconnect inactive network services.
  • Some VPN settings close connections when idle.
How VPNs Work

Can You Keep Cisco VPN Connected?

Yes! You can prevent Cisco VPN from disconnecting when your Mac locks by tweaking a few settings.

1. Disable Sleep Mode on Lock

The easiest way to stop disconnections is to prevent your Mac from sleeping when locked.

  1. Go to System Settings.
  2. Click Displays and select Advanced.
  3. Turn on Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter.

This will keep the network active while your screen is off.

2. Change Wi-Fi Settings

Another reason your VPN disconnects is that Wi-Fi may turn off when locked. To stop this:

  • Go to System Settings > Battery.
  • Find Power Adapter settings and select Enable network access while asleep.

This setting keeps your Wi-Fi active even when the screen locks.

3. Adjust Cisco VPN Settings

Sometimes, the VPN itself is set to disconnect during inactivity. Here’s how to check:

  1. Open the Cisco AnyConnect VPN app.
  2. Click Preferences.
  3. Look for options like disconnect when idle and turn them off.

4. Use Terminal to Keep VPN Alive

If you’re still having issues, you can force your network to stay active using a simple Terminal command:

caffeinate -i

This command prevents macOS from going into low-power mode.

Final Thoughts

VPN disconnections when locking your Mac can be annoying. But with a few tweaks, you can keep Cisco VPN running smoothly.

Try adjusting sleep settings, Wi-Fi preferences, or using caffeinate to stay connected. Give these tips a shot and enjoy uninterrupted VPN access!