Resolving Sleep-Wake Issues on Mac Mini 6,1 Running macOS Ventura with OpenCore

Guide Step by Step:

1. Identifying the Issue:

   • Your Mac Mini is experiencing issues waking from sleep, resulting in having to force restart and encountering a kernel panic (the Mac equivalent of BSOD).

2. Check Energy Saver Settings:

   • Go to System Preferences > Energy Saver.
   • Adjust settings such as "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" and "Wake for network access." Sometimes these settings can interfere with proper sleep-wake functionality.

3. Update OpenCore and Kexts:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest version of OpenCore (1.30 as you mentioned) and all your kexts are up to date.
   • Outdated kexts or OpenCore versions can cause compatibility issues with newer macOS versions like Ventura.

4. Reset NVRAM and SMC:

   • Reset NVRAM: Turn off your Mac Mini, then turn it on and immediately press and hold Option, Command, P, and R for about 20 seconds.
   • Reset SMC: Shut down your Mac Mini, unplug the power cord, wait 15 seconds, plug the power cord back in, wait 5 seconds, and then turn on your Mac Mini.

5. Check Console for Logs:

   • After a forced restart, check the Console app for any logs related to the sleep-wake failure. This can provide clues as to what might be causing the issue.

6. Review OpenCore Configuration:

   • Revisit your OpenCore configuration. Ensure that your ACPI patches and settings are correctly configured for your Mac Mini model.
   • Pay special attention to any patches related to power management.

7. Disable Hibernation Mode:

   • macOS sometimes has issues with hibernation on certain hardware. Disable hibernation by opening Terminal and typing: sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 0 and sudo rm /var/vm/sleepimage.

8. Hardware Check:

   • Inspect your Mac Mini for any hardware issues that might affect sleep-wake functionality, such as faulty RAM or issues with the power supply.

9. Alternative Solutions:

   • As a temporary workaround, you can set your Mac Mini to not go to sleep automatically. However, this is not a permanent solution.

10. Seek Community Help:

    • If the problem persists, consider posting in Mac forums or OpenCore communities with your specific issue, hardware details, and what you’ve tried so far.

11. Professional Diagnostic:

    • If you are unable to resolve the issue and it persists, it might be worthwhile to have a professional diagnose the problem, especially if it’s hardware-related.

12. Backup Important Data:

    • Regularly back up important data to avoid loss in case of unexpected system behaviors.

Sleep-wake issues can be particularly challenging to diagnose as they can stem from a variety of software and hardware factors. A methodical approach to troubleshooting can help isolate and resolve the issue.