Why does slow wave activity (SWA) increase after extended wakefulness? it is due to neuronal “fatigue” or increased neuronal synchrony? We forced neurons in the mouse cortex to fire at high levels for 6 h in 2 different conditions: during active wake with exploration and during sleep, using local optogenetic stimulation. We find that neurons need more time OFF only after sustained firing in wake, suggesting that fatigue due to sustained firing alone is unlikely to account for the increase in SWA that follows sleep deprivation.