The objective of the study was to determine the effects of sleep or lying deprivation on the behavior and productivity of dairy cows. Data were collected from 8 multi- and 4 primi-parous cows (DIM = 199 ± 44 (mean ± SD); days pregnant = 77 ± 30). Each cow experienced: 1) 24 h sleep deprivation from noise or physical contact and 2) 24 h lying deprivation imposed by a wooden grid placed on pen floor that prevented a recumbent position. An 11-d collection period (from 2 d before the first treatment (trt) to 8 d after trt) was followed by 12-d washout periods. Study days were organized from 2100 to 2059. During habituation (d −2 and −1 before trt), baseline (d 0), and trt (d 1), housing was individual stalls (mattress with no bedding). After trt, cows returned to sand-bedded freestalls for a 7-d recovery period (d 2 to 8). Lying behaviors were recorded by accelerometers attached to the hind leg. Milk yield was recorded 2 × daily. NEFA and glucose concentrations were evaluated from serum sampled at 0300, 0900, 1500, and 2100 on d 1 and 2. Data were analyzed using a mixed model in SAS including fixed effects of trt, day, and their interaction with significant main effects separated using a PDIFF statement (P ≤ 0.05). Interactions between trt and day were evident for lying time and bouts (P < 0.001). Lying time decreased during trt and increased on the first day of recovery for lying deprivation compared with sleep (d 1: 1.9 vs. 8.4 ± 0.7 h/d (mean ± pooled SE); P < 0.001; d 2: 16.8 vs. 13.6 ± 0.7 h/d; P = 0.002). Lying bouts were greater during sleep deprivation (d 1; 7.6 vs. 4.1 ± 0.8 n/d; P = 0.01). Milk yield decreased during lying deprivation compared with sleep on d 2 (31.8 ± vs. 35.3 ± 2.4 kg/d; P = 0.002). NEFA and glucose were not affected by trt (P ≥ 0.70), but did vary by time (P ≤ 0.03). The combination of sustained energy balance, behavioral changes, and decreased productivity suggest cows shifted resources toward increased maintenance during periods of deprivation. Collectively, this suggests lack of access to resting resources rather than the relative comfort of that resource once accessed may have greater long-term effects on the welfare of dairy cows.