ScreenSaver Not Working On Mac In macOS 12 (Black Screen!)
Last updated on December 14th, 2021 at 06:45 am
Posted in Bug Fixes by Tyrone on October 30, 2021Is the screensaver not working on Mac after the macOS Monterey update? Does the screen turn black, when the screensaver starts playing, instead of displaying photos from a folder or album that you’ve selected in System Preferences?
macOS Monterey Screensaver Bug
This issue has been reported to us by Jim B., in the comments section of our macOS 12.0.1 review page:
“I have the newest 27″ iMac that Apple offers and have a problem with the screen saver. The only ones that work are those that Apple has for you to choose. I have been using photos that I have taken as a screen saver for years, but now all I get is a black screen.”
I managed to replicate this on a MacBook Air and got the screensaver black screen problem for all options that run with photos that you can select from a folder or photo album!
How To Fix ScreenSaver Not Working in macOS Monterey
Most likely, Apple will have to issue a fix for it in an upcoming software update!
Update: The macOS Monterey screen saver bug has been fixed in the macOS 12.1 software update! Fix is confirmed in the release notes as well, as by our own tests. Can you confirm it too? Use the comments section!
We’ve just submitted feedback (ID: FB9731040) regarding this black screen saver issue and used this article for reference.
So, if you encounter the same problem please confirm it in the comments section, to see how widespread the issue is. Do mention your Mac model.
Workaround For macOS Monterey Screensaver Bug
Until a fix becomes available, you can still use screen savers in macOS 12 as long as you pick a type that doesn’t require to access photos from a folder or album.
Screensavers that currently work in macOS 12 are: Monterey, Hello Drift, Flurry, Arabesque, Shell, Message, Album Artwork and Word of the Day.
macOS Monterey screensavers affected by the black screen glitch: Floating, Flip-up, Reflections, Origami, Shifting Tiles, Sliding Panels, Photo Mobile, Holiday Mobile, Photo Wall, Vintage Prints, Ken Burns and Classic.
How To Change Screen Saver on Mac
- To update the screensaver in macOS Monterey you have to open System Preferences and click on Desktop & Screen Saver.
- Browse the Screen Saver tab and select the desired type form the left sidebar!
Tip: I recommend you to check out the new macOS Monterey screen saver that animates the underwater canyon found in Monterey Bay, California, USA.
Have you found a better solution for Screensavers not working on Mac? Use the comments section and share your feedback.
Related: Other common macOS Monterey problems are:
– USB hubs not working after macOS Monterey update.
– macOS Monterey not enough storage to install.
Really Apple??? How did this make it through Beta? Screen saver not drawing from folders?
Same problem. Really frustrating.
Same problem with screensaver not using folders.
Same.
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
Thanks for mentioning.
Same problem others are reporting. We updated to Monterey this weekend and out screen savers have not worked since. Now Waiting for a Fix … … .. … …
Thanks for letting us know. We will definetly update the page as soon as a fix becomes available.
16″ MacBook Pro OS 12.0.1 Screensaver is VERY DARK and almost impossible to tell what the picture is.
Thanks for the report Wayne. Is the screen very dark only when the screensaver is on? Or also on desktop. We’ve covered a potential MacBook Pro display backlight issue over here. Do you think that it might be related?
Fix this Apple…I need my photos back as a screensaver
We hope that they’ll address it in the first macOS Monterey software update.
Yep, same issue. MacBook Pro 16-inch, 2019
Thanks for confirming.
Doesn’t work for me either, using a iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017).
Appreciate the comment.
Yep same issue…
Got it.
I’ve a late-ish 27″ Mac with the same problem.
I know I live in New Zealand, but I’m also pretty much convinced that’s got nothing to do with the problem.
Thanks for the feedback Alan. Yes, this issue is not country or region related. Thanks for sharing.
Same problem with new iMac 27″. No pictures, just black.
Thanks for confirming.
Same problem here.
No screen saver pics after installing OS12.0.1 on my iMac Retina 4k, 21.5 inch, (2017).
We need a system update urgently.
Macbook Pro 2015. I have this problem, although oddly it worked for about a day after the update, but the pictures were slow to change.
Thanks for the feedback. That’s new. No one else reported that the screensavers worked for a short while after the update.
Same issue on my 2019 iMac. Screensaver will work for a short time and then the screen goes black. A little slow waking up after clicking mouse. I called Apple and the tech seemed to be unaware of the problem though it seems wide spread.
I’m not using photos. I’m using the screensavers Apple offers in system Preferences.
Thanks for the feedback Richard. This is new. So, in your case regular screensavers are also not working? Could this be related to the macOS Monterey memory leak issue? Do you think that your Mac might run out of memory and the screensavers aren’t able to work? Can you check the Activity Monitor for memory usage when this happens?
we have the same screen saver problem using a photos folder – does not work in monterey. how could apple have overlooked something so basic?!
Good question Glinda! One of the downsides of remote working I guess…
ugh same issue… come on Apple… where is the fix please!
Thanks for sharing. Yes, we’re all waiting for it! macOS 12.0.2 needs to be released for a fix to come fast. Else we have to wait for macOS 12.1 which is currently beta tested. That will take longer.
if this happens with Scrensavers ….what else is wrong ???
Good point….. we’ve covered some of the common problems discovered so far here:
– USB hubs not working in macOS 12.0.1.
– System has run out of application memory error!
– Emails not loading in Mail after macOS 12.0.1 update.
– Photo slideshows not playing.
I have the same screensaver problem. I was excited about the new update because I had hoped that Apple had finally brought back the transition speed selection on screensaver from Photos. Instead, it just doesn’t work at all and I use that screensaver in my office. This (and maybe transition speed without having to go into Terminal) would be really nice to have fixed quickly!
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), 2.4 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9, 32 GB 2667 MHz DDR4, AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8 GB
No screen saver, just a black screen UGH!!
Does it happen only with Photos screensaver or with all of them?
a real let down – just fix it!
MacBook Pro, 2019
Thanks for commenting.
Yup, first thing I saw after updating was my screensaver come up with no photos….
Thanks for confirming.
same problem; black screen since update to Monterey regardless of screen saver selected, Frustrating,
Theresa are you getting the black screen for any screensaver? Or just for the ones that involve photos?
Yep, same here (Mac mine + MacBook Pro)
This is so frustrating and NOT what you expect from a competent tech giant like Apple. Please fix this asap. Being able to peruse my edited images as screensavers is such a big deal for me and I suspect many others.
I never had this problem with Big Sur or any other iterations of your OSX. Very shabby imo,
Thanks for the feedback Paul. They must be looking into this as we got so many reports about it.
Very frustrating that Screensaver does not work with pictures. How could they get this one wrong? Please fix ASAP – (I thought I would have already been fixed by now, but no).
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) and 2 other Imacs in the household.
Thanks for confirming Carlos. A fix should be released soon.
same problem Mac Pro Cheese Grater
Thanks for letting us know.
Screen saver broken in Monterey
When selecting the Photos library or a folder of photos, they do not render.
Appreciate the feedback.
Same problem. Sorry y’all, but I’m glad it’s not just me
Thanks for commenting Suzie.
Same here, was shocked when I discovered it. Used my screensaver for years to show my photos (80.000+) randomly. iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017).
That’s an impressive collection Geir. Hope that you will be able to enjoy it again soon.
Mine not working after the update too.
Thanks for the info.
Same issue, 2019 21.5″ iMac, Monterey 12.0.1
Appreciate the comment.
Same.
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
Black screen for me too – on a 2019 21.5″ screen following Monterey 12.0.01 upgrade. Trying to use photo folder.
iMac user, updated to Monterey and no screen saver other than a black screen or versions I don’t want. 2017 21.5″ screen. I would like the landscapes back, please!
Thanks for the feedback.
How can something so basic get missed Apple? Please fix! We love having photos on the screensaver, it was bad enough when you turned off the left right arrows to scroll through photos that came up, but now it does not work at all!!!
Thanks for the feedback Alan.
Screensaver not working on MacBook Pro 217 and iMac 2020, once upgraded to Monterey, I loved my screensaver
Thanks for letting us know.
I have a MacBook Pro running Monterey, with 2 external displays. On mine, I get a single panel of photos that load onto one of the external displays & the laptop display. Only one of my external displays pulls a black screen, but the display stays active, as if it’s still getting a signal.
That said, the laptop display & external display that does show pictures, both dim significantly & do not cycle pictures. The pictures that come up, stay there for about 2 minutes before all 3 displays go to sleep.
My display sleep setting is set at 10 minutes.
Thanks for this detailed feedback Melvy. Let’s hope Apple will manage a fix from the first attempt.
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017) 1 TB SSD, 40 GB RAM. Immediately after loading Monterey when the screensaver came on it was very dark with vague outlines of my floating photos but no movement. I use the “Vintage Prints” setting linked to a designated photo file. I’ll try the standard Apple options to fill the gap but I hope a fix is on the way as I have invested a lot of time in creating the photo file for the screensaver.
I can’t see this not being fixed soon, because we already have so many complaints about it.
Still the same dark screen instead of photos (MacBook Pro, 16″, 2019).
Same problem.
I got the M1 MacBook Air.
Same here. MacBook Air.
I have a 27″ iMac Pro that is having the same issue. Will not play any screen saver with my photos, just a black screen
This was exactly the information I was looking for. I thought it was because my iMac is a bit older (late 2015). I was trying everything I could think of; switching from a Photos album to an actual folder, changing albums, etc. I was about to try a “COPPER” (PRAM reset).
I’m glad I found this post. Thanks all.
You’re welcome Mark. Glad we could help.
Personal photos not working with screensaver since upgrading to Monterey.
Yes, I have this problem too. None of my photos are showing on the screen saver, just a black screen :-(
I am eager to get the fix, once it is available.
Stay tuned, we will update the article when a fix becomes available.
Same here.
Can’t change my screen saver with the new download….just like many others.
Black screen. Nicely done, Apple.
Same Problem.
Mac Book Pro.
I have the same problem
Thanks for informing. I recommend you to check out the new Monterey wallpaper, until the photos ones are fixed. It’s a nice animation of the underwater canyon found in Monterey Bat: https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-use-the-new-macos-monterey-screensaver/
My screensaver in Monterey is also not working.
iMac 5K 27 inch. 2020
Thanks for confirming David. Check out the new Monterey screen saver until the photo ones are fixed: https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-use-the-new-macos-monterey-screensaver/