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.
Same … iMac 5K 27 inch late 2015
Thanks for the feedback. Do check the Monterey canyon screen saver, until the photo ones get fixed: https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-use-the-new-macos-monterey-screensaver/
Same here, just updated OS yesterday.
Thanks for confirming.
I have to New Max Pro Desktop with XDR large display. I ran the newest update yesterday and today my screen goes black and will not access my photo files as a screen saver.
Please help me to fix the problem,
Michael Dane
Timothy Ermi
Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately, there is nothing that you can do to fix this. It’s a macOS Monterey 12.0.1 bug that has to be fixed via a software update. We couldn’t find any workaround until now.
I can recommend you to check out the new macOS Monterey screen saver, that displays an animation of a trip to the underwater canyon of Monterey Bay!
Yep! Having the same problem! iMac 27 here
Appreciate the comment.
What I really miss are the planets screen-saver, the universe showing Saturn, galaxies, etc. They were dauntingly beautiful and now they’ll never come back.
But….i have a beautiful stupid black screen in it’s place.
Thanks a. bunch
Apple.
Thanks for the feedback Susan. Yes the planets were so relaxing for me too.
iMac Pro here. Interestingly, my photos seem to be appearing on the black screen, but very faintly. Turned up screen brightness to Max and saw a faint ghost of the photos. Minor inconvenience. Otherwise everything appears to be running smoothly.
Thanks for the feedback Brian. Glad that everything else is OK.
me too, just updated to Monterey 12.0.1 yesterday, now my screen saver is black when I choose my photos
Thanks for confirming. Stay tuned. We will update this article as soon as a fix becomes available.
Same here, just updated OS
Thanks for confirming.
Mine got it too just updated yesterday no screensaver except ones already there. Pictures vanished in downloads too, still have them but can’t see what they are.
Thanks for reporting Ken. You mean that photos from the Downloads folder have also disappeared after the Monterey update?
Screensaver black on my Mac. I’d like to use my photos like I did previously. Very disappointing.
I have the same problem… Have to use the ones already preloaded
I just upgraded to new OS and can’t get my photos displayed on screensaver. My granddaughters love to see picture of their family and themselves on screensaver. Please fix
I have a 2017 iMac
Thanks for the feedback Jeff. Stay tuned. We’ll let you know as soon as this gets fixed!
I have the same problem–I’m unable to access the “favorites” folder from iphotos and instead have a black screen. Pretty clumsy for Apple! I have a 2017 iMac that’s been upgraded.
Thanks for reporting. Yeah, it’s quite a significant slip.
Same issue here … iMac 5K 27 inch late 2015
Appreciate the comment.
Same happened here as soon as I did the Monterey update. I spent over an hour on the phone with apple support yesterday trying to fix this. Didn’t work. I have a Mac that isn’t even a year old. I love having all of my photos scroll through on my computer, no need for a digital frame. I hope they get this fixed soon!
Thanks for confirming. Was the Apple support aware of the issue?
I got a new iMac last week and have the same problem as the others: No screensaver works which need access to an external folder…
Also there seems to be an bgu showing the clock in the upper right edge of the screen!
If I make some changes to show the clkock in different modes (etc. with seconds or not) the clock does not change. It shos every time also the seconds…..
A nother bug I found is some text isn´t shown correctly in some windows on the screen. The text is overlapped with other text so you cannot read the text.
I assume that Apple doesn´t tested the new OS (Monterey) long enough to found and eliminate the bugs…..
Thanks for the detailed feedback Martin. Yes, it’s surprising how many bugs have been left unfiltered after the summer beta testing stage.
Same Issue Here
MacBook Pro (15-Ince, 2016)
iMac retina 4k 2-17
Not able to access my images as a screen saver
Appreciate the comment.
iMac (Retina 5K, 27 Zoll, Ende 2015)
Ditto here. Mac Mini 2018. I use an album from my Photos library as my screensaver.
Thanks for the feedback.
iMac Desktop. I use photos from my Photo library.
Thanks for the info.
I have spent multi hours trying to fix the photo issue and glad to see I am not crazy hope to see I fix soon I faintly seen my photos behind a black screen. This drives me crazy. I hope a fix is coming soon. I probably spent 20 hours trying to fix.
Wow, how come didn’t you google for it faster?
Same problem, see photos in settings but as soon as screen saver kicks in just a black screen.
Thanks for the feedback.
Yup, on both my laptop and my iMac it just goes to a blackish screen.
iMac Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019
3.6GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9
Radeon Pro Vega 48 8 GB
MacBook Pro 15-inch, 2016
2.9 GHz Quad Core Intel i7
Thanks for informing. Wasn’t aware that so many users are fans of the photos screensavers!
same problem
i.Mac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
Same problem
15inch 2017 MBP
Same Problem: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
Same here. 2019 iMac, running Monteray.
Thanks for the confirmation.
Same here Mac Pro running Monterey 12.0.1; 3 x Apple Thunderbolt displays.
Thanks for reporting. Every Mac seems to be affected.
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), my screensaver does not work when trying to show my photos, works fine for the generic screensavers.
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017) same issue as the others here – blank screen when trying to display photos
Thanks for the comment.
Black screen using my own photos. iMac 5K Retina 27in 2019 in MacOS 12.0.1
We appreciate the comment.
Screensaver, Black Screen using Photos, 27 inch iMac 2019
Thanks for the info.
I just upgraded my 2020 Retina IMac to Monterey, only to discover that for screensaver and desktop, my own pictures don’t seem to be supported. I only get a black screen despite multiple attempts.
Yes, it’s a widespread bug affecting all Macs. It’s been reported to Apple and we’re waiting for a fix in an upcoming software update.
Same. Brand new 16 inch MacBook Pro with the Intel chip – black screen with no pics
Thanks for confirming.
Me Toooo!
iMac Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019: same problem with disfunction af screen saver with my photos.
And: slide show in program Photos doesn’t work either!
Thanks for confirming Carla. Yes slideshows are broken too as mentioned here: https://www.iphonetricks.org/photos-slideshow-not-working-on-mac-fix/
Apple has to fix them in an upcoming software update. Stay tuned.
Same here. Updated to Monterey yesterday & black screen. iMac late 2019
Appreciate the comment.
iMac (2017) updated to Monterey.
Screen saver won’t play – black screen and Mac crashes when I go into Desktop & Screen Saver in System Preferences. Any ideas why this is.
Thanks for the feedback. That’s a new one. Haven’t seen crashing reports for this. When you mean that your Mac crashes, you meen that it reboots, or just the System Preferences quit unexpectedly?
Having the same problem hurry up and fix it!
Having the same problem, Apple! Get on it, folks! I have a iMac, late 2015 model.
It’s taking them a while, indeed.
Same here. OS 12.0.1 on a 2015 IMac 21″.
Same here: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
Same here- Imac 20 inch
Yup.. same here.. very annoying (iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019))
I am also getting a black screen when I am trying to use my own photos as a screen saver.
Mac Os Monterey
iMac Retina 5K
27 inch 2017
Thanks for reporting.
Same here tried everything
iMac(Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
Appreciate the info.
Same here. Very frustrating.
I am on a Macbook Pro 2015
Same Same. Mac Mini with the hybrid drive.
Appreciate the comment.
Same problem with iMac 2015 version
Same here… MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)