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.
15 Inch MacbookPro 2018, OS: 12.0.1
Same for me.
Me too. Updated our Mac desktop to Monterey and photos screensaver not working. I thought about taking Monterey off and reinstalling Big Sur, but that’s quite a process and I don’t want to go through it. Hoping Apple will issue a fix very soon!!!
Thanks for the feedback Dennyce. Yes, macOS 12.1 should be released before the Winter Holidays!
I have the newest model too and did the monterey update and now my picture screen saver is black also, I am so upset with this update!
Thanks for the feedback. Should be fixed soon.
Same here. MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)
Same
Same. No screensaver on Mac Airbook.
My beautiful Screen Saver is Black. Please fix!
Same :(
Screen saver not working on macOS Monterey !
My screen is also black – please fix soonest Apple
Since update to Monterey my screensaver with treasured photos will not work.Hope there is a fix soon.
I have the same problem; running Mac OS 12.0.1 on a Retina 5K, 27″; 3.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 with 16 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
SAME. Retina 5k, 27″, 1017
Same issue on Macbook Air 13″Early 2015 … strangely enough with same folder and same pictures, it DOES work on an M1 iMac 24″ …
That’s strange indeed!
My screensave no longer works and turns off. It’s on my Mac Monterey 12.0.1.
Thanks for the feedback. A fix should be issued soon.
screen is black
27″ iMac 2017
Apple used to be so beautifully simple ..
Indeed. The more features, the more bugs.
MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015) – not even the beautiful underwater Monterey screen saver works…
On my iMac 2021 there is no issue with any screen saver. Weird stuff.
That’s weird indeed. Especially with the new Monterey screensaver not working. Let’s hope that macOS 12.1 will fix all this.
same thing is happening to me
Same Problem, no photos displayed since upgrade. using Mac Pro 2013
Thanks for sharing.
Same. Mac from late 2015 was working fine up until the update. I can not load photos screensaver.
Thanks for commenting.
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015) black screen after update when trying to use photos. It sorta sux that Apple continues to put out updates that create new issues and they still haven’t fix some of the old issues.
Yes, your opinion makes sense Walter. They have to turn this up a notch. It feels that pandemics and all the ‘work from home’, has affected their quality standards.
Same
Mac Book Pro running Montery
Here too ~ 2020 27″ iMac
Not working for me either, MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)
Mac OS 12.0.1
with 4 GB since the update has black screen saver and won’t let me use my previous file. It’s a MacBook air– don’t know what you mean by reporting model number–11 inch early 2015
Thanks for the feedback.
Same. iMac 27in 2015
same, MacBook pro plus asus.
Same – 27″ Mac – Monterey – No Screen Saver
M1 Mac Mini, 12.0.1, was trying out album artworks. It was working fine but the screen turned black when I tried to quit the screen saver.
Thanks for the feedback Chris.
Nada – Mac mini (2018)
Computer: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
MacOS 12.0.1 (21A559)
iPhoto “Favorites” screensaver shows dark screen – the images are vaguely visible in a darkened room.
Thanks for confirming this.
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
Same problem here
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
but screensaver works fine on my MacBook Pro 2021
Black screen when computer goes to my screen saver. Just updated today…big mistake! iMac
Thanks for the feedback. Still waiting for a fix.
I’m having the same issue here on my MacBook Air.
Appreciate the feedback.
iMac Pro 2017
3GHz 10-Core Intel Xeon W
64GB 2666MHz DDR4
Radeon Pro Vega 64 16GB
photo screen saver won’t work, black screen… This sucks! Apple needs to fix this.
They’re surly aware of it. It should be addressed in macOS 12.1.
Same for me.
iMac Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019
3 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i5
16 GB 2667 MHz DDR4
Thanks for confirming.
Yes I have the same screensaver problem. Mac mini 2018.
Thanks for letting us know.
Sure wish they would get around to fixing this!
We’re all waiting for it!
Ditto. Thanks for confirming the issue.
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
12.0.1 (21A559)
Very irritating. Photos on imac a major reason we have the imac
Thanks for reporting. We know that this is frustrating indeed.
hello – yup been trying to fix this to no avail – what a waste of time. I have the desktop image refreshing every minute but it’s not the same – roll on ‘the fix’
iMac (Retina 5K 27-inch, 2017. 3.4 GHz Quad Core Intel Core i5)
regards
Rich UK
Thanks for the feedback Richard.
SAME– 2017 iMAC just upgrade OS to 12.0.1 from 10.14.8 (I think) Now screensaver using photos from either a folder I created or from “Photos” smart album is black on screen. However, screen saver does work with MacBook Pro Late 13 model running Big Sur 11.6
Thanks for the feedback Pete. Yes, this bug is macOS Monterey related. Doesn’t occur in Bug Sur.
The same issue, the screen saver, won’t play with pictures from a folder, just a black screen. I didn’t have this problem before updating to Monterey. I have an iMac Retina 5K, 27-in Late 2015.
Thanks for confirming Melissa.
Late 2015 model and doing the same thing. Except I notice after recovery the screensaver is there just very very very dark, you almost can’t see it.
Thanks for the feedback Shari. Yes, others have reported the same too.
Yes, same story with my macbook pro 2015
Thanks for confirming.
Same thing happened to me!! Please fix Apple!!
Same here. Just started today update to 12.0. iMac 27 3ghz corei5 8 GB ram Radeon. No photos will display in the SS.
Thanks for sharing.
Yep same issue
Same here
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
Same here
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)