I just purchased the baseline M1 MacBook Air and I’m having trouble with the screensaver taking over the computer. It will come on even while using the device and then there’s no way to dismiss the screensaver. I have to switch users, log out, and/or restart the machine to get the screensaver to go away. At this point I’ve disabled the screensaver (which for me is fine) but I’m hoping there’s a fix out there somewhere.
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.0
Third paragraph of this post fixed it for me:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252083925?answerId=254205721022#254205721022
"Configure the screen saver to not be displayed on the login window, which will also prevent the screen saver from starting 20 minutes after clicking on Login Window… or Switch User. This can be done by logging in as an admin user and entering the following command into Terminal: sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.screensaver loginWindowIdleTime 0 When the Password: prompt appears, type the password of the user that is currently logged in and press Return (the password being typed at this prompt will not be displayed)."
This is the process that works on M1 MBA, every time. But you dont really have to hold the power, simply clicking it once, then ’cancel’ and then unlock your account again, and the stupid thing is gone.
Clicking the ’cancel’ at lock screen seems to be the most important step, whatever it does.
Two of us are experiencing this same issue on our respective accounts on the same computer (both users on the same M1 MacBook Air). We've found that just closing the physical computer and reopening it back up resolves it. (Although it continues to keep randomly happening.)
Have you tried adjusting your battery settings? My screen kept on locking until I adjusted the battery settings. It was set to a few minutes, I suppose by default while running on Battery. Just an Idea.
Same issue here.
Closing the lid and re-opening it will make it go away.
Waiting for software update....
Happens to my mac mini too. Pressing CTRL+CMD+Q (takes you to the login screen) and then ESC (screen goes black), seems to work for me. Extremely annoying though.
I confirm, the 11.2 fix the problem
I have also appeared to have this issue - every now and again my new MacBook Air (M1 chip) with Big Sur 11.0.1 goes to the screen saver and clicking the trackpad doesn't resolve the issue. Instead I have to press the Power/Touch ID button which takes me to the sign in screen. I then have to Switch User and then go back in and enter my Password and it then goes back to normal without the screen saver although sometimes I've had to do this multiple times in order for the screen saver to go away. Hopefully it'll be fixed in the next update but I've reported the bug to Apple.
We just got a M1 MacBook Air and I have had the same issue. However, I did find a work around to it without restarting. The work around is to press Control-Shift-Power buttons at the same time. Apparently this shortcut forces a kill command to the screensaver. Hopefully Apple will fix this very annoying issue shortly.
You actually don't need to close the lid. You can switch users (assuming you have multiple users) then click back on your logged in user and it should log you back in to the screen. Otherwise, a logout/login works.
I have the same set up, 16GB Mac Mini, all key presses and moving the (unseen) cursor towards the pre-set hot corners are ignored. Pressing the power button brings Finder back. Hope this works for others.
I have the same issue on my M1 Air. 2 account logged in. Screensaver turn on when using one of the account.
Resolution: Have to close the laptop and reopen. That seems to disable the screensaver. (Please note, i'm not restarting or re-logging in again as some users have mentioned). Hope Apple fixes this issue quickly.
I have this too. Only way I found to go back is by closing and opening the screen. Super annoying
This happens to me too. I have to press power button, login as another user, go to terminal, and kill the screesaver process.
It doesn't matter if screensaver is disabled or not.
It is so annoying!
Yes. Same issue of random screen saver/lock.
2020 Apple Macbook Air M1
macOS Big Sur 11.1
Workaround: Only way to unlock is to close the lid and reopen.
try closing and re-open the lid, this works for most
Screensaver Lockout MacBook Air (M1)
