Screensaver Lockout MacBook Air (M1)

I just purchased my Mac in 2020 as well. M1 MacBook Pro. I totally disabled my screen saver to attempt to fix the problem, but when it occurs the only way I can get out of the "frozen screen saver" is if I close the clam shell and then reopen it. Hopefully a fix is implemented soon. Very annoying.

I haven't had the screen saver issue yet but I have the issue of not being able to wake the screen up after sleep. Closing the lid and reopening fixes this problem as well, I think the screen saver issue, and the external displays not waking are all related to the same bug, lets hope 11.2 fixes all of these.

I can confirm that this was the advice provided to me by Apple support and I am yet to see a recurrence of the issue. Note that I always use the quick switch option in the menu bar to change users. Needless to say, until such time that an actual fix is released we will not be enabling a screensaver!

Something like dis happened to me before, BUT on macOS Catalina when I would rest my finger on the Touch ID sensor at the same frame it went into screen saver and it was STUCK there, but when I did Command + Control + Q, It actually sent me to the lock screen as normal, but when I put my password in, it sent me back into the screensaver and It was STILL STUCK there, I had to reopen the computer to get it to start actually working again!

dis is an Intel i3 MacBook Air 2020 it overheats and is overall not as efficient as the M1 MacBook Pro

I got it from delivery

I might have a temporary fix, until a proper solution comes out:

Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and check “Require password 5 seconds after sleep or screen saver begins”.

This should allow you to login again when the bug happens, without the need to close the lid or restart the Mac

Yeah, I have this issue as well of late with my 13" MBP M1.

It started 2 days ago, I've owned this laptop for about a month without this issue.

Right now, only doing a switch user and logging back in helps me. It's frustrating because I can't pinpoint why this happened. No steps to retrace new software/apps or any other changes.

There was another suggestion that may work for you.

You can set a delay period (or may have a default of 5 seconds) from when the screensaver comes on until you are required to enter your password to unlock.

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.

This thread started back in November and today is 14 January. We can put a man on the moon but Apple can't fix a screensaver related issue in two months. Not to mention running a 2nd display extended. Impressive

One workaround I've figured on a MacBook (not sure if this would work on a Mini as well) is to press and hold the power button when the screensaver starts, this will bring up the login screen - if you click 'cancel' (while holding the power button, you have to use two hands and do it quick) it will disable the screensaver without having to close the lid or restart.

That’s not a fix. It’s a workaround to get it going again, but that doesn’t prevent it from happening again. Also, your “solution” doesn’t always work, and has never worked for me. I have to press the Touch ID button and login again.

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.

IDK, But it did this to me on dis intel Mac Book Air 2020 on Mac OS Catalina. Arrrrrgh! Da screensaver actually started after just one minute of being inactive (Where I actually want it to start,) and I used Touch ID at da same frame it started, and it got STUCK!!! Da lock screen actually works just by doing "Command + Control + Q," but unlocking it didn't fix it! I actually have to re-open da computer, and it was back to normal. Speaking of which, I think da lock out was fixed in Big Sur 11.0.1

Just here to say I have this same issue and getting ready to return my MB 2020 m1 8core cpu if its not fixed soon. I just got this $1200 computer to have this issues is bad and needs to be addressed quick.

So it took me while to confirm but I can say this now with confidence that the screen lock screensaver only appears when you are logged into two or more users at the same time. Since I started logging out of the unused user account this problem hasn’t happened yet.

Hope this helps !