Screensaver tuns on while using MacBook

From what I've seen, this is a problem with multi-user systems where multiple people are logged into the machine at the same time, and the fast user switching feature has been used.

You can either work around it by only ever having one logged in user at a time, or follow the instructions in the third paragraph:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252083925?answerId=254205721022#254205721022

It worked for me.

PvdHeuvel wrote:

I am going to try a other screensaver to see if that is the problem

That's a good idea. Alsolog into another vanilla admin user account, Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac,  and see if the problem persists. (This tells us if the problem is limited to your user account or is system wide).

If it doesn't log back into your account and then boot into Safe Mode by booting with the Shift key held down and check there to see if the problem persists.  Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

Report back with the results.

This happened to me as well with my M1 Mac Mini. I even disabled screensavers and it still happened, and it is close to impossible to get out of the screensaver. The only thing that worked for me is to lock your screen (using a hotkey on keyboard), switch user, and then come back.

I've experienced this issue too. Here's the work-around I found: I have two accounts on the MB Pro M1, so I turned off fast user switching. Apple Menu > System Preferences > Dock & Menu Bar > Fast User Switching (scroll down to see 'other modules' on the left) > uncheck both options.

Same stuff overhere. M1 turns screensaver in the middle of typing.

I can only get rid of it by going to all-users-account-screen (go to other account), select my own account and type in password

It doesn't work with touch-id because you can get into account but with screensaver still running...

I have the same issue from day one and it is extremely annoying. I was hoping with the latest update it would be fixed, but it still happens. Out of no where, the screen saver takes full control, and nothing can stop it. At first i was really struggling to take back control, but now i found a trick that works all the time even though it is ridiculous.

Completely close the lid, then lift it back up. This should get you going again until then next surprise attack by the screen saver.

I really hope Apple fixes this, for some reason it seems far away from their radar!

I have the same issue with my M1 based MacBook Air. Closing / reopening is the only way I've been able to turn the screen saver off. I'm going to setup hot corners with "Disable Screen Saver" and "Put Display to Sleep" in hopes that one of those two will work.

Thanks @RealMonter

We do have multiple users on the system, however all other accounts are logged out. I am still running into the problem. I tried disabling the screen saver on the login window, hopefully that will do the trick.

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.screensaver loginWindowIdleTime 0​

I did go into each profile and set screensaver 'start' to 'never'. Seems to have stopped the issue!

I have the same problem, but there is a faster way to exit the screensaver. I've been able to close the lid, then reopen it. For me, it instantly fixes the problem.

I'm also experiencing infrequently experiencing the issue on my M1 based Air. I have no screen saver enabled, and hot corners are turned off.

When in this state the screen saver continues to run, the mouse pointer moves ontop of it. Only way to dismiss the screen saver is to close and open the lid, it's immediately responsive.

theSufiany wrote:

I really hope Apple fixes this, for some reason it seems far away from their radar!

Have you told Apple directly about this issue via Feedback - macOS - Apple?

Agree this is very annoying... I have set screen savers to Never in both accounts but it persists . State of the art processor in my new Mac Air M1 is fantastic, but To have to Hack the screen saver by opening and closed the lid is so PC... not happy about this