Screensaver comes on randomly and prevents use in Big Sur and M1

FWIW, I just installed Big Sur 11.1 for the 2020 MBA M1. Fingers crossed it includes a fix.

Has it fixed even with the Mac up to date with the latest version of Big Sur?

system pref -> users & groups -> login options -> Show fast user switching menu

Perhaps you may try this one:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/macmini.html

You should be able to set the screensaver start time in the usual way with system preferences.

I think you should be able to set SS time as you normally do from system preferences.

I have this problem as well. Happens on both admin accounts after a couple min or less of inactivity. Disabled screensaver, no hot corners or anything active. Still have not found a fix. Using a MacBook Air with M1 Big Sur 11.0.1

Having this issue frequently. Twice it was while replying to a message in mail, which then becomes marked "read" without a draft saved... Therefore I am never going to figure out who I was replying to and the message is one. My only fix is a hard reset.

Thanks, tried and seemed to work for a while, then randomly started again. Frustrating.

Has anyone noticed that when you initially go to the screensavers tab, it has to “build” first before you can see the screen savers?

Forgot to mention in last post, but I noticed this happening twice, once on the first MBA (since retuned after support determined some hardware issue) and now with the replacement. It only happens once, the the tab is active consistently after that. Wonder if I never clicked on the tab in the first place, the screensaver issue would not have started?

Thanks for this tip. I've just applied it - will see how it goes.

I've also had the same issue, ended up with reinstalling OS and ultimately making MBA 2020 M1 unbootable, as I hit the other known issue as described here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252137328 Ended up recovering it from second Mac - this is really dissapointing that system reinstallation requires second Mac with quite modern spec to begin with (supporting Apple Configurator 2).

Therefore I'm after full system recovery now and Screensaver started again despite the fact being set "Start after: Never".

What has changed though I was able to go back to the system without the need of putting it to Sleep (which was the case before reinstall).

Either way, I've scheduled a call with support and also will try to report it as a bug, as this surely shouldn't be the case.

it didn't take too long... Issue reoccurred again despite the battery and power adapter settings turn display off after set to Never in addition to Screensaver set to Never.

One more question - I'm wondering if setting multiple users on Mac can be contributor to this one, i.e. lack of action on other account can kick off screensaver on the account that is being used for some reason.

Can you confirm you are and have been encountering this issue with single or multiple users configured on MacOS?

I have the same issue, it's just ridiculous the screensaver enables itself while being disabled in mac os, and on top of that cannot be interrupted. I called the apple support, they don't know about the issue, so they shipped a new mac!

just lol

FWIW, that's very different than my experience.

I spent over an hour yesterday on the phone and was quickly escalated to a senior support specialist who uploaded a ton of diagnostic information from my Air to send to engineering. They are supposed to call me back on Friday.

I have the exact issue still trying to figure out what's going on, have everything disabled would be nice if a dev replied, but when finding a solution will post again. If any one finds out please share.