Monterey Screensaver Bug Upon Exit

Question

Level 1

4 points

Monterey Screensaver Bug Upon Exit

I'm hoping that I really just don't know the proper terminology, because I can't find anything even similar to my problem. To Start with...

When I'm using a program and the windows are the active windows (responding to mouse & keyboard triggers), I often get up from my desk to either listen to or watch what I'm working on while I pace around. Naturally, after the set time, the screen saver kicks in. This is working just fine.
Upon exit from the screensaver, the program that I was using (the active window/program?) is no longer responding to keyboard commands... Specifically, here's what's happening.

The window top bar, upon exit from the screensaver is dimmed or greyed out, as though that window is not "in focus." The menu bar still displays the software name and it's menus, but NO windows are in focus.
keyboard commands associated with the program no longer work after exit from the screensaver. Instead they trigger the "something went wrong" noise from the computer.

Now, all of the ways to swap programs into "focus" still work. I can click on the window with the mouse, and I can Command+Tab to a software, including the one that should be active, and things resume. However, I am otherwise annoyed that exiting a screen saver is now a 2 step process. It's been like this since I bought the Mac almost a month ago.

I can't upgrade to Ventura because not all of the software we use is compatible, yet, but I should be safe to upgrade from 12.4 to 12.6... I wanted some advice, first.

Specs:

Mac Studio M1 Max (about a month old)

OS 12.4 Lots of peripherals.

Any ideas?

Mac Studio

Posted on Nov 18, 2022 4:27 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

tze019 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 21, 2022 10:04 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Hi Luis,

I disabled the password so it is no longer required to exit screensaver and the issue seems to have resolved itself. All forms of exiting the screensaver seem to work without issue. Random keyboard keys, mouse clicks, etc...

I have run EtreCheck, with password disabled, and will post below. I have not yet upgraded the OS.

A couple notes, incase it matters.

I'm aware of the unsigned app. I trust the developer, but don't understand the technology to this level.
I'm aware of the x86 apps. Again, I trust the developers and cognizant of their upgrades.

Not sure how any of this matters, but I wanted to note incase it's relevant.

I also ran EtreCheck with the password on screensaver enabled... but I didn't notice anything significantly different. I can also upload that if you'd like.

Thanks again, any bit of help/advice is much appreciated.

EtreCheck No Password

Reply

Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

103,189 points

Nov 19, 2022 2:12 AM in response to tze019

Running Monterey May 16, 2022 Monterey, macOS 12.4 ( 21F79 ) is somewhat out dated and one may start by updating to the Current version 12.6.1

Keep your Mac up to date

Read about the 12.6.1 Security Updates

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 19, 2022 3:50 AM in response to tze019

I cannot reproduce this.

Try updating to 12.6.1 as P. Phillips suggested.

If the issue persists: Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. Use the "additional text" button and paste the report into the text box.

Also: how do you wake your mac from sleep - I am asking in case that could make a difference. Some people click, or press a key; I tend to just press the Shift key because it guarantees that no text is accidentally input, and the mouse cursor also is not affected. I wonder if the wake method could have an impact on your problem.

Reply

Answer 4

tze019 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 19, 2022 8:59 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks Luis. I didn't expect this to be reproducible. I also don't allow my Mac Studio or the old Mac Pros to sleep. They rarely sits idle for long. However, to prompt the password to exit the screensaver, I've used as many different methods including just moving the mouse, clicking the mouse, and several different keys (including the shift key). Being that I then need to input the password and hit enter, I will try bypassing the password to see if this is the issue. I hadn't considered this before. :)

Will reply again with further updates after I've tried your suggestions. Thanks so much.

Reply

Answer 5

Nov 21, 2022 11:54 AM in response to tze019

I don't see anything in the report that might explain it.

FWIW, it is to be expected that the report should be identical, regardless of turning the password on or off.

Reply

Monterey Screensaver Bug Upon Exit

Similar questions