Log in screen and wallpaper moving doesn't work anymore

I have the same doubt, it only works when I activate Lock Screen (ctrl + cmmd + Q), but when I turn on the Mac from zero or when I log out from my user the wallpaper doesn't move.

I think that is the issue that mcbuffy is referring to

mcbuffy wrote:

Hello,

The Sonoma slow-motion screen saver worked immediately after installation, but now the wallpaper no longer moves on the login screen. Tried with Sonoma and others.

?

What happens if you use Control Command Q and compare your results...

make some changes

>System Settings>Wallpaper

ref: Customize the wallpaper on your Mac

Mine sometimes moves at the Login screen and sometimes doesn't

So many compromises we do just for the sake of the loyalty and love for Apple (sigh)

I use MacOS for its finesse to care of every minute details. Things like these keep OCD People like me awake at night, searching for the solution.

Recently bought new machine to use Sonoma in its full glory and stuck here.

It will work on the login screen sometimes, once you wake your Mac, after it went into screensaver mode, if you use it for its intended purpose as a Screensaver. It’s not a wallpaper.

You can Change Lock Screen settings on Mac- choose how long after inactivity the screensaver starts, then also choose “Turn Display off on battery (and/or power adapter) when inactive”- This last setting will determine how long it runs (moves) for. “On battery” means you’re not plugged in charging so keep in mind that too long will drain the battery. This is a video playing on a loop.

Use a screen saver on your Mac - Apple Support

Manually locking the screen (Lock Screen) cancels it going into screensaver mode and is intended to turn off the Mac - hence it shuts off after a few seconds.

I do have a hot corner set up to activate screensaver, and it did work until now, but to my surprise, now the hot corner makes everything on the desktop disappear (as if screen saver is starting) and yet the pretty Sonoma wallpaper does NOT move (which is NOT what a screensaver is supposed to do). It stopped working, which is annoying. I guess rebooting may fix it, but that's even more annoying.

So, I did not reboot but went to settings and switched back to my old screen saver (thousands of tennis photos) and it worked. Then switched back to the Sonoma screen saver, and it's now working. It was just stuck. Easy fix.

I know it might seem like since you just updated this shouldn't really be needed but because safe boot clears out system caches among other diagnostics, it might be worth doing that then reboot and log in your default account and test to see if its working properly.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

I’m not sure they’re supposed to be moving in the login screen. That was likely a Demo. They’re “screensavers” designed to run after being inactive for whatever time you set (in settings. - Lock Screen) 

You can set one to be a screensaver and when you return to your Mac to wake it, the matching (still) wallpaper you’ve also chosen will transition to that and your desktop opens to this matching wallpaper. This is what is meant by “When you log in, they seamlessly become your desktop wallpaper”. It transitions again once the screensaver starts.

macOS Sonoma - Apple

I could be wrong though. 

Actually I've seen it work at login the very first time after I've upgraded to Sonoma, but never after that (it will now only work with Ctrl-Command-Q in my case)

Re: "I have the same doubt, it only works when I activate Lock Screen (ctrl + cmmd + Q)"

You might find it more convenient to set a hot corner to activate screensaver, Lock Screen, etc with your mouse.

Settings/Desktop & Dock/Hot Conrners

Do you have FileVault enabled? Because then it doesn't work on the login screen because your drive is still encrypted before you log in. MacOS boots in a special recovery mode where you can enter your password if FileVault is enabled. You might also see that other configurations such as Night Shift will be activated only after you are logged into your account.

Edit: Nevermind, also doesn't seem to work with FileVault disabled.

This might help. I disabled the HiddenMe app. it's an app that hides my desktop folders and files on my screen. it was interfering with the live wallpaper. if you just recently installed an app, that's probably the reason why you're also having an issue

I think that’s what he means too but I’m not sure the login screen is supposed to move.