For some reason when my screensaver starts, so does Safari.
I quit Safari completely, wait for the screensaver to start and there's Safari again. Annoying.
I've already disabled all extensions in Safari but to no avail. Change to a different screensaver also does not change this behaviour. Anybody know what causes this and how I can prevent it?
Thanks!
Mac mini, macOS 26.1
Hi markfromroermond,
I had the exact same problem and was one the verge of reinstalling macOS when I found the cause, so I hope this information helps you.
I have the Google Gemini app installed as a web app (Safari web app) and it was causing it. I don't know how or why. I went into settings for the web app and disabled the only extension active which was 1Password, then I quit the app fully (not just close) and the problem hasn't returned since.
I re-enabled the extension just to see what happens and the issue didn't come back, so I'm still stumped to the root cause.
Anway TL;DR look at any web apps you've installed and start disabling extensions within / quit / remove them if not needed.
Good luck
Hi markfromroermond,
I had the exact same problem and was one the verge of reinstalling macOS when I found the cause, so I hope this information helps you.
I have the Google Gemini app installed as a web app (Safari web app) and it was causing it. I don't know how or why. I went into settings for the web app and disabled the only extension active which was 1Password, then I quit the app fully (not just close) and the problem hasn't returned since.
I re-enabled the extension just to see what happens and the issue didn't come back, so I'm still stumped to the root cause.
Anway TL;DR look at any web apps you've installed and start disabling extensions within / quit / remove them if not needed.
Good luck
Part 1 of 3
Restart the computer in Safe Mode
Do the issues persist ?
Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.
If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.
If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.
Part 2 of 3
To Drill Down further and to avoid a session of Q&A, Q&A and Q&A
Download the Application Etrecheck ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.
The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet " and is only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer
This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer Hardware / Software used on this computer
The application is free or paid from added features.
The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information.
Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<
Part 3 of 3
There are 4 Categories of Third Party Software / Services that are not needed
Get rid of them via the Developers Instruction
In no special order
1 - Third Party 2 Way Firewalls
2 - Commercial VPNs
3 - Third Party Security Software
4 - Third Party Disk Cleaners / Optimizer
I didn't have Gemini installed but that did give an idea. Removed ChatGPT Atlas that had recently been added and the problem's gone! Thanks for pushing me in the right direction :)
Awesome, I'm glad I was able to help
Safari starts as soon as the screensaver activates. Every single time.
