OS X version 10.9 ScreenSaver Fails to Activate

I hate to say this but the ScreenSaver problem has not been corrected with OS X Mavericks. I have been having this problem ever since I installed OS X version 10.8.2.

OS 10.8.5 appeared to have fixed the problem and the screensaver for 10.9 seemed to be working fine ever since I intalled it on Oct. 22.

But, today the problem has returned.

Now I have to use a HotCorner to activate it. It refuses to activate automatically.

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 26, 2013 2:46 PM

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13 replies

Oct 26, 2013 3:08 PM in response to corvairkid

**Be sure to read everything first and ask any questions if you don't understand any of the steps.


Since it was happening before sure sounds like a plist issue. We try to to move the plists that control screen saver settings / logout / that way when you log back in the system will re-create the files. In any event this is fully reversable by moving the plist files back to the folder preferences folder...


Here is how you can do this:


-->Lets create a folder on the desktop and call it screensaver plists (this will be used to backup the currect preferences files)

-->Open finder

-->On the menu bar click on Go

-->hold the option key and you should see "Library" come up click on it-

--> now you should be inside the user library folder aka ~/Library

-->Open Preferences and locate the com.apple.screensaver plists... Take a look at the screenshot so you can see what the files should look like the only one that is identical is com.apple.screensaver.plist the other ones may not look exactly alike but still have the word screensaver...

-->Don't delete these files simply drag/drop into the folder you created on the desktop earlier

-->Now go ahead and logout > Apple on the top left > Logout...

-->Log back in and see if you screen saver comes on automatically now.


User uploaded file

Oct 26, 2013 7:11 PM in response to Miska_FL

I do have 2 questions before I proceed.

I see 4 files in the Preferences folder related to "com.apple.screensaver".


1. com.apple.screensaver.mobilemegallery.plist

2. com.apple.screensaver.mobilemegallery.plist.lockfile

3. com.apple.screensaver.plist

4. com.apple.screensaver.plist.lockfile


Should I drag/drop all 4 of these files into the folder I created?

Should I restart the computer after this or is logging out and back in sufficient?


Thanks for your help.

Oct 30, 2013 12:14 AM in response to corvairkid

Hello corvairkid.

Yes the problem has followed me to 10.9 also. I am thoroughly used to it now and am used to always using hot corners every time I leave the mac.

We tried all the preference files and many other fixes way back in the early days of 10.8.2.

I wouldn't go back with operating systems though, I just live with it.

I also can't be bothered to send what would probably be about my 10th feedback to Apple, having never had a reply or any fix previously.

Oct 30, 2013 1:59 PM in response to Len Gold

Hello Len,

I certainly appreciate how you feel. We've been trying to get a fix on this for a long time.

If my only problem with Mavericks was the screensaver issue, I probably would not have gone back to 10.8.5.

However, my iMac and my MacBookPro were both having problems with Safari freezing up. Never had that happen before.

Since I went back to 10.8.5, no Safari freezing problems and screensavers are activating... I do realize that the screensavers may kick the bucket at any time, but so far so good.

Ah, the good old days before 10.8.2!!

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OS X version 10.9 ScreenSaver Fails to Activate

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