If your screensavers aren’t working after installing macOS Monterey, rest assured, you’re not the only person experiencing this problem. When selecting the Photos library or a folder of photos, the OS fails to render the images. If you select any other screensaver, they work. It’s just with Photos that the feature doesn’t work. The screensaver simply goes black.
Try changing the source folder. Check if you notice any improvements. Maybe the screensaver functionality is having trouble accessing the path where the Photos folder is saved. Additionally, disable Dark Mode and check the results.
Use Another Screensaver Folder
If the issue persists, select a screensaver folder that doesn’t require access to a photo album. For example, you can use Monterey, Message, Word of the Day, or Arabesque. Many users confirmed the screensaver bug doesn’t affect these folders. Navigate to System Preferences, go to Desktop & Screen Saver, and select the screensaver folder you want to use.
Check for Updates
The screensaver problem is clearly caused by a software bug. Wait until Apple releases a hotfix and upgrade your system to the latest version as soon as possible. Go to System Preferences, click on Software Update, and hit the Update Now button.
Not being able to set your photos as screensavers on macOS Monterey is not such a big deal. This bug doesn’t break any major OS features. As a workaround, you can select a screensaver folder that doesn’t require access to your photo albums while waiting for Apple to push a hotfix.
Have you experienced any screensaver issues after upgrading to Monterey? If you found other ways to solve this problem, feel free to share your ideas in the comments below.
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies — AI and DNA computing in particular.
I have just updated to Monterey 12.6. Unfortunately My iMac still does not go to sleep and nor does the screen saver work at all!
The screen saver came on briefly during the update (!) but has now stopped functioning AGAIN!
This is so annoying! I am very disappointed with the new update, as I had hoped it would bring back the Screen saver and the automatic sleep function. And especially now when preserving energy is of the essence!
It’s a bug. Apple Tech Support’s suggestion was to do a clean reinstall of Monterey OS, which wasn’t an acceptable answer. Submit your bug report at https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos.html
Now having to sign in again every 30 minutes on y iMac after installing Monterey. Menu ‘stuck’ at 30 minutes in Desktop an screensaver page in system preferences.
I can’t get any screensaver photos working in macOS Monterey. There are not even any default screensaver images to choose from.
Interestingly this MacBook is brand new Macbook Air M1, which I took in use without bringing any backup or data import from my old MacBooks to get it free of any old trash in my older MacBooks. So it’s clean, but does not work.
Big Sur was already had a screen saver problem. You couldn’t run a photo screen saver in Classic format without the screen clock. I upgraded to Monterey assuming thata they would have taken care of that issue (which got pretty noticeable comment on the web).
Nice work, folks. Who are the clowns writing these systems?
This never happened with Windows!
The main reason we have a desktop Mac is to enjoy our family and travel photos on the screensaver. Otherwise we might just as well have iPads. After updating to Monterey I can choose a folder of photos for the screensaver and see the source and the names/thumbnails of the photos but when the screensaver starts it’s just a black screen or a very dark layer over the photos. I have tried photo folders in Pictures, Photos and a folder on the desktop but no luck. I should have left Monterey until they got the bugs fixed. 🙁
I have just updated to Monterey 12.6. Unfortunately My iMac still does not go to sleep and nor does the screen saver work at all!
The screen saver came on briefly during the update (!) but has now stopped functioning AGAIN!
This is so annoying! I am very disappointed with the new update, as I had hoped it would bring back the Screen saver and the automatic sleep function. And especially now when preserving energy is of the essence!
It’s a bug. Apple Tech Support’s suggestion was to do a clean reinstall of Monterey OS, which wasn’t an acceptable answer. Submit your bug report at https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos.html
Now having to sign in again every 30 minutes on y iMac after installing Monterey. Menu ‘stuck’ at 30 minutes in Desktop an screensaver page in system preferences.
I can’t get any screensaver photos working in macOS Monterey. There are not even any default screensaver images to choose from.
Interestingly this MacBook is brand new Macbook Air M1, which I took in use without bringing any backup or data import from my old MacBooks to get it free of any old trash in my older MacBooks. So it’s clean, but does not work.
I keep thinking after every update that this problem will be fixed but it persists. Is anyone working on it?
It is VERY disappointing not to be able to view photos, of my selection, throughout the day.
this is taking along time to fix – NOT satisfactory.
It’s fixed! macOS 12.1 update is out today.
Just downloaded Monterey to my 2017 iMac today, and the desktop/screensaver doesn’t work at all.
I have nothing but the new pink screen. Ugh!
Oddly enough it works if you use the DESKTOP wallpaper – set to change every x seconds. Just choose the required folder there.
Big Sur was already had a screen saver problem. You couldn’t run a photo screen saver in Classic format without the screen clock. I upgraded to Monterey assuming thata they would have taken care of that issue (which got pretty noticeable comment on the web).
Nice work, folks. Who are the clowns writing these systems?
This never happened with Windows!
The main reason we have a desktop Mac is to enjoy our family and travel photos on the screensaver. Otherwise we might just as well have iPads. After updating to Monterey I can choose a folder of photos for the screensaver and see the source and the names/thumbnails of the photos but when the screensaver starts it’s just a black screen or a very dark layer over the photos. I have tried photo folders in Pictures, Photos and a folder on the desktop but no luck. I should have left Monterey until they got the bugs fixed. 🙁
It is amazing and disappointing how long it is taking Apple to fix this!! It really IS important to do many people.
I thought I was doing something wrong. This is upsetting
Hooray. I updated and it works