Enter screen saver can't get out?

[aajeevlin]

I have the base Mac mini m1 here. Just had something very weird happened to me. I was just doing my normal stuff, last thing I was doing before this happened was formatting a new hard drive. All the sudden screen saver started, which was weird because while I do have my screen saver I usually put my monitor to sleep after 15 minutes of no activity so it was weird that screen saver started. Also what was worst was that I wasn't able to exit! I can hear the computer respond to my keyboard, and the screen saver's animation was going so the computer is not frozen. But I wasn't able to get out of it, there was no indication of password to be entered. I was only able to get out, by going to my hot corner, which I have it setup to lock the computer (and the log screen shows up) and I logged into my wife's account and then did a restart. I tried to go back into my account from her account but the screen saver just won't go away.

Nothing too terrible, but was just weird. Anyone?

 

[MevetS]

I have a 2018 Min and the same thing has happened to me twice in the last couple of weeks.

I had to 'quick' press the I/O button on the back of the Mini to get it to respond to mouse or keyboard input.

I had Apple Music running and it continued to play so like you the system had not frozen.

Very strange.

 

[aajeevlin]

I have a 2018 Min and the same thing has happened to me twice in the last couple of weeks.

I had to 'quick' press the I/O button on the back of the Mini to get it to respond to mouse or keyboard input.

I had Apple Music running and it continued to play so like you the system had not frozen.

Very strange.

Are you on Big Sur as well? Of all my years of using the Mac I have never had this issue.

 

[CoastalOR]

I think it might be a M1 and/or Big Sur problem. Here is a thread for a M1 MBA with the same problem:

Big Sur Is Locking Up My M1 MacBook Air

Hi friends. I've hit this issue a few times with my M1 MBA on the latest Big Sur where randomly the screensaver will turn on. Then, tapping the touch ID will just toggle between the screensaver and the login screen, but the touch ID will ever unlock the computer. Even if I type my password, it...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[MevetS]

No, I am on Catalina 10.15.7

 

[aajeevlin]

I think it might be a M1 and/or Big Sur problem. Here is a thread for a M1 MBA with the same problem:

Big Sur Is Locking Up My M1 MacBook Air

Hi friends. I've hit this issue a few times with my M1 MBA on the latest Big Sur where randomly the screensaver will turn on. Then, tapping the touch ID will just toggle between the screensaver and the login screen, but the touch ID will ever unlock the computer. Even if I type my password, it...

forums.macrumors.com

Thanks, I tired to search but nothing turned up.

Actually, I just noticed something interesting. I have not had this issue until I added an account for my wife just now. I just checked her account it has the same default 20 minutes for screen saver and it's also the same screen saver by default. I wonder if the wire is getting crossed. I have since turned off her screen saver as well as mine screen saver, let see if it's happens again.

 

[jayducharme]

I just had the same problem. I've never before had this happen on any computer. I was typing a message on my M1 mini and the screen saver suddenly kicked in with no way out. I called Apple Tech Support. They told me to do a hard reboot. I told them that didn't explain why it happened in the first place. They just said if it happens again, call back. (I'm on the latest Big Sur BTW.). So I've disabled the screen saver for now.

 

[aajeevlin]

I just had the same problem. I've never before had this happen on any computer. I was typing a message on my M1 mini and the screen saver suddenly kicked in with no way out. I called Apple Tech Support. They told me to do a hard reboot. I told them that didn't explain why it happened in the first place. They just said if it happens again, call back. (I'm on the latest Big Sur BTW.). So I've disabled the screen saver for now.

Unfortunately I don’t think it will help. I disabled my screen saver and I still got it....

 

[jayducharme]

Well that sucks....

 

[chinesechikn]

Well that sucks....

I have an M1 MBAir and have had the same issue since Ive had it.
If you close the lid and reopen the lid it fixes it. I'm assuming it is an issue that will be fixed in a Big Sur update.

 

[nduug]

Have the same situation here; also M1 MacBook Air. 2 accounts and same timer for screensaver.
Turned them both off yesterday, haven't had an issue since...

Hoping for a fix, I guess it will have to come from Apple for this one...

 

[Apple_Robert]

Have the same situation here; also M1 MacBook Air. 2 accounts and same timer for screensaver.
Turned them both off yesterday, haven't had an issue since...

Hoping for a fix, I guess it will have to come from Apple for this one...

What I have always done, is let the display turn off after x amount of time. No real need to a screen saver and you avoid problems like what the OP and many others have experienced. Same thing with sleeping your Mac. No real need to do that either. It seems many are used to that from the old days and never stopped using the feature after new tech came on the screen that didn't need to be put to sleep.

 

[MevetS]

Just an update, which will jinx me, but other than the two times it occurred that I noted above, it has not happened since.

 

[normanfox]

I have two mac mini M1 and both has this issue.

one Mac mini has screensaver popup (while I am using it) that I can't get out . the second mac Mini has black screen and I can't get out of either. the only way to get out of sleep mode is to shut down (hold down power button) and restart.

I also had a Mac mini with Intel (bought and returned a couple weeks ago) and it did not have this issue, using the same monitor and usb-display cable used for M1 setup above but not Big Sur.