The screensaver are no longer working on the multi monitor setup after the macOS 13.3 update. External display and second monitors didn’t have the best of days right since the twelfth iteration of the OS. And unfortunately, most of these issues did get carried forward to Ventura as well. Adding more to the misery, we are now witnessing the addition of new bugs on top of the existing ones.
Screensaver not working on Multi Monitor after macOS 13.3
With the roll-out of the macOS 13.3, numerous users have voiced their concern that the screensaver are no longer working along the expected lines on the multi monitor. According to them, if they have a dual monitor setup and when the screensaver starts, then the content of the main screen will show on the second screen and the content of the second screen will be missing altogether.
This issue could be reproduced across numerous third-party screensavers and a few built-in ones as well [such as the “Message” screensaver]. What is even more concerning to note is the fact that the bug was first reported when the update was in the beta stage, but unfortunately, it wasn’t addressed, and as a result of which, we have to deal with it in the stable stage as well.
To reproduce this bug, you just need to go to System Settings > Screensaver > select Message and hit Preview. The expected behavior [in a bug-free environment] should be that the screen saver should run on both monitors. But the actual buggy behavior is that the screensaver is only running on the second monitor.
As far as the official stance on this matter is concerned, the developers are aware of this issue, but they haven’t given out any ETA for the rollout of a fix. As and when that happens, we will update this guide accordingly. In the meantime, you could share in your valuable opinions about this discussion in the comments section below.
Lanny
Still an issue as of Ventura 13.4. Disappointing.
Matthias
Before 13.3.1 the screen saver would work on both screens, but after some time the Macbook screen would go blank with a message “No images to display”, whilst the external monitor continued to shuffle my images.
Since 13.3.1 the Macbook screen is simply black.
The Screen Saver settings dialog is also more or less broken. After a few clicks the dialog becomes almost unresponsive. One needs to close and reopen the Settings dialog.
I managed to untick the ‘Shuffle slide order’ option and now it seems to be working again.
Maybe it is this option that is broken?
Luis
This sucks… I’m having the same issue what is going on….
Ian Kay
Same problem 0n MacBook Pro 2019, 13.3.1, saver on its screen but black monitor. Needs fixing asap, please.
Tima
Apple we are all waiting this amazing screensaver for good working !
Nigel
I have an Intel-based iMac 3.6 GHz 10-Core Intel Core i9 with an Apple Cinema Display as extended monitor. Since the Ventura 13.3.1 (a) update, whichever monitor is the Main monitor shows a black screen when screensaver is running. The Extended monitor works as before.
Antoine
13.3.1 (a) (22E772610a) update didn’t fix it 🙁
This seems like an easy bug to fix !
ryan
Same here. Annoying. Thanks for posting.
Mark
I did the 13.3.1 upgrade last night, same thing happened 2nd monitor showed “no photos found” message while photos display on the other. 2 apple monitors on a mac studio.
It reminded me of an earlier issue where the clock display was either the cause or fix. This time it seems that if you enable clock display the screen saver works again on both of the dual monitors.
An additional note, I run from a folder of photos since using a Photos album oddly shows the original, not edited version of, picture.
Chris
still an issue as of Ventura 13.3.1
Mary
Disappointed about the screen saver not working on dual monitors after the latest upgrade.
dave
I have the exact same problem with my dual monitor setup on OSX 13.3.1. I have control of only one monitor which does respond to the screen saver. The other monitor just goes black and stays that way. Pretty frustrating. I would think at this point there would be a fix in place.
Dario
Seeing the same thing on my M1 Mac mini with 2 LG monitors. Screensaver is ok on monitor 2 but monitor 1 is trying to fetch photos although it is set to the same screensaver as 2.