Fixed: Windows 10 Screensaver Not Working

Sometimes when users upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 8 or 7 they see that their screen saver isn’t responding. Although you have just downloaded the new version of Windows 10 still the screensaver isn’t working. No need to be worried about it because in this article we have some methods through which you can fix Windows 10 screensaver, not working issues.

Following are some screensaver errors that users mostly face:

  • Windows 10 screensaver won’t turn off: It is a serious error because it makes your system unusable. In case you encounter this problem just restart your system and go through this article for solutions.
  • Windows 10 screensaver unable to initiate: In case your screensaver won’t initiate just confirm that you have enabled it. If you see that the screensaver is activated, go for other methods to fix this issue.
  • Windows 10 screensaver won’t activate: This issue starts when users aren’t able to activate their screensaver.
  • Windows 10 screensaver won’t stop: Because of this error, your screensaver will start running constantly. It’s a serious issue as it makes the PC unusable.
  • Windows 10 screensaver unable to respond: This problem pops up when the screensaver won’t appear in any condition.
  • Windows 10 screensaver freezes: Windows 10 screensaver not working starts when you’re able to initiate the screensaver, but it freezes. In case your screensaver keeps freezing, you may not be able to use your system, and it is a serious issue.

Following are some methods through which users can resolve Windows screensaver, not working errors:

1. Updating Windows

Updating Windows is the first method to try in case users want to solve Windows 10 screensaver not working problem. This is the way how Microsoft solves vulnerabilities, errors, and other issues. Which can be encountered after the release of a Windows distribution. Users can go for the latest updates by opening Settings from the Start menu. Then they can open the Update & Security section, choose Windows Update from the left side menu and tap on the Check for updates button.

2. Updating Drivers

Users can find driver updates by utilizing Windows Update, but this isn’t the ultimate solution for all the hardware that is accessible and your manufacturer might utilize a custom hardware component that needs a custom driver.

You can easily find the newest hardware drivers by visiting the manufacturer’s site and going to the Download or Support section. Just write your device’s model name, and install the newest accessible driver.

Keep updating your old drivers for your PC to work without any errors. Users can also install  TweakBit’s Driver Updater Tool which is approved by Microsoft and Norton to do it via automatic processing and save from the risk of installing the incorrect driver versions.

3. Checking Screen Saver Settings

In case your screen saver isn’t responding then it might probably be because it isn’t enabled or configured in the right way. Users can also check the screen saver settings right click on the Start menu button and picking Control Panel. Now just tap on Appearance and Personalization and then on Change screen saver under Personalization.

You will see that this will open the Screen Saver Settings window. Choose which screen saver you want to utilize, customize it, and set the time before it pops up. In the end just double-check everything to make the configured process properly.

4. Disconnecting Useless Devices

Sometimes game controller devices are the reason for all the problems regarding Windows 10 screensavers not working like Razer, Logitech, Xbox, PlayStation, etc.

In case this is the cause for your screen saver not working error just disconnect everything that’s not important for your PC to work normally and check if the screen saver starts working again or not. If still it doesn’t work just connect your devices one by one and check if it works now. In case it stops responding after connecting a particular device then you have found what’s the reason behind all this mess.

5. Cleaning the Mouse Sensor and Mouse Pad

Optical mice are utilized for the sake of an optical sensor so you can have a look at the movement and direction. At times the optical sensor or lens has dust on them in this condition the mouse might give the wrong inputs and stop your screensaver from popping up.

You can easily clean it by flipping your mouse over and utilizing a paper towel or a cotton swab to clean the optical sensor gently. You can also utilize a screen cleaning method to confirm that the sensor has no spots left.

Sometimes users also think about cleaning or changing their mouse pad as these things gather dust and dirt that can easily get into the mouse’s optical sensor.

6. Resetting Power Management Option

As the screensaver is a feature that saves power and is interconnected properly to your power-saving settings. Because of that, in case your power saving settings have been altered or causing issues there’s a higher possibility that your screensaver won’t work the way it usually does.

Here we will bring your Power Management settings back to default, and we also hope that the screensaver will begin showing up again. You can do it by following the below steps:

  • As the first step go to Search, write power, and open pick power plan
  • Then you’ll see your current power plan. Just select Change plan settings next to your chosen plan
  • Here you can go to Change advanced power settings
  • After the completion of the above steps in the Advanced settings window, select Reset plan default.

You would be able to see that your settings are back to default. In case by mistake you did something that is causing the issue for the screensaver, that shouldn’t be the issue now. If the screensaver isn’t responding just move towards next methods.

7. Confirm that Screensaver is Activated

The screensaver is not enabled in Windows 10 by default. In case the screensaver is unable to show up after a few hours then there’s this possibility that it wasn’t activated in the first place.
Following are the steps through which users can resolve this error:

  • As an initial step just right-click your Desktop and go to Personalize.
  • Now go to Lock Screen > Screensaver settings.

Choose one screensaver from the dropdown list and set the time, and save the settings.

8. Running Power-Troubleshooter

In case you’re using Windows 10 Creators Update you have a new troubleshooting option that will help you while tackling many other issues relevant to the system. It is also helpful when solving the screensaver error. Users can run the Troubleshooter by following the below steps:

  • As the first step go to Settings > Update & security
  • Then go to the Troubleshooting tab
  • Now scroll down, and find Power
  • After the completion of the above steps, tap Run the troubleshooter
  • Now just wait till the procedure ends and follow the steps that appeared on the screen
  • At the end reboot your system

9. Running the SFC Scan

The System File Checker (SFC) is troubleshooting that handles many issues present in your PC. This is a very good app that can support in regard to this issue If you don’t know how to initiate the SFC scan, follow the below steps:

  • As the initial step go to Search write cmd, and open Command Prompt (Admin)
  • Now enter the following line: sfc/scannow
  • Here wait for the process to end
  • At the end reboot your PC

Remember that the SFC scan is a time-consuming process and it takes some time to end. So, wait till it is required and check for the needed alterations once the whole procedure ended.

10. Running DISM

Deployment Image & Servicing Management (DISM) is a built-in troubleshooting tool that is present in Windows 10. It’s more complex and powerful compared to the SFC scan. In case you are running the SFC scan isn’t able to solve your problem then you can try DISM to fix your error.

You can run this tool by following the below guidelines.

  • As the first step go to Search write cmd, and open Command Prompt (Admin)
  • Now write the following instructions, and then tap Enter after each instruction:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /restorehealth

  • At the end close the command prompt and reboot the system and see in case it solves your problem.

Note: Screensavers are the thing that isn’t something new and is a part of our past. In case you’re utilizing an LCD monitor, there is no need to have a screensaver. The truth is that screensavers can actually do more harm with compare to doing something good. They are supportive if you’re utilizing a CRT monitor.

So here the question is what’s the big issue with screensavers and LCD monitors? Old CRT monitors had an issue that is known as ‘burn in’. All pictures that are displayed on the screen get ‘burnt into’ the screen, in the case shown for a long time. And that’s exactly how screensavers were ‘invented’.

LCD monitors don’t have this issue with burn-ins, so there’s no real need for screensavers. Utilizing a screensaver on an LCD monitor increases the utilization of electricity and decreases the life of the battery. And because of that reason, your bills will be higher.

Windows 10 screensaver not working is an error mostly faced by Windows 10 users and can hopefully be resolved by one of the above methods.