How to Fix Screensaver Not Working in Windows 10

If your screensaver refuses to start in Windows 10, you’re not alone—it’s a common issue caused by power settings, group policies, or corrupted system files. This guide walks you through the most effective fixes, from checking basic settings to using the built-in troubleshooter, so you can get your screensaver running again in minutes.

What You’ll Need

• Administrator access to your Windows 10 PC
• A few minutes of time
• Optional: a USB drive if you need to create a recovery drive (only for advanced steps)

Step-by-Step

1. Verify screensaver is enabled in Settings. Press Win + I to open Settings, go to Personalization > Lock screen, and click Screen saver settings (on the right). In the dialog, select a screensaver from the drop-down, set a wait time (e.g., 5 minutes), check On resume, display logon screen if desired, and click OK. Test by waiting or using the Preview button.
2. Check power settings. Sometimes the display sleeps before the screensaver kicks in. Go to Settings > System > Power & sleep. Under Screen, set the time to sleep longer than your screensaver wait time. For example, if your screensaver is set to 5 minutes, set the screen to sleep at 10 minutes or more.
3. Run the System File Checker. Corrupted system files can break the screensaver. Right-click the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin). Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete (it may take 15–20 minutes). If it finds and fixes issues, restart your PC and test.
4. Check Group Policy (Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise). If you’re on a professional edition, a policy might disable screensavers. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization. Double-click Enable screen saver, set it to Not Configured or Enabled, and click OK. Also check Screen saver timeout and Password protect the screen saver—set them to Not Configured if they are set to Disabled.
5. Check the Registry (if Group Policy is not available). Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop. Look for a value named ScreenSaveActive. If it exists, double-click it and set the data to 1. If it doesn’t exist, right-click in the right pane, select New > String Value, name it ScreenSaveActive, and set its value to 1. Close the editor and restart.
6. Update or reinstall your display driver. Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers can prevent the screensaver from rendering. Right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU, and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. If that fails, go to your GPU manufacturer’s website, download the latest driver, and install it.
7. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter (if using a Store screensaver). Some screensavers come from the Microsoft Store. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Select Windows Store Apps and run the troubleshooter.
8. Create a new user profile. If the issue persists, your user profile may be corrupted. Create a new local administrator account: go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, click Add someone else to this PC, and follow the prompts. Log into the new account and test the screensaver.

Common Mistakes

• Setting the screen to sleep too early. If the display sleeps before the screensaver time, the screensaver never appears. Always set the sleep timer longer than the screensaver wait time.
• Forgetting to click Apply/OK. Changes in the screensaver dialog won’t take effect until you click Apply and then OK.
• Using a broken screensaver file. Some third-party screensavers (files with .scr extension) may be incompatible with Windows 10. Try switching to a built-in one (like Bubbles or Mystify) to see if that works.
• Overlooking the preview button. The Preview button tests the screensaver immediately. If it doesn’t work, you know the issue is with the screensaver itself, not the timer.

Tips

• Use the built-in screensavers first. They are most reliable. If a third-party one fails, uninstall it and try a different one.
• Set a reasonable wait time. A 1-minute wait might be too short and cause the screensaver to appear while you’re still reading. Try 5–10 minutes.
• Check your antivirus. Some security software may block screensavers from launching. Temporarily disable your antivirus (if safe) to test, then re-enable it.
• Keep Windows updated. Microsoft regularly fixes bugs. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve followed all the steps and the screensaver still doesn’t work, try these additional checks:

• Check if the screensaver is set to ‘None’ in the registry. Open Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. Look for SCRNSAVE.EXE—it should contain the full path to the screensaver file (e.g., C:\Windows\System32\Bubbles.scr). If it’s empty, set it manually.
• Run the Power troubleshooter. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters, select Power, and run it.
• Perform a clean boot. This disables third-party startup programs that might interfere. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter. On the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all. On the Startup tab, click Open Task Manager and disable all startup items. Restart and test. If it works, re-enable services one by one to find the culprit.
• Check for malware. Run a full scan with Windows Defender (or your antivirus) to rule out malicious software that might disable screensavers.
• If all else fails, use the System Restore. Go to Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore and choose a restore point before the issue started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my screensaver stop working after an update?

Windows updates can sometimes reset settings or introduce bugs. Re-enable the screensaver in Settings and check the power settings. If the problem persists, run the System File Checker as described in Step 3.

Can I use a screensaver with a slideshow of my photos?

Yes, Windows 10 includes a Photos screensaver. In the screensaver settings, choose Photos and click Settings to select a folder and adjust speed.

Why does my screensaver only work when I lock the PC?

This usually happens because the screen sleep timer is set shorter than the screensaver wait time. Increase the sleep timer in Power & sleep settings so the screensaver triggers first.

Is it possible to have different screensavers for different users?

Yes, each user account has its own screensaver settings. Log into each account and configure the screensaver individually.

Can I download free screensavers safely?

Yes, but only from reputable sources like the Microsoft Store or well-known software sites. Be cautious of .scr files from unknown websites—they may contain malware.

Does disabling the screensaver improve performance?

No, a screensaver uses minimal CPU when active, and modern screensavers pause when you interact. If you’re concerned, set it to None and just let the display sleep, which saves more power.

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