Screensaver Not Working in Windows 10 FIX (2023 guide)

Is your screensaver not turning on in Windows 10, no matter how long you wait? You’re not alone! Many users have faced this issue where the screensaver refuses to start, or the display stays active even after inactivity. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to fix the screensaver not working issue in Windows 10 easily .

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🛠️ Step-by-Step Fix for Screensaver Not Working in Windows 10

Method 1: Check Your Screensaver Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Personalization → Lock screen → Screen saver settings.
3. Select a screensaver from the dropdown menu.
4. Set a time under Wait (e.g., 5 minutes).
5. Check the box that says “On resume, display logon screen.”
6. Click Apply → OK.

✅ Tip: Make sure your screensaver preview works when you click Preview.

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Method 2: Check Mouse and Keyboard Activity

• Unplug any wireless mouse or external devices temporarily.
• If you’re using a gaming controller, disconnect it — these can keep your PC “awake.”
• Try another USB port if the issue persists.

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Method 3: Disable Power Management on USB Devices

1. Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices.
3. Right-click your mouse → Properties → Power Management tab.
4. Uncheck “Allow this device to wake the computer.”
5. Repeat this for your keyboard as well.

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Method 4: Update or Reinstall Display Drivers

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click your GPU → Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
4. Restart your PC.

If the issue continues, try reinstalling the driver manually from the GPU manufacturer’s site (Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA).

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Method 5: Use Command Prompt to Reset Power Settings

1. Type cmd in the search bar → Right-click → Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: powercfg -restoredefaultschemes
3. Restart your system.

This resets all power settings, including display and screensaver timeouts, to default.

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Method 6: Check for Windows Updates

1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Install any pending updates and restart your computer.

Outdated builds sometimes contain bugs that prevent the screensaver from working.

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🎯 Conclusion

That’s it! By following these simple methods, you can fix the “Screensaver Not Working” issue in Windows 10 quickly. Most users find success after adjusting power management or screensaver settings.

If the issue still persists, try creating a new user account to check if the problem is profile-related.