How can I fix black screen during fast user switching on Mac?

When I click on a User icon in the Menu Bar I get their login screen momentarily and then the screen goes black for about 5 seconds. I get a symbol on my monitor indicating that there is no signal. It may or may not return to the login screen without me pressing a key. I don't think this ever happened on other Macs I've used. I have searched on the web for answers but not a single mention of it anywhere AFAIK.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Fast User Switching - black screen

Mac mini (M4)

Posted on Aug 19, 2025 11:29 PM

Reply
5 replies

Aug 22, 2025 08:14 AM in response to Geoff Wales

Geoff Wales wrote:

When I click on a User icon in the Menu Bar I get their login screen momentarily and then the screen goes black for about 5 seconds. I get a symbol on my monitor indicating that there is no signal. It may or may not return to the login screen without me pressing a key. I don't think this ever happened on other Macs I've used. I have searched on the web for answers but not a single mention of it anywhere AFAIK.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Fast User Switching - black screen


Verify your software is up to date…

The current stable release of Sequoia including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 15.6.1

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support


Aug 22, 2025 07:56 PM in response to Geoff Wales

Geoff Wales wrote:

I don't see 15.6.1. It only shows the Tahoe beta. Do I have to leave the Beta program to access updates for my system?

OK, I found out. Downloading now.

If you are using the Tahoe Beta, then you are on your own for support. It is not permitted to discuss Betas here on the Apple forums....it is against the forum rules and also the Terms & Conditions EULA you accepted when installing the macOS Tahoe Beta (seems you need to go back & read the rules of using the macOS beta).


You should be reporting issues with the Beta to the Apple macOS beta support team.....after all that is what a Beta test is for....finding bugs & reporting them to the developers so those issues can be addressed prior to the public release. Since I am not part of the beta test, I have no idea how or where you report those issues (that information may even be restricted from posting on the public forum as well).


FYI, people should not be installing beta software if they are not willing to deal with issues which occur while using the beta software. In fact, beta software should never be installed on your primary system since it is guaranteed you will encounter problems....sometimes catastrophic & data destroying problems. Beta software should only be installed on a secondary system which you are willing to wipe clean & start over completely. Plus any backups made when using a newer version of OS cannot easily be restored to an earlier OS since the preference files & various built-in app data files/formats (especially libraries such as Music/iTunes, Videos, Photos) may have changed their file format/layouts. A Beta test is not intended to be a chance to preview things prior to release....beta software still has lots of bugs & issues. Only app developers should be using a macOS beta in order to have their apps ready to run on the new OS once the new version of macOS has been publicly released.


How can I fix black screen during fast user switching on Mac?

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