Can a Music Player Still Play Through Screensaver in Windows 10?

Can a Music Player Still Play Through Screensaver in Windows 10?

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Brooks
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Windows 10 offers plenty of customization options, from wallpapers to screensavers. But if you’re someone who loves listening to music while working, relaxing, or even during a break, you might wonder if your music will keep playing when the screensaver comes on. Screensavers are a fun visual feature, but do they interfere with your music playback?

The answer depends on a few factors, including the music player you’re using, your system settings, and how Windows handles background tasks. Let’s explore this in detail.

Does Music Stop When the Screensaver Starts?

The short answer is: No, music does not stop playing automatically when the screensaver activates. Most music players in Windows 10 are designed to run in the background, even when a screensaver is active. However, there are some exceptions and potential hiccups to consider.

Why Music Keeps Playing:

  1. Background Playback: Most music players, like Spotify, VLC, or Windows Media Player, are designed to run in the background.

  2. System Behavior: Windows 10 prioritizes audio tasks, meaning music playback continues uninterrupted.

  3. Screensaver Functionality: Screensavers are designed to display visuals without affecting background processes like audio playback.

If your music stops when the screensaver starts, it’s likely due to a specific issue with your settings or the music player itself.

Step 1: Test Your Music Player with a Screensaver

Before troubleshooting, test if your music player works with a screensaver.

How to Test:

  1. Open Your Music Player:

    • Launch the app you use for music playback (e.g., Spotify, iTunes, VLC, or Groove Music).

    • Play a song or playlist.

  2. Activate the Screensaver:

    • Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen > Screensaver Settings.

    • Set the screensaver to activate after 1 minute for quick testing.

  3. Observe the Playback:

    • Let the screensaver activate and check if the music continues playing.

If the music stops, proceed to the troubleshooting steps below.

Step 2: Check Music Player Settings

Some music players have settings that control whether playback continues in the background.

What to Check:

  1. Background Playback:

    • Open your music player’s settings.

    • Look for an option like Allow Background Playback or Keep Playing in Background and ensure it’s enabled.

  2. Energy Saver Settings:

    • Some apps may pause playback when the system enters an idle state. Disable any energy-saving features within the app.

  3. Update the App:

    • Ensure your music player is updated to the latest version for optimal compatibility with Windows 10.

Step 3: Adjust Windows Power Settings

Windows 10’s power settings can impact how apps behave when the screensaver activates.

How to Adjust Power Settings:

  1. Open Power Options:

    • Press Windows + R, type powercfg.cpl, and press Enter.

  2. Choose Your Power Plan:

    • Select your current power plan and click Change Plan Settings.

  3. Modify Advanced Settings:

    • Click Change Advanced Power Settings.

    • Expand Multimedia Settings > When Sharing Media, and set it to Allow the Computer to Stay Active.

This ensures that Windows doesn’t interrupt background processes like music playback when idle.

Step 4: Disable Screensaver Interference

In rare cases, certain screensavers might interfere with audio playback. Disabling or changing the screensaver can help.

How to Change or Disable Screensaver:

  1. Open Screensaver Settings:

    • Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen > Screensaver Settings.

  2. Select a Different Screensaver:

    • Test another screensaver to see if the issue persists.

  3. Disable the Screensaver:

    • Set the screensaver to None and check if music continues playing without interruption.

Step 5: Use Task Manager to Monitor Playback

Task Manager can help identify whether your music player is being paused or interrupted.

How to Monitor Music Playback:

  1. Open Task Manager:

    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

  2. Go to the Processes Tab:

    • Look for your music player in the list of active processes.

  3. Check Status During Screensaver:

    • Let the screensaver activate and see if the music player shows any changes (e.g., “Suspended”).

If the app gets suspended, it’s likely a compatibility issue with the screensaver.

Step 6: Troubleshooting Specific Music Players

Different music players handle background playback differently. Here’s how to optimize settings for common players:

Spotify:

  • Ensure Offline Mode is disabled if streaming music.

  • Allow background playback in Spotify’s settings.

VLC Media Player:

  • Enable Run in Background under Preferences.

  • Update to the latest version for better compatibility.

Windows Media Player:

  • Disable Sleep Settings in Power Options to prevent interruptions.

  • Ensure that Background Playback is enabled in the app settings.

Step 7: Update Audio Drivers

Outdated audio drivers can cause playback issues during screensavers.

How to Update Drivers:

  1. Open Device Manager:

    • Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

  2. Locate Audio Drivers:

    • Expand the Sound, Video, and Game Controllers section.

  3. Update Drivers:

    • Right-click your audio device and select Update Driver.

    • Choose Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software.

Updating drivers ensures smooth playback during all system states.

Step 8: Alternatives to Screensavers

If you continue to experience issues, consider alternatives to screensavers.

Alternatives:

  1. Use Lock Screen:

    • Instead of a screensaver, lock your screen with Windows + L. This preserves music playback.

  2. Reduce Screen Brightness:

    • Lower the brightness to save energy while keeping music playing.

  3. Set a Static Background:

    • Use a still image instead of a dynamic screensaver.

These options minimize interruptions while achieving similar effects to screensavers.

Conclusion

Yes, music players can still play through screensavers in Windows 10. In most cases, playback continues seamlessly, as screensavers are designed to be non-intrusive. However, occasional issues might arise due to app settings, power configurations, or outdated drivers.

By following the steps outlined in this guide—testing your music player, adjusting system settings, and troubleshooting common problems—you can enjoy uninterrupted music playback even when your screensaver is active.

See you soon in the next Windows 10 guide.