4 Fixes for Dynamic Wallpaper Not Working on Mac

Quick Tips

• Open Settings > Wallpaper > Download your Dynamic Wallpaper.
• Open Settings > General > Date and Time > Set Date and Time Automatically.
• If you still face the same issue, we suggest booting your Mac to Safe Mode. You’ll need to use this advanced solution only if other solutions don’t work.

Basic Fixes

• Enable Dynamic Appearance: Open Settings > Appearance > Select Auto to make your Mac wallpapers dynamic.
• Update macOS: Open Settings > General > Software Update.

Fix 1: Download Dynamic Wallpaper

Your Mac gives you nine different Dynamic Wallpapers. If you have selected a Dynamic Wallpaper, but it is not working in Dark Mode, you’ll need to check if you did download the Dynamic Wallpaper on your Mac.

Step 1: Open Settings > Wallpaper and then choose your Dynamic Wallpaper.

Step 2: Click the Download icon in your selected wallpaper.

After downloading the wallpaper, close the window and check if the problem is solved.

Fix 2: Check Your Date and Time Settings

The Dynamic Desktop feature on your MacBook or iMac will work depending on the Date and Time settings. So the solution that we recommend is checking the Date and Time settings on your Mac.

Step 1: Open Settings > General > Date and Time.

Step 2: Click the toggle next to Set date and time automatically.

Step 3: Return tot he previous section to select Language and Region.

Step 4: Ensure that the correct region is selected for the Date and Time to be set correctly.

Fix 3: Enable Location Based Suggestions

After you select the Region, Date, and Time, you’ll need to check if Location Based Suggestions are enabled on your Mac. As the name suggests, this feature will trigger the Dynamic Wallpaper when your Mac switches to Dark Mode based on your location.

Step 1: Open Settings > Privacy and Security.

Step 2: Scroll down to the bottom and then click on Details next to System Services.

Step 3: Click the toggle next to Location Based Suggestion to enable it.

Step 4: Click on Done at the bottom right side to confirm.

Fix 4: Use Safe Mode

If you still face the same issue, we suggest booting your Mac to Safe Mode. You’ll need to use this advanced solution only if other solutions don’t work. Safe Mode will prevent third-party app interference and only allow system apps to boot on your Mac.

For Macs With M-Series Chip

Step 1: Shut down your Mac.

Step 2: After your Mac shuts down, press and hold the Power Button till you see the two startup options – Macintosh HD and Options.

Step 3: Select Macintosh HD while holding the Shift key and then select Continue in Safe Mode.

For Macs with Intel Chip

Step 1: Restart your Mac.

Step 2: Press and hold the Shift key when your Mac restarts. Release the Shift key when you see the login window.

Step 3: Sign in and then check if the problem is solved.

Tip: You can read our post if Screensaver is not working on your Mac.