Why Doesn’t Mac Desktop Wallpaper Stay and How to Fix It?

Customizing your Mac and having a wallpaper is a great way to express yourself while using your computer. However, if you have used this type of device for any period of time, you may have encountered a certain annoyance: your wallpaper is constantly reset to default.

Your wallpaper may keep resetting for various reasons, but don’t worry – as annoying as it is, the steps to fix this issue are not difficult.

Here is a list of reasons why your Mac desktop wallpaper is not staying, and how you can fix each one.

Reason 1: He May Have Deleted the Picture

If you used a photo from the internet or something you took yourself, you may find that your Mac desktop wallpaper is reset after deleting it. In this case, your computer has most likely chosen to reset it to default because the file is missing.

You may not notice it since you close the lid and put the MacBook to sleep, which is pretty common practice. And only when you reboot, you find the wallpaper different from the one you set. Here’s how to fix it.

Stage 1: Restore your screen saver image to your computer. Alternatively, you can revisit the website you downloaded it to, or – if you haven’t unloaded it yet – extract the photo from your computer’s Bin.

Step 2: Go to the picture. Click the image with your trackpad while holding down the Ctrl key.

Stage 3: Select Set Desktop Picture.

After doing each of the above, your background image should change immediately. As long as you don’t delete the image again, you shouldn’t have a problem with this.

Reason 2: MacOS Does Not Allow

Another reason why your desktop wallpaper keeps reverting to default is because your Mac has some bugs. This is something you may encounter after Apple has released a new version of macOS; Problems like this usually go away after subsequent updates fix the problem.

If you suspect your Mac has some kind of bug, it’s a good idea to check for possible software updates. To do this, follow the steps we have listed below this paragraph.

Stage 1: Click the Apple logo in the upper left corner of your Mac.

Step 2: Go to System Preferences. This is the second option; You can find it in About This Mac below.

Stage 3: Click on the Software Update option while in the System Preferences applet. The icon looks like a cogwheel and is closer to the bottom of this window.

Step 4: After clicking on Software Update, your computer will search for possible updates. If you need to, you’ll see something on your screen saying you need to update your computer.

Step 5: If prompted to update your computer, click this option.

In the future, you can save yourself the trouble of manually checking for updates by letting your computer install them automatically. To do this:

Stage 1: Go back to System Preferences.

Step 2: Go to Software Update.

Stage 3: Check the box that says “Automatically keep my Mac up to date”.

If you click on Advanced you will be able to customize this further.

Reason 3: Your Settings Are Wrong

In some cases, your computer’s desktop picture will constantly change because you allow it.

In your Mac’s settings, you’ll find an option to choose a specific time you want your wallpaper to last. But in most cases you won’t want to mark it.

If you are worried that this box is checked, the steps below should help you fix it.

Stage 1: Click on the Apple logo and go to System Preferences.

Step 2: Go to Desktop & Screen Saver near the top of this window.

Stage 3: Near the bottom you will see an option called “Change Picture:”. If the box is checked and appears blue, click it to uncheck it.

Step 4: Go to the picture you want to make your screen saver. Once you find it, follow the steps we outlined in the first section to complete the process.

Keep Your Mac Wallpaper In Place

When a Mac’s wallpaper suddenly changes, it’s confusing and annoying at the same time. You’ll be forgiven for thinking there’s nothing you can do about it. Fortunately, you still have many options.

Your desktop wallpaper can change for a variety of reasons, some of which you may have never thought about. However, by identifying the cause, you can both solve the problem and prevent it from happening again.