Screen going blank when activating a program

Screen going blank when activating a program

If your entire desktop disappears when you open an application such as Safari, leaving only that application visible, one of two macOS settings may be responsible.

1. Stage Manager organizes your desktop by keeping the active application in view and moving other open applications into thumbnails along the left-hand side of the screen. It does not close applications or delete files.

To turn it off:

1. Click the Apple menu.
2. Open System Settings.
3. Select Desktop & Dock.
4. Scroll down to Desktop & Stage Manager.
5. Switch Stage Manager off.

2. Safari may be opening in Full Screen mode, which hides your desktop and other application windows.

To exit Full Screen mode:

1. Open Safari.
2. Press Control + Command + F.
3. Alternatively, move your pointer to the top of the screen and click the green window button.

After trying these steps, open Safari again and see whether your normal desktop, wallpaper, icons and other open applications are visible.

There may be another macOS window-management or display setting involved.

Before changing anything else, establish whether the monitor is actually going black or whether the desktop is simply disappearing behind the active application.

That distinction will help identify the cause and determine the appropriate next step.

For additional guidance, see Apple's Stage Manager guide.

You have likely turned on Stage Manager or opened the app in Full Screen mode. 

Depending on whether your desktop icons and background are simply disappearing behind Safari, or if an external secondary monitor is turning pitch black, here is exactly what you need to check: 

Stage Manager is Turned On

Stage Manager automatically hides your desktop wallpaper, files, and background windows to keep you focused on a single active application. 

• Open System Settings via the Apple menu.
• Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar.
• Scroll down to the Desktop & Stage Manager section.
• Toggle Stage Manager off. 

More info from Apple: Organise your Mac desktop with Stage Manager

Safari is in Full Screen Mode

If Safari expands to fill your entire display and hides the Apple menu bar and dock, it is running in full-screen mode. 

• Move your mouse pointer to the very top edge of the screen to reveal the menu bar.
• Click the green circle button in the top-left corner of the Safari window to exit.
• Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Control + Command + F.

"Displays Have Separate Spaces" is Disabled (For Multiple Monitors)

If you use more than one monitor and the second screen goes completely pitch black when you make Safari full screen, a system setting is misconfigured. 

• Go to System Settings > Desktop & Dock.
• Scroll down to the Mission Control section.
• Turn On the setting for Displays have separate Spaces.
• Log out of your Mac and log back in for the change to take effect.