Applications keeps crashing on Macos 11.3.1

Applications like Firefox, Outlook and Box crashes as soon as it opened.

They seem to not respond and becomes completely unresponsive.

Updated Macos to 11.3.1 on 4-5-2021.

Not able to shutdown or restart even after quitting them forcefully.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.3

Posted on May 4, 2021 7:11 AM

Reply
Question marked as ⚠️ Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 5, 2021 8:46 AM

Hello there, sidhvijaycg!


Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities! It sounds like you have issues with applications crashing on your Mac and not being able to shutdown or restart the Mac. First, we recommend taking a look at this article with steps to follow for How to use safe mode on your Mac. This will perform checks and stop certain software from starting up automatically. Once you are in safe mode, test to see if you have the same issue.


We also suggest following these steps to Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac and create a test user to see if the issue is user specific or system wide.


Let us know the results and have a terrific day!

7 replies
Sort By: 
Question marked as ⚠️ Top-ranking reply

May 5, 2021 8:46 AM in response to sidhvijaycg

Hello there, sidhvijaycg!


Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities! It sounds like you have issues with applications crashing on your Mac and not being able to shutdown or restart the Mac. First, we recommend taking a look at this article with steps to follow for How to use safe mode on your Mac. This will perform checks and stop certain software from starting up automatically. Once you are in safe mode, test to see if you have the same issue.


We also suggest following these steps to Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac and create a test user to see if the issue is user specific or system wide.


Let us know the results and have a terrific day!

Reply

May 12, 2021 6:57 AM in response to sidhvijaycg

Thanks for keeping us updated, sidhvijaycg!


Since the issue is not happening in safe mode, we suggest following the steps in the article How to use safe mode on your Mac, specificallly this section:


"If the issue doesn't continue in safe mode

If the issue doesn't continue while in safe mode, leave safe mode by restarting your Mac normally. Then test for the issue again. The issue might be resolved.

If the issue returns after leaving safe mode, startup items are probably at fault. Apps can install such items in numerous places, and they aren't always easy to find or recognize. For that reason, you should first make sure that you've installed any available updates for your Apple software and third-party apps.

If updating your software doesn't help, try any of these solutions:

  • Test your login items.
  • To learn whether software in your user account is causing the issue, set up a new user account, then log in to it and try to reproduce the issue in that account.
  • Unplug all accessories from your Mac, including printers, drives, USB hubs, and other nonessential devices. You could have an issue with one or more of those devices or their cables.
  • Reinstall macOS.

If you still need help, please contact Apple Support."


Take care!

Reply

May 13, 2021 6:42 AM in response to sidhvijaycg

Thanks for keeping us up to date!


If the issue is not happening in safe mode, are you able to copy the files while in safe mode? Check out this article to Use external storage devices with Mac.


Also, check out this link If you can’t move or copy an item on Mac.


Once that is done, you can follow the steps to Reinstall macOS.


Cheers!

Reply

May 6, 2021 4:47 AM in response to sidhvijaycg

I was able to use all applications without any problem for some time. But, later started seeing the same problem. The problem doesn't seem to occur when I am in Safe mode. Also, everything worked fine when I created a new test account. Is re-installing OS the only other option available?

Reply

May 13, 2021 4:03 AM in response to AppleJen77

Apple software and third-party apps are up to date. Finder app is the one which is causing the most problem.

I am not able to copy my files to an external drive as the Finder app freezes.

Want to Reinstall macOS but want to copy all my files to an external drive as a back up which I am not able to perform.

Reply

May 13, 2021 7:28 AM in response to sidhvijaycg

sidhvijaycg wrote:

Want to Reinstall macOS but want to copy all my files to an external drive as a back up which I am not able to perform.

First of all, you need to have a Time Machine backup - full stop. Do not do ANYTHING until you have a backup.


Secondly, reinstalling the operating system will do nothing whatsoever. You would need to erase the hard drive and then reinstall the operating system. That will remove the 3rd party system modifications that are likely causing this problem.


There are some less destructive means of identifying which 3rd party system modifications are likely to be causing these problems. Alas, I have a vested interest in them so I'm not allowed to mention it here in the forums.

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Applications keeps crashing on Macos 11.3.1

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.