Finder focus on wrong window

I'm running the latest Mac OS (Ventura 13.1) on a MacBook Pro with two external monitors.

I like to have two Finder windows open on one monitor, one atop another, displaying the contents of different folders.

Several times a day, I'll encounter an annoying problem:

I have a file selected in one window, and it appears highlighted in blue, so that window has the focus, right?

However, when I press the spacebar for QuickLook at that selected file, QuickLook displays a different file that's selected in the other window. That other file is highlighted in gray, indicating that it was previously selected but then the focus changed to a different window.

I used QuickLook as an example above, but it isn't the problem because I also have this problem if I'm trying to open or delete files.

To correct the problem, I have to resort to changing what's displayed in one folder. That seems to fit the focus on the correct folder, but only for a while.

Any ideas on how to avoid this problem in the first place?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Feb 5, 2023 08:15 PM

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3 replies

Feb 7, 2023 02:21 PM in response to Owen Linzmayer

Hey there Owen Linzmayer,

Since the issue revolves around being specific to Finder, it might be best to start there. Finder, like any other app, has similar troubleshooting steps:

Restart Finder by restarting the Mac if you haven't already: Shut down or restart your Mac - Apple Support
Start in safe mode to see if the same behavior happens. Since it sounds intermittent, you might have to try it a few time or restart back to to normal mode since safe mode also runs a check on the startup disk Finder uses to search or manage files where you're having that issue: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support
While there is no explicit mention of this issue, keeping the Mac updated (latest being 13.2) might resolve these types of issues: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support

If it's still having the same issue, Contact Apple Support for next steps since they can look into the issue further with you.

Take care!

Feb 7, 2023 02:49 PM in response to Nicholas_B2

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Your recommendations are all pretty generic for any issue.

I've been experiencing this sort of behavior for quite a while now, over the course of many Mac OS X revisions, so I don't think upgrading to 13.2 from 13.1 will resolve, but I am updating now.

I was hoping other users would chime in if they are having similar problems so we could try to determine what's the root cause and solution for same.

ASTRO24

Community Specialist

Feb 7, 2023 03:00 PM in response to Owen Linzmayer

Hi Owen Linzmayer,

It would be best to reach out to Apple to have them investigate the matter for a solution.

Contact - Official Apple Support

Regards.

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Finder focus on wrong window