How to fix the "Error code-36" data read/write issue on Mac?

Question

Level 1

26 points

How to fix the "Error code-36" data read/write issue on Mac?

"The Finder can't complete the operation because some data in" "can't be read or written (Error code-36)."

This error is coming up regardless of what i try to copy, from where, and where too - external, icloud, network/server drives.

I've tried safe boot, "dot_clean" and "disk utilities first aid." With dot_clean, any address, folder etc returns the message "No such file or directory"

Not a single thing i've tried has worked.

My mac also refuses to run software updates.

Does anybody know how to solve this problem? I'm fast running out of disk space!

Thanks!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on May 1, 2023 07:21 AM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

153,496 points

May 3, 2023 04:57 AM in response to MrAlfisti

Maybe it would be worthwhile contacting Apple Support. I would leave out any mention of your network though, since their usual fees increase dramatically for enterprise support — if they think a LAN comprises "enterprise support" which may or may not be the case here.

You might not have to pay anything: Apple Complimentary Support - Official Apple Support, but the relevant language is shown in boldface:

Information that isolates issue to a third-party product, not supported by Apple

... which usually means "it's your router, our work here is done."

Start here: Get Support. Let me know what they come up with.

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

153,496 points

May 1, 2023 07:34 AM in response to MrAlfisti

I'm fast running out of disk space!

That could be the singular explanation for all the symptoms you describe. Back up your files with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support if you have not done so already. Then, start reclaiming some disk space.

Free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support

Optimize storage space on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

153,496 points

May 3, 2023 03:55 AM in response to MrAlfisti

Understandable. Things were a lot easier when Apple built routers and Time Capsule. Using a variety of equipment from different manufacturers results in a lot of finger-pointing and wasted time.

Tried "Safe Mode"?

How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 4

MrAlfisti Author

Level 1

26 points

May 2, 2023 12:43 AM in response to MrAlfisti

Update: I've re-installed Mac OS via start-up options this morning. No change. Can't copy of move anything off device.

Edit: Individual files can be moved. Folders give the error message.

Folders that are on iCloud drive cannot be downloaded (....couldn't be downloaded. Please check your internet connection, then try again.)

Individual files from within a folder on iCloud CAN be downloaded singularly and moved/copied elsewhere.

After the new instal of OSX, a 'security recommendation' update has appeared. Like updating normally, the download starts then tells me to check my internet connection then drops out.

My internet connection btw, is fine. If also done all of the above connected to my router over LAN.

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Answer 5

MrAlfisti Author

Level 1

26 points

May 2, 2023 10:55 PM in response to John Galt

My Time Machine disk is a remote drive on my server. I've been able to reconnect and complete a back-up.

Still have the error when copying folders (single files work, but this isn't really helpful) to remote disks, external drives, iCloud drive, and when attempting updates.

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Answer 6

John Galt

Level 10

153,496 points

May 3, 2023 03:01 AM in response to MrAlfisti

The problems you describe all point to a common cause, which is your local network (LAN). It appears to be suffering from intermittent or unreliable connections. Getting to the root cause will require debugging on a network level, which is a tedious endeavor at best on a user-to-user support site like this one.

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Answer 7

MrAlfisti Author

Level 1

26 points

May 3, 2023 03:44 AM in response to John Galt

I've recently replaced my router due to suspecting this could be the cause of my Update download problems.

Still can't solve the main problem though - error 36.

I move a lot of data around, and not being able to use even a USB drive at the moment without moving individual files, is a killer.

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Answer 8

Apr 22, 2024 05:31 PM in response to MrAlfisti

I have recently had this error and it tied out to be 1 single file that was corrupt. When trying to move folders it would fail so we went into the suspect folder and moved the files individually until we found the corrupt file. It then worked no problem.

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