finder won't launch

I can not get my Finder to work.


I have:

1) tried to relaunch

2) deleted so many things only 1/2 of my 1 TB storage is being used

3) restarted my computer both using restart and using the power button

4) updated all software

5) deleted extra apps

6) used Activity manager to try to force quit


I am losing my mind. I have a project to get done and need this to be fixed.


I did have an eternal hard drive connected and when the finder froze I couldn't eject properly and am now worried I've messed that up.


Help would be very much appreciated!


2019 15" MacBook Pro

Ventura 13.2

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 13.2

Posted on Feb 12, 2023 10:10 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 13, 2023 02:30 AM



1 - Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.


2 - Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 


3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?


4 - Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.


Still issues >>


5 - If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.


6 - If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.


Still having issue >>


7 - Download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer.


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.


It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 


The application is free or paid from added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<


Similar questions

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 13, 2023 02:30 AM in response to sherrydi



1 - Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.


2 - Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 


3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?


4 - Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.


Still issues >>


5 - If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.


6 - If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.


Still having issue >>


7 - Download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer.


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.


It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 


The application is free or paid from added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<


Feb 16, 2023 10:50 AM in response to sherrydi

Thank you for the suggestions. I spent several days trying each method. I put something on my computer from an external hard rive (tried to import old iPhotos) and it just froze up the finder. I wound up using Disc Utility and repaired the volumes and containers and the hard drive. That worked. I appreciate your time and will save this for future reference.

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finder won't launch

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