HT2492: Mac Basics: Dashboard gives you quick access to frequently used info

Learn about Mac Basics: Dashboard gives you quick access to frequently used info
ddayfan

Q: I bought my MacBook Air in April 2013.  My dashboard was working just fine until I did the last updates a few days ago. Now I can go to dashboard but nothing works. The clock does not even move. I have restarted my computer again but it did not help.

I bought my MacBook Air in April 2013.  My dashboard was working just fine until I did the last updates a few days ago. Now I can go to dashboard but nothing works. The clock does not even move. I have restarted my computer again but it did not help. Any ideas on how to get this working again?

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 24, 2013 4:54 AM

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Q: I bought my MacBook Air in April 2013.  My dashboard was working just fine until I did the last updates a few days ago. Now I ... more

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  • by CT,

    CT CT Jul 24, 2013 6:59 AM in response to ddayfan
    Level 6 (17,882 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 24, 2013 6:59 AM in response to ddayfan

    Do you have any third party widgets in there?  One possibile cause is that a rogue widget is hosing the Dashboard.  Can you turn them off?  If not....

     

    As a troubleshooting strategy, I would go to ~/Library/Widgets (either by pasting that path into the Go to Folder dialog in Finder, or pressing option while perusing the Finder Go menu, then selecting Library, etc.) and then temporarily removing the widgets there to some other location to see if that helps.  After the widgets are removed, you will have to restart the Dock (via Activity Monitor) or Logout/Login in order to restart the Dashboard.

     

    charlie

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jul 24, 2013 12:51 PM in response to ddayfan
    Level 9 (69,976 points)
    iTunes
    Jul 24, 2013 12:51 PM in response to ddayfan

    This worked for me.

     

    Hold down the option key while using the Finder Go To Folder command. Enter ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dashboard.plist.  Move the .plist to your desktop.

     

    Log out/in

     

    If it works, delete the .plist on your desktop.

     

    If  the same, return the .plist to where you got them from, overwriting the newer ones.

     

    If you prefer to make your user library permanently visible, use the Terminal command found below.

     

    Show User Library

     

    You might want to bookmark the command. I had to use it again after I installed 10.8.4. I have also been informed that if you drag the user library to Finder it will remain visible.

  • by okpotter,

    okpotter okpotter Aug 19, 2016 10:53 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 19, 2016 10:53 AM in response to Eric Root

    Thank you very much... this worked for me. I had the same situation happen as the initial poster when suddenly my Dashboard stopped working a few days ago. It's back up and running.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 19, 2016 11:28 AM in response to okpotter
    Level 9 (69,976 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 19, 2016 11:28 AM in response to okpotter

    You are welcome.