paleo2002
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Keychain access requests

I've been experiencing an intermittent issue with Keychain.  Programs such as com.apple.iCloudHelper.xpc, accountsd, cloudd, and safari (if its open) request that I enter my keychain access password.  If I do, the dialogue box shakes, indicating the password was incorrect.  If I click Cancel, the dialogue box cycles to another program requesting keychain access.

 

Keychain First Aid was, apparently, removed from the Keychain utility in a recent update.  I attempt to log out of iCloud when this happens, but iCloud basically freezes during start-up.  Once the box comes up, it is now impossible to make it go away without restarting my computer.

 

I've been having similar problems with Keychain for several months now, with "accountsd" being the most common instigator.  Short of nuking my Keychain and starting from scratch, is there any way to address this issue when it arises or fix it permanently?

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Dec 24, 2015 12:43 PM

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paleo2002

Q: Keychain access requests

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  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 24, 2015 4:52 PM in response to paleo2002
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Dec 24, 2015 4:52 PM in response to paleo2002

    Do you use iCloud Keychain?

  • by paleo2002,

    paleo2002 paleo2002 Dec 25, 2015 9:03 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 25, 2015 9:03 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Yes. 

     

    When I had the most recent bout of persistent Keychain access requests, I read that a solution was to log out and back in to iCloud.  However, when I tried to, the Preferences panel/app would freeze up while attempting to access the iCloud settings.  I ended up just restarting the computer entirely.

     

    I haven't had a problem since then (a few days ago).  I think that something triggered the repeated access requests.  I don't know why it wouldn't accept my password, though.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 25, 2015 10:40 AM in response to paleo2002
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Dec 25, 2015 10:40 AM in response to paleo2002

    Please take these steps to resynchronize the iCloud keychain. Your keychain on iCloud and your other Apple devices won't be affected. Take Step 2 only if Step 1 doesn't solve the problem.

    Step 1

    Back up all data.

    Open the iCloud preference pane and uncheck the Keychain box. You'll be prompted to delete the local iCloud keychain. Confirm—the data will remain on the servers. Then re-check the box. Follow one of the procedures described in this support article to set up iCloud Keychain on an additional device. Test.

    Step 2

    If you still have problems, uncheck the Keychain box again and continue.

    Triple-click the line below on this page to select it, then copy the text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination  command-C: 

    ~/Library/Keychains

    In the Finder, select

              Go ▹ Go to Folder...

    from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You may not see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

    A folder named "Keychains" should open. Inside it is a subfolder with a long name similar to (but not the same as) this:

               421DE5CA-D745-3AC1-91B0-CE5FC0ABA128

    The above is only an example; yours will have a different name of the same general form. Drag the subfolder (not the Keychains folder) to the Trash and empty.

    Restart the computer and re-enable iCloud Keychain.

  • by FlyingDutchman68,

    FlyingDutchman68 FlyingDutchman68 Dec 27, 2015 9:40 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 27, 2015 9:40 AM in response to Linc Davis

    I have the same issue. I followed your steps. It helped until the next start and I have to enter the keychain password for every app again. :-(