HT201482: If you see a 'could not load' message when opening a System Preferences pane

Learn about If you see a 'could not load' message when opening a System Preferences pane
abrahamt50

Q: I am on 10.11.6 and still getting this message. Already deleted all Guests and still cannot open USers preferences

i am 10.11.6 and now getting the message "Could not load Users & Groups preference pane." already deleted all the guests users but still getting the message.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 10

Posted on Sep 15, 2016 7:58 AM

Close

Q: I am on 10.11.6 and still getting this message. Already deleted all Guests and still cannot open USers preferences

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Sep 15, 2016 8:33 AM in response to abrahamt50
    Level 9 (71,487 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 15, 2016 8:33 AM in response to abrahamt50

    Try running the combo update. It installs all previous updates plus the new one, which can replace any files that may have become corrupted.

     

    10.11.6 combo update

     

    If that doesn't work, try a restart.

     

    Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferenes, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.

     

    Isolating an issue by using another user account

     

    If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account.  Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.

     

     

     

    Safe Mode - About El Capitan

     

    Safe Mode Startup – El Capitan.

     

    If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor.  Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. On the screen with Options, please open Options and check the bottom 2 boxes before running. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown.
     

    Etrecheck – System Information