I am running Mac OS 10.11.6 on my MacBook Pro laptop--an admittedly older model -- and received this message when I tried to check on my security and privacy settings. What do I do to correct the problem?
I need to be able to open that preference pane.
You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.
Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.
You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.
Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.
If the above doesn't work, it might be a corrupt .plist.
Do a backup, preferably 2 backups on 2 separate drives.
Quit System Preferences.
Go to Finder and select your user/home folder. With that Finder window as the front window, either select Finder/View/Show View options or go command - J. When the View options opens, check ’Show Library Folder’. That should make your user library folder visible in your user/home folder. Select Library. Then go to Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist. Move the .plist to your desktop.
Restart the computer, open the application, and test. If it works okay, delete the plist from the desktop.
If the application is the same, return the .plist to where you got it from, overwriting the newer one.
Thanks to leonie for some information contained in this.
Kappy, your suggestions did work. Thanks. I can now get back into the preference panel for “Security and Privacy.”
I am wondering if the problem was caused by third-party software with a device I installed recently—ScanMarker Air digital scanner pen. The pen works great, but I think these problem may have started then (or maybe not). The problem has been easily solved, thanks to you.
As a side note, I am not sure why the accessibility part of the security/privacy panel has boxes for me to check for these apps listed to “control my computer”-- “cron,: “invalid” and “osascript.” I did need to check the box for the new ScanMarker pen but am not checking those other boxes. Thx again.
Thanks, Eric, for the suggestions. I had already started on the list suggested by Kappy--and those took care of the problem. It is good to know, though, your suggestions on how to handle corrupt .plist problems if that had been the case. --appreciate the help.
Thanks, Kappy, for your super-fast reply. Will try these and get back to you.
I would unlock the panel and check those boxes if you want apps and the OS to function properly whenever those processes are being used. This is all part of the new security built-in to macOS.
You are welcome.
OK. Will check those boxes. I had no idea what those checkboxes for “cron,: “invalid” and “osascript" were for. Thx for clarifying this!
Mac preference error message: "Could not load Security & Privacy preference pane"
