System Preference icons vanish after apps crash

Question

Level 1

16 points

System Preference icons vanish after apps crash

After several apps had to be Force Quit (iCal, Safari ,Tapforms, Dorico) I restated and noticed that the System Preference icons vanished and also a very large back-up started on Time Machine.

Also several custom changes to window toolbars vanished. I had also been signed out of my apple id and have had to reset my password.

I am running 10.15.4

I just hope I haven't been attacked/hacked.

I attach an image of System Preferences with missing icons.

iMac 27", macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 21, 2020 8:28 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

andyforrest Author

Level 1

16 points

Apr 23, 2020 3:37 AM in response to brenden dv

Thanks very much, Brenden,

A safe boot didn't do it so I re-installed Mac OS.

Surprisingly easy - I had got out of the habit of doing this; the last time was on my Mac SE using floppy disks!

All well now (I hope).

Reply

Answer 2

brenden dv

Community Specialist

Apr 22, 2020 5:15 PM in response to andyforrest

Hello andyforrest,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. It sounds like several of your icons disappeared from System Preferences. I'd be happy to share information that may help.

First, start up your Mac in safe mode: How to use safe mode on your Mac.

You may also want to test this issue in another user account: How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac.

Take care.

Reply

System Preference icons vanish after apps crash

Similar questions