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User profile for user: kmar_808
kmar_808 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

System Preferences keeps Crashing

I have a MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013). I recently updated my software to macOS Catalina the other day and ever since then my System Preferences kept crashing every time I open it. I've tried deleting the com.apple.desktop.plist located in the ~/Library/Preferences then restarting my laptop, but that didn't work. I've also cleaned my disk through CleanMyMac and Disk Utility then restarted my laptop again, but that didn't work either.


I found this tip from this website: http://themacmob.com/forum/what-should-i-do-if-system-preferences-keeps-freezing-when-opening-mac-102775.html

What should I do if the System preferences keeps on freezing when opening it in Mac?

This issue can happen if there is some cache issue with the plist file. Now there is a workaround for this problem which help you to resolve this soon. Just follow the below mentioned steps,

STEP 1: Select the Finder icon from the dock.
STEP 2: Now select Go -> Go to Folder.. option from the menu.
STEP 3: Type ~/Library/Preferences -> Press Enter.
STEP 4: Now search for the file named as com.apple.desktop.plist -> Move that file to trash.
STEP 5: Restart your Mac once and try opening the System Preferences which should now work fine without any issues.


Here is the problem report I received: https://pastebin.com/HYTJ74KK

(The code exceeds the 5,000 character limit for this post so it's in a separate link.)


Please suggest on how I can fix this issue. Many thanks!

MacBook Pro Retina

Posted on Sep 3, 2020 8:35 PM

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,873 points

Posted on Sep 3, 2020 9:08 PM

What happened when you followed the tip you posted? If it is not relevant, then why is it there? The external file you referenced is a Crash Report. We haven't the equipment needed to interpret them. They are meaningless to us.


A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


    If possible, backup your files before proceeding.


  1. Shutdown the computer and disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  2. Wait 30 seconds before you restart the computer.
  3. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences, if needed, after resetting the PRAM.
  6. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally. See How  to  use  safe  mode  on  your  Mac.
  7. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  8. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  9. Reinstall a Combo Updater  macOS Catalina 10.15.6  Combo  Update, macOS Mojave 10.14.6 Combo Update, macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Combo Update, macOOS 10.12.6 Combo Update, OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update.
  10. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Install OS X then click on the Continue button.
  11. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:


     1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.

     2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

     3. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

     4. Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

     5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

     6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

     7. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,873 points

Sep 3, 2020 9:08 PM in response to kmar_808

What happened when you followed the tip you posted? If it is not relevant, then why is it there? The external file you referenced is a Crash Report. We haven't the equipment needed to interpret them. They are meaningless to us.


A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


    If possible, backup your files before proceeding.


  1. Shutdown the computer and disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  2. Wait 30 seconds before you restart the computer.
  3. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences, if needed, after resetting the PRAM.
  6. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally. See How  to  use  safe  mode  on  your  Mac.
  7. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  8. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  9. Reinstall a Combo Updater  macOS Catalina 10.15.6  Combo  Update, macOS Mojave 10.14.6 Combo Update, macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Combo Update, macOOS 10.12.6 Combo Update, OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update.
  10. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Install OS X then click on the Continue button.
  11. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:


     1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.

     2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

     3. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

     4. Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

     5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

     6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

     7. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


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System Preferences keeps Crashing

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