Mac OS Big Sur - Dialog box not responding to mouse clicks

I rebooted in safe mode.

and the update OS X and after installation everything was fine again

Resize the box and it suddenly will be clickable again.

I am having the same issue since updating to Big Sur. I was waiting for Apple to fix the bug in the software updates, but it is very frustrating to see that it has been persisting for several months. The workaround by "slightly resizing" the dialog window works for Open/Save type boxes, but several dialog windows do not have resizability, and so it is rendered completely disfunctional. Please fix this ASAP.

Having the same issue now for a Month on macOS Big Sur 11.2.3. My File dialogs (open file, save file, etc) are not responding to clicks. I can use the tab sometimes and they respond to key inputs. Same goes for the Settings App. I can open like Security settings but not click on the tab selectors or buttons.

I need to restart the computer then it works again for some time.

I have been in the same spot. I did a reinstall of the OS. I did not lose my Data. But now have been working for a month without issue.

I would do the reinstall and only install the other programs as needed. It's worth it.

Minimising System Preferences and restoring a window worked for me. Thank you!

This is a very annoying bug and I'm really surprised it's been around for so long. In my opinion, it should be considered as critical since it prevents clicking "Click the lock to make changes" in Security & Privacy.

Resizing the dialogue works for me too. BUT... some sub-dialogues can't be resized so you can only hit ESC to get out.

This issue seems to have been resolved for me after the latest MacOS update (version 11.2.3).

Having this problem as well, the window 'save , or save as' just aren't responding to the clicks.

resize the window 'fixes' it....

I have noticed that moving the box a bit (eg on the lower right quadrant) allows me to click on it. I am running 12.4 and this still happens to me constantly.

Hello rgbvgg,

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. We understand that you're having issues with your trackpad becoming unresponsive when specific features are being used. Try some of the steps in this article:

If an app freezes or quits unexpectedly on Mac

Does this occur in safe mode and another user account?

How to use safe mode on your Mac

Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac

Keep us posted on how it goes.

Best wishes.

I've found 2 ways to (sometimes) get around the problem.

1. Minimise the dialog (works well for settings) and open again - going immediately to the section you want to access.
2. resize the dialog box - again - clicking immediately to the section you wish to access.

Sometimes multiple resizes / minimises are required if many ops are needed.

Cheers

I was able to clear up the issue on my Macbook Air M1 running Big Sur 11.4. went to Library/Preferences, there I deleted all 247 xx.plist files. I rebooted and had to re-setup my mac, but it is now working. I can click in any box now without issue. this may be more of a brut force way, but it works for now.

My guess: an accessibility feature altered by some program causes this. Either way, rebooting worked (for now).