I am trying to make changes to my security and privacy preferences. However, when I click on the padlock icon at the bottom left of the screen and try to include my password, the window just shakes to let me know that the password has not been accepted. This is the same password that I use to log onto the computer but it does not work when used to make adjustments. I changed the password twice but to no avail.
iMac 27″, macOS 11.1
Hi mightywun,
We see you're having some issues unlock some System Preferences settings with your Admin password. We can certainly understand the need to be able to adjust things as expected. We'd be happy to assist with that.
To start, please try the steps on this page in the "Before resetting the SMC, try these steps" section:
How to reset the SMC of your Mac
If that doesn't help, proceed to reset the SMC with that page's steps. If it doesn't resolve things after the first SMC reset, it may take a second try. If it remains unresolved, boot to macOS Recovery (Command+R on startup, if using a non-M1 chip Mac). Then, head to Disk Utility, select the startup drive on the left, and then select the First Aid button. After that's completed, attempt to unlock System Preferences with your Admin password again.
Take care.
I can't unlock security and privacy preferences to make changes
