Finder Column View, resize handles blank, redux

Hey there!

Thanks for the info. Can you say if the same type of issue occurs in other apps? (As far as the interface not showing built in graphics, etc)?

I’d assume that since after a restart you see the same issue then relaunching the Finder won’t make a difference.

The p.list as said was also one of my thoughts, but that’s been done of course.

I can’t think of a specific setting or preference related to this behavior, other than what’s been posted already, but there are many to suspect, and know it happens only in your user, but also in safe mode.

So can you say if you have anything in System Preferences > Users and Groups > Login Items? (Apps you can enable to open automatically upon login)? If so, I’d remove all by highlighting each and pressing the “-“ below for each, then restart and test.

Otherwise, (And always keep a backup):

Quit all open apps.

Open Finder, and while holding Option, choose Go > Library (From the top menu).

Open the “Caches” folder.

Select all the contents, and on the top menu again press File > New folder (with selection). Press Return and restart to test.

If that also fails:

I have still had luck as well fixing similar issues only happening in one user account by repairing the user permissions, although the process has changed I have still found it helpful:

I believe the new OS may not allow you to apply permissions to a full user profile, but you can try this:

Quit all apps.

Open System Preferences > Security and Privacy > Full Disk Access.

Either hit the “+” sign and add Terminal to the list, (Found in Finder > Go > Utilities), or just drag Terminal into that window.

Next open Terminal, copy and paste this the press Return and wait for the process to finish:

diskutil resetUserPermissions / `id -u`

Once Terminal indicates it’s done, restart and test.

Of it still fails to work, the newer process may involves these steps:

Reboot your Mac to recovery mode:

Startup while holding Command R.

Or just continuing to hold the power button, (If using a newer M1 model, then press Options).

You may have to unlock the startup volume, usually “Macintosh HD”, if so, first go to Disk Utility, if you see a Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD Data volume that are greyed out, select them, then on the top menu select File > Mount (Or unlock, if older OS) then enter your admin password. Then you can Quit Disk Utility and proceed.

On the top menu, select Utilities > Terminal.

Type in the Terminal window this command then press Return:

repairHomePermissions

Next, you may need to choose your user account, enter in the password to finish this process.

Once this is done, you can click Exit, then Reinstall Mac OS, as I believe it instructs you to now, when done, test it out!

I’d recommend keeping a full Time Machine backup before any of these steps are done, although I’ve personally never had trouble with data loss doing them, still a good idea.

Likewise, if that fails, you can use the same process for “Caches” to the “Preferences” folder, although I’d save that for last as you would lose all your current app preferences, but if you need to, can. (Again, keep a backup).

Likewise, if it’s just a setting or preference or permission causing it that you just can’t find, there’s always the option to create a new user and move your data to the new user account, it’s not as hard as it seems. You can also rebuild the user account if needed, but honestly I think the first few steps would be easier and best, if other options didn’t work out.

Typically the previous posted steps would work, as on your previous post. But as only happening in your used account, and also happening in safe mode, most likely ruling out other software or file system damage, this is what I’d do personally. Best of luck!

Make sure "Show scroll bars:" is set to "Always" in System Preferences > General.

Hello James,

Thanks for reaching out through the Apple Support Communities about that UI element not showing up at the bottom of the column scroll bars.

If you create a new user account, do you still experience the same behavior while logged into that account? Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac

That should help to further isolate this behavior to either a user-specific or a system-wide conflict.

Take care.

Good point, well if it’s a system issue, regardless of the user account, have you run First Aid on the startup volumes and disk?:

How to repair a Mac disk with Disk Utility:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210898

I would start by showing “All Disks” via the “View” menu, and run First Aid on the volumes first, (Macintosh, etc), then the Container, then the SSD/HDD//Fusion Drive, restart and test.

Worth a shot anyhow, and doesn’t take too long. If you call Apple up, they maybe able to investigate further with the resources the have.

There is no problem, it is how it is by design. Let me explain.

This depends on what you have selected in System Preferences->General, for scroll bars.

With the automatic setting, you can drag anywhere in the line separating columns to adjust, and there are no marks at the bottom.

Change to always if you want to always have the scroll bars, and the || at the bottom.

Hey again!

Yes safe boot disables third party software from loading, although typically if an issue only occurs in one user account, removing the login items from the problem account is a good step.

And yes, I agree a reinstall of the OS seems like a big step, typically for something only happening in one user account, it wouldn’t be recommended, however last I heard, it as the new process for resetting home folder permissions, there was official documentation I believe but I can’t find it anymore, so that may also change.

If you see this article:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/eclecticlight.co/2020/03/28/apple-has-changed-resetting-permissions-again/amp/

Notice the link to the official Apple site with those instructions, the page is now gone. And it very well may not be a permissions issue, but if so:

You could also, if you haven’t already apply privileges to the home folder:

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-permissions-for-files-folders-or-disks-mchlp1203/mac

Via Finder > Go > Home (Get Info) etc.

Then apply permissions then run the command like it used to be, (Although I’ve seen at times the option to apply permissions to the entire home folder is greyed our since Big Sur, why? Not sure).

I know you have some limitations as far as troubleshooting a work device, and hesitation as you should, any other insight welcome, but good luck let me know how it goes, I’ll be curious to know. 🙂

Beat me to it. :)

That last piece of information is very relevant.

@Jeff_W., this only happens in my primary account, not in other accounts. It does occur in that primary account under Safe Boot, however.

This tells us that there is a problem in your account. Since this is in Finder, and even occurs in Safe Mode, the most likely reason that I can think of is corrupted Finder preferences.

Press Command-Shift-G, and paste

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

Drag that file out of the Preferences folder (to the trash, or place it somewhere else if you prefer).

Relaunch the Finder: press Command-Option-Escape, locate Finder in the list and click Relaunch.

Any changes?