Dock not creating plist file

Robert Meushaw wrote:

I typed ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock.plist into the Go To Folder box and the result was "The folder can't be found"

I navigated to the Preferences folder and there are no .plist items associated with the Dock.

Most unusual. Something is amiss here.

You could try a safe boot to clear cache files, reboot as normal and test.

I suspect re-installing the macOS on top of your existing macOS to sort anomalies :

How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

or restore from Backup prior to the issue—

Restore items backed up with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support  https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/restore-files-mh11422/mac

Robert Meushaw wrote:

I navigated to the Preferences folder and there are no .plist items associated with the Dock.

Very strange, or as leroydouglas says "...something is amiss..."

If the file really does not exist, then I'm wondering if there is a problem writing to the ~/Library/Preferences folder. If you cannot create files in Preferences that would explain what you are seeing, as if you cannot add a com.apple.dock.plist file, then the Dock cannot save your Dock changes.

Robert Meushaw wrote:

I am having difficulty with my Dock on Catalina. The Dock does not remember any changes to the Dock. I tried to delete the com.apple.dock.plist file but is isn't present in the Preferences folder. I have tried to reset the Dock using the terminal Killall Dock command but that doesn't work either.

I tried creating a new user account and the Dock seems to work okay in the new account. I think there is something screwy in my Home folder but I don't know what. I tried Recovery mode and resetting permissions for home folder - but no success there either.

I suspect the issue with Dock not creating a list file may be a clue to the issue.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what the problem might be and how to resolve?

Thanks.

Can you verify you are entering the complete path...(?)

If it is a corrupt plist...

From Finder>Go >Go to Folder, copy and paste:

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

delete this plist then reboot or in terminal copy and paste:

 killall Dock

Just type

~/Library/Preferences

That should open the folder, and you can look for com.apple.dock.plist

Or you can click on Finder -> Go -> HOLD the OPTION key -> Library, then double click on Preferences and look for com.apple.dock.plist

Robert Meushaw wrote:

I am looking in the correct folder and there is no plist file for the dock in the folder. I also tried the killall Dock command and that didn't do anything to create a list file or correct the operation of the Dock.

There are 3 Library folders...

I am trying to get you to verify you are in the correct Library, by copy & paste the complete path as presented above(?)

There is no sense in proceeding without this confirmation, help me out here.