Attempts to add a contact creates a blank No Name card

I am currently running macOS Monterey on iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017). However, I have had this problem for YEARS and can't figure out what is happening. When I add a Contact, I click on the + and select "New Contact." The blank contact card appears as you would expect. Next, I start filling in the First name, last name, etc. Typically as soon as I enter the "FirstName," the card vanishes. No matter how many times I try. Every time the card vanishes, I can look at the contact list, and there will be a blank card titled "No Name" once every time I attempt to add a contact. I can also click on the +, select New Contact, and then do nothing on the new contact card template. In about 7-8 seconds, the Contact Card will vanish, and there will be a new blank contact card listed as "No Name." It appears the only way I can successfully add further contact is to let the system add the "No Name" card, then right-click the card and select "Edit." Then and only then can I fill in the information and save the card.


I have searched numerous times and have never found a cause or solution for this issue. Although, as I mentioned before, I have had this problem for years on multiple Macintosh computers, desktops, laptops, it doesn't seem to matter.


Any suggestions or possible solutions would be greatly appreciated.

iMac 27″ 5K, 12.1

Posted on Jan 11, 2022 11:02 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 12, 2022 8:41 AM

markn4254 wrote:

I am currently running macOS Monterey on iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017). However, I have had this problem for YEARS and can't figure out what is happening. When I add a Contact, I click on the + and select "New Contact." The blank contact card appears as you would expect. Next, I start filling in the First name, last name, etc. Typically as soon as I enter the "FirstName," the card vanishes. No matter how many times I try. Every time the card vanishes, I can look at the contact list, and there will be a blank card titled "No Name" once every time I attempt to add a contact. I can also click on the +, select New Contact, and then do nothing on the new contact card template. In about 7-8 seconds, the Contact Card will vanish, and there will be a new blank contact card listed as "No Name." It appears the only way I can successfully add further contact is to let the system add the "No Name" card, then right-click the card and select "Edit." Then and only then can I fill in the information and save the card.

I have searched numerous times and have never found a cause or solution for this issue. Although, as I mentioned before, I have had this problem for years on multiple Macintosh computers, desktops, laptops, it doesn't seem to matter.

Any suggestions or possible solutions would be greatly appreciated.


To trouble shoot further you can:


—Try a SafeBoot https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262



Takes noticeable longer to get to the login screen, does a 5 minute disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, including dynamic loader cache, etc.

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test. Caches get rebuilt automatically.


In Safe mode third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled, it removes malware, etc hampering smooth operation, however a reboot will put it back to normal mode.


This test will tell you if third party interference; extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.



—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-other-users-on-your-mac-mtusr001/mac

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 



Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS



If no insight or resolve you can always reinstall 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


8 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 12, 2022 8:41 AM in response to markn4254

markn4254 wrote:

I am currently running macOS Monterey on iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017). However, I have had this problem for YEARS and can't figure out what is happening. When I add a Contact, I click on the + and select "New Contact." The blank contact card appears as you would expect. Next, I start filling in the First name, last name, etc. Typically as soon as I enter the "FirstName," the card vanishes. No matter how many times I try. Every time the card vanishes, I can look at the contact list, and there will be a blank card titled "No Name" once every time I attempt to add a contact. I can also click on the +, select New Contact, and then do nothing on the new contact card template. In about 7-8 seconds, the Contact Card will vanish, and there will be a new blank contact card listed as "No Name." It appears the only way I can successfully add further contact is to let the system add the "No Name" card, then right-click the card and select "Edit." Then and only then can I fill in the information and save the card.

I have searched numerous times and have never found a cause or solution for this issue. Although, as I mentioned before, I have had this problem for years on multiple Macintosh computers, desktops, laptops, it doesn't seem to matter.

Any suggestions or possible solutions would be greatly appreciated.


To trouble shoot further you can:


—Try a SafeBoot https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262



Takes noticeable longer to get to the login screen, does a 5 minute disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, including dynamic loader cache, etc.

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test. Caches get rebuilt automatically.


In Safe mode third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled, it removes malware, etc hampering smooth operation, however a reboot will put it back to normal mode.


This test will tell you if third party interference; extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.



—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-other-users-on-your-mac-mtusr001/mac

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 



Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS



If no insight or resolve you can always reinstall 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


Jan 13, 2022 7:49 AM in response to markn4254

Is the Contacts Application associated Only with iCloud ?


Is the Contacts Application associated with a Third Party sync service ?


Some have reported the new contact being added if a third party sync is in play - untick the Sync for Contacts long enough to make the new contact and then enable the sync process has shown some success.

Feb 7, 2022 4:57 PM in response to markn4254

markn4254 wrote:

I have searched numerous times and have never found a cause or solution for this issue. Although, as I mentioned before, I have had this problem for years on multiple Macintosh computers, desktops, laptops, it doesn't seem to matter.

Any suggestions or possible solutions would be greatly appreciated.


To be honest I never heard of this issue before. On multiple machines over multiple macOS...(?) seem odd.


You can ask to escalate this up the chain of command beyond the front line.

contact Apple Support:

Call Customer Support  (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

or on line  https://getsupport.apple.com/



I f you have followed through with all the trouble shooting steps above, and no insight or resolve

I would advise using this same link submit a bug report: http://www.apple.com/feedback 

Feb 7, 2022 3:46 PM in response to markn4254

I have tried all those things, and they don't seem to get anyone closer to a solution. I have duplicated this on new Macs, old Macs, Macbook Pro's, multiple versions, and releases of the OS. I have gone through all these extensive troubleshooting steps, and none of it helps. The problems happen in safe mode as well. So I have learned to live with it. Since it does it every time, I have just learned to let it happen, scroll down to the blank contact created, edit it, and save the contact.

Jan 13, 2022 5:09 AM in response to leroydouglas

I will try these suggestions. I did forget to mention that I have had this problem on multiple iMacs and two Macbook Pro's One is a 2010 and the other is 2017. Additionally, I don't have these third-party applications other than the Cisco VPN that is on one of the computers. It would be pretty disappointing if macOS can run third-party applications without its own applications misbehaving. I know these are all troubleshooting steps which I will try.


Thanks for the feedback. I am hoping some other person will who has experienced this behavior will have some input as well.

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Attempts to add a contact creates a blank No Name card

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