finder not working inside apps - eg. when selecting a file to upload to any application.

By, "finder window inside any application," do you mean the open/save dialog? That kind of looks like the Finder, but it isn't. It is the way to access the file system through the app, though.

Try booting into Safe Mode and see if you see the same problem. It's not meant to be used full time, but if the problem is not apparent in Safe Mode, then it is likely some other software conflict.

If it doesn't happen in Safe Mode, run Etrecheck and post the report to the Additional text area in a reply, here (document icon).

In Etrecheck, click on Share Report > Copy Report then paste into the Additional Text window.

Hi, I don't know if this is going to be helpful, but experiencing the same issue I plugged in a standard mouse and it made no difference so reconnected my Magic Mouse. I then went to the bottom right hand corner of the window that was unresponsive and opened it up larger and suddenly the mouse was active with everything on the screen. I was amazed and delighted to be able to select the folder and then the files that I wanted. I hope this works for you.

Download and run this app so we can find more information about your installation.

https://etrecheck.com/upgrade

It shows what is launched and other information and is very useful in finding causes of problems. After you first launch the app make sure you check Enable full disk access in the box in lower left.

After running the app use the app's feature to paste to clipboard. The in the text box for a reply in this forum click on the addition text icon. This is because the normal reply text box limits how much you can type.

No personal identifiable information is contained if the app output. The app was written for a person who is contributor to these Apple Support Communities

I have exactly the same issue as vmontezuma hence my searching for a solution. Even signing into this forum I had to use the keyboard enter key as the mouse cursor is inactive when you are in a window that requires a selection. I am running a MacMini with the M1 chip and Big Sur so it appears not to be a Monterey issue but rather a M1 issue. If there is only one thing to respond to you can use the enter key on the keyboard but if there are multiple selections from the window you are completely stuck.

Some applications are very specific about the files they will show for selection, as that is the file type that they can open. All other unsupported filetypes are unselectable, grayed-out icons, telling you that the application cannot open them. You get this looking at a folder of PDFs from the Pages file chooser, or a folder of SVG files when using Preview.

Experiencing the exact same thing here. Just got my m1 pro Macbook 14", seems like a common issue for m1. Can anyone share if they got this fix?

I've got an M1 Mini and I can't manage to make it happen.

Any unique things you might have installed or input devices?

I have the same thing on my Pro. I don't think it's an M1 issue, seems like a Monterey problem. I only have a select group of files to work with and end up saving everything on my desktop so that I can upload...

It's not that uncommon. I have the exact same problem. I have an Intel processor and had the same problem on Big Sur. The problem was so bad on Big Sur that I reverted to Catalina. I decided to upgrade to Monterey at the end of December 2021. I thought everything was OK, but I just started having the same problem on Monterey today.

I have a mackbook Pro with Apple mouse and Apple magic keyboard.

and that it's some weird sort of conflict

Your problem is so weird neither of us have heard of anything like it. Odds are it is some weird conflict with something you have installed.

Experiencing the exact same thing here. Just got my m1 pro Macbook 14", seems like a common issue for m1. Can anyone share if they got this fix?

I'm using Dell 6000 docking station. Not sure if it's related.

Thanks. This trick worked for me when I just tried it. Hopefully it continues to work.