FILES WILL NOT UPLOAD OR DOWNLOAD UNLESS PROGRAM IS RESTARTED | MacBook Air M1 Chip

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FILES WILL NOT UPLOAD OR DOWNLOAD UNLESS PROGRAM IS RESTARTED | MacBook Air M1 Chip

Ever since I bought this laptop it has given me the issue of not being able to attach or download files unless I completely exit, shut down and restart the application I'm using (i.e., Chrome, my email platform Front, etc.).

ATTACHING FILES: I click the button that should open the Finder window to upload files and nothing will happen until I do the whole shut-down-and-reopen process.

DOWNLOADING FILES: I click the download button that should automatically start the download and nothing will happen. The Chrome icon will then have a "1" (or however many files I'm trying to download) in the top left corner of the icon, with an unfinished circle around it (indicating that a download is trying, but won't complete).

This has become mind-numbingly infuriating, as my job requires this functionality multiple times a day. I'm having to close down my applications at least 3-4 times a day now and I am losing my mind.

My software is all up to date and I've gone into the Settings to allow Google Chrome and Front (my email app) to have access to my files (this was a resolution I saw previously on this forum), but this has not remedied the issue. I've cleared my cache, cookies (all the common sense fixes).

Is this happening to anyone else with this laptop model in particular? Any insight is welcome!

Posted on Mar 9, 2023 1:50 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Community+ 2026

Level 9

70,856 points

Mar 23, 2023 4:45 PM in response to mackenzie171

To help us get a better idea of your system setup, run the third party app EtreCheck and post the report here using the "Additional Text" icon which looks like a piece of paper.

Try booting into Safe Mode which will prevent third party software from launching automatically during boot & login. It will take longer to boot. See if you have the same issue in Safe Mode. If any of your apps or online resources require macOS drivers, then they will be inoperative in this mode. However, if Safe Mode works, then it means you most likely have an issue with some third party software interfering with things.

Create a new macOS user account. Log out of the current macOS user account. Log into the new macOS user account to see whether things are working as expected. If another user account works, then we know the issue is only within the main user account which will help narrow down the search.

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Answer 2

Mar 11, 2023 4:22 PM in response to mackenzie171

Was this a new or used laptop?

If a used laptop, did you perform a clean install of macOS by first erasing the drive followed by installing macOS? If not, then you have inherited problems left behind by the previous owner.

If this laptop is new, did you purchase it through a school or employer? If so, then the laptop may be managed by the school or employer which may have put restrictions on this laptop.

If this laptop is new, the It sounds like you may need to grant those apps permission to access those folders. Normally the first time you attempt to access a location, macOS will have a pop-up notification asking if it is Ok for the app to access that location. If you decline, then you will not be notified again, so you will need to manually configure the macOS "Security & Privacy" settings to allow for the app to access that folder or drive.

Where are you trying to download the files? Where are the files located you are trying to upload? Anywhere outside of the "/Users" folder is restricted and won't allow write access and may even restrict read access under some circumstances.

Are you running any anti-virus apps, or cleaning/optimizer apps, or third party security software? If so, uninstall them by following the developer's instructions since these types of apps are not needed on a Mac. These types of apps usually cause more problems than they solve because they interfere with the normal operation of macOS.

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Answer 3

mackenzie171 Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 22, 2023 12:41 PM in response to HWTech

Hey HWTech,

Thanks so much for the response!

New laptop bought in person, not managed by anyone but me. No anti-virus apps, or cleaning/optimizer apps, or third party security software installed.

I've gone into the Settings to allow Google Chrome and Front (my email app) to have access to my files (this was a resolution I saw previously on this forum), but this has not remedied the issue. Google Chrome and Front (the apps that give me this issue the most) have Full Disk Access. I think it's all done correctly?

In response to: "Where are you trying to download the files? Where are the files located you are trying to upload? Anywhere outside of the "/Users" folder is restricted and won't allow write access and may even restrict read access under some circumstances."

I'm just downloading any files into my Downloads folder or Desktop folder. I'm uploading them usually from these same places. Nothing crazy! I’m not sure what you mean by "/Users" folder. Are you able to kindly elaborate to a noob?

Thanks so much again for your insight!

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FILES WILL NOT UPLOAD OR DOWNLOAD UNLESS PROGRAM IS RESTARTED | MacBook Air M1 Chip

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