Upgraded to Ventura 13.3.1, now I cannot download documents or save files

Hi all! Last week, I upgraded to Ventura 13.3.1. Now, I cannot save new files to my MacBook. I have tested creating and saving files through Visual Studio Code, Microsoft Word and I can neither download documents from Google Chrome (simple PDF documents from my college's LMS). Downloading did however work in Safari, but I am not allowed to rename or "save as" after getting the file down to the downloads folder. I am also unable to save attachments from Microsoft Outlook.


In all the mentioned situations, clicking a download button or save button leads to the loading spinner, and then nothing. No dialogue windows, no error messages, no file changes or downloads visible in either the download history in Chrome or the downloads folder. The files I create is still visible in the editor they're made in, but no saving process is initiated.


Any ideas or suggestions as to how I can be allowed to save files to my MacBook again?


Best, Marius

Posted on Apr 24, 2023 6:30 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 25, 2023 5:47 PM

Hi Toremake,


Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. We understand you're having trouble saving files since updating macOS. We recommend testing to see if the issue occurs when you boot in safe mode. This can help isolate the issue. If the issue doesn't occur in safe mode, then it's likely that 3rd party software is causing an issue. Here's how to boot in safe mode: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support.


"Safe mode can help you to determine whether an issue is caused by software that loads as your Mac starts up.


Safe mode prevents your Mac from loading certain software as it starts up, including login items, system extensions not required by macOS, and fonts not installed by macOS. It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using First Aid in Disk Utility. And it deletes some system caches, including font caches and the kernel cache, which are automatically created again as needed.

Safe mode is particularly useful when you're trying to resolve an issue that doesn't seem to be associated with using any particular app. As always, keeping your software up to date is the first step toward resolving any software issue.


How to use safe mode

Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:

Apple silicon

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
  3. Select your startup disk, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”
  4. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.

Intel processor

  1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
  2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac. 
  3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window.

If the issue continues in safe mode

If the issue continues while in safe mode, or your Mac restarts several times and then shuts down while starting up in safe mode, you should reinstall macOS and make sure that your Apple software and third-party apps are up to date.


If the issue doesn't continue in safe mode

If the issue doesn't continue while in safe mode, leave safe mode by restarting your Mac normally. Then test for the issue again. The issue might be resolved.

If the issue returns after leaving safe mode, startup items are probably at fault. Apps can install such items in numerous places, and they aren't always easy to find or recognize. For that reason, you should first make sure that you've installed any available updates for your Apple software and third-party apps.

If updating your software doesn't help, try any of these solutions:

  • Test your login items.
  • To learn whether software in your user account is causing the issue, set up a new user account, then log in to it and try to reproduce the issue in that account.
  • Unplug all accessories from your Mac, including printers, drives, USB hubs, and other nonessential devices. You could have an issue with one or more of those devices or their cables.
  • Reinstall macOS.

If you still need help, please contact Apple Support."


Take care.


Similar questions

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 25, 2023 5:47 PM in response to Toremake

Hi Toremake,


Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. We understand you're having trouble saving files since updating macOS. We recommend testing to see if the issue occurs when you boot in safe mode. This can help isolate the issue. If the issue doesn't occur in safe mode, then it's likely that 3rd party software is causing an issue. Here's how to boot in safe mode: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support.


"Safe mode can help you to determine whether an issue is caused by software that loads as your Mac starts up.


Safe mode prevents your Mac from loading certain software as it starts up, including login items, system extensions not required by macOS, and fonts not installed by macOS. It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using First Aid in Disk Utility. And it deletes some system caches, including font caches and the kernel cache, which are automatically created again as needed.

Safe mode is particularly useful when you're trying to resolve an issue that doesn't seem to be associated with using any particular app. As always, keeping your software up to date is the first step toward resolving any software issue.


How to use safe mode

Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:

Apple silicon

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
  3. Select your startup disk, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”
  4. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.

Intel processor

  1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
  2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac. 
  3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window.

If the issue continues in safe mode

If the issue continues while in safe mode, or your Mac restarts several times and then shuts down while starting up in safe mode, you should reinstall macOS and make sure that your Apple software and third-party apps are up to date.


If the issue doesn't continue in safe mode

If the issue doesn't continue while in safe mode, leave safe mode by restarting your Mac normally. Then test for the issue again. The issue might be resolved.

If the issue returns after leaving safe mode, startup items are probably at fault. Apps can install such items in numerous places, and they aren't always easy to find or recognize. For that reason, you should first make sure that you've installed any available updates for your Apple software and third-party apps.

If updating your software doesn't help, try any of these solutions:

  • Test your login items.
  • To learn whether software in your user account is causing the issue, set up a new user account, then log in to it and try to reproduce the issue in that account.
  • Unplug all accessories from your Mac, including printers, drives, USB hubs, and other nonessential devices. You could have an issue with one or more of those devices or their cables.
  • Reinstall macOS.

If you still need help, please contact Apple Support."


Take care.


Apr 26, 2023 12:15 AM in response to Jeff_888

Thank you for your reply, Jeff_888.


I did go through safe boot before seeing this post, but no help came from it. Running first aid from disk util did nothing either. I have however seemed to have resolved the issue now. After finding a similar issue discussed with MacOS 10.1, the suggestion to check user permissions in the home folder showed that every user (including system) was limited to read-permissions. After giving proper permissions I was able to save files again (although the process is taking ages in certain cases (not been able to determine a pattern for when yet), and the loading spinner pops up before and after displaying saving dialogue window).

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Upgraded to Ventura 13.3.1, now I cannot download documents or save files

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