Unreadable file able to use for a few minutes before it forces me to close, makes me re-download it, cycle repeats.

"This document can no longer be used because its file has become unreadable, so it must be closed."


This has happened with many pdf files I try to use on my mac. I will be doing everything perfectly fine and then I get this error message and I am forced to "close the document". I then hover over the file on my desktop and there is a cloud icon next to the title that I have to click to re-download the pdf, and then I open it, and the cycle repeats. I used to only get the error after about 30 minutes, but now I am getting it within a few minutes and it is very annoying. This happens to me with many different files, including powerpoint files, pdfs, .mov files, etc. I wouldn't care too much about all of the other file types, but I purchase my textbooks in pdf version and it is very annoying to do homework while this constantly happens.


MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Jun 7, 2023 10:05 AM

Reply
1 reply

Jun 9, 2023 8:00 AM in response to Milekise

Hey Milekise,


Let's try this while you're under safe mode: How to use safe mode on your Mac


Also, test it out with a new test user account:


Add a user
1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Users & Groups  in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
2. Click the Add Account button below the list of users on the right (you may be asked to enter your password.)
3. Click the New Account pop-up menu, then choose a type of user.

* Administrator: An administrator can add and manage other users, install apps, and change settings. The new user you create when you first set up your Mac is an administrator. Your Mac can have multiple administrators. You can create new ones, and convert standard users to administrators. Don’t set up automatic login for an administrator. If you do, someone could simply restart your Mac and gain access with administrator privileges. To keep your Mac secure, don’t share administrator names and passwords.
* Standard: Standard users are set up by an administrator. Standard users can install apps and change their own settings, but can’t add other users or change other users’ settings.
* Sharing Only: Sharing-only users can access shared files remotely, but can’t log in to the computer or change settings. To give the user permission to access your shared files or screen, you may need to change options in File Sharing, Screen Sharing, or Remote Management settings. See Set up file sharing and Share the screen of another Mac.

4. For more information about the options for each type of user, click the Help button in the lower-left corner of the dialog.
5. Enter a full name for the new user. An account name is generated automatically. To use a different account name, enter it now—you can’t change it later.
6. Enter a password for the user, then enter it again to verify. Enter a password hint to help the user remember their password.
7. Click Create User.


Once these steps has been done, please let us know. This can really help us further isolate the issue.


Cheers!

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Unreadable file able to use for a few minutes before it forces me to close, makes me re-download it, cycle repeats.

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