Cannot change some System Settings

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

John Mather wrote:

I have no idea what triggered this. I first noticed it when Bartender updated and asked me give it Accessibility in settings. The setting was already on. I tried to turn it off but it went right back to "on". I doubt Bartender was is the problem since after this happened I found I could not change several other settings. I did some research and gave restarting in Recovery Mode. I then checked the startup disk. It showed no problems. And the problem persisted on restart.

Then today when I updated Kensington Works after Restart it asked me to give it permissions. Settings asked me for my Admin PW. It accepted it but nothing changed at all.

But.. the plot thickened. I now got a Crash Dialog (I sent it to Apple) and then showed me this error dialog "com.apple.extensionKit.errorDomain error 15"

A lot of folks have mentioned this error over the past few years. There is a solution suggested that worked for some folks but it involves Terminal. Since my circumstances seem different I reluctant.

I was OK when I thought this was limited but it is not. I plan to get an M1 plan soon and worry that this could either screw up migration or persist on the new machine.

Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017

? not sure what is your issue as presented.... all third party apps? Maybe you can clarify the exact issue.

old issue, new issue, what changed beyond your third party apps?

What macOS?

see—

>System Settings>Privacy & Security> add to Full DIsk Access if necessary

Controlling app access to files in macOS