Late 2014 Mac Mini with masOS Monterey 12.7.3 has been failing to open Apps correctly. When clicking on an icon on the menu bar or from the Launchpad, it only open the Applications folder and doesn't open the App that was clicked on, like Safari or anything else.
Is there a problem with the latest macOS Monterey version and Mac Mini Late 2014?
The latest macOS Monterey version is good.
This sounds like a problem with the Mac mini or some third-party software.
1) Try a simple Restart and test to see if that helps.
2) If not, Startup in Safe Mode followed by a normal restart and test.
see > Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support
3) If Safe Mode doesn't fix the problem, run the Apple Diagnostics Test.
see > Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support
4) If it does not pass the Apple Diagnostics Test, take the Mac mini to your local AASP.
go to > Find Locations select Explore Service Locations to find an AASP.
5) If it passes the Diagnostics Test, get and run EtreCheckPro on the Mac mini, then post that Report.
see > Using EtreCheck to Troubleshoot Potential… - Apple Community
The latest macOS Monterey version is good.
This sounds like a problem with the Mac mini or some third-party software.
1) Try a simple Restart and test to see if that helps.
2) If not, Startup in Safe Mode followed by a normal restart and test.
see > Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support
3) If Safe Mode doesn't fix the problem, run the Apple Diagnostics Test.
see > Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support
4) If it does not pass the Apple Diagnostics Test, take the Mac mini to your local AASP.
go to > Find Locations select Explore Service Locations to find an AASP.
5) If it passes the Diagnostics Test, get and run EtreCheckPro on the Mac mini, then post that Report.
see > Using EtreCheck to Troubleshoot Potential… - Apple Community
You're welcome.
Uninstall McAfee as per the developers direction.
https://www.mcafee.com/support/?articleId=TS101226&page=shell&shell=article-view
Startup in Safe Mode followed by a normal Restart.
Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support
Run EtreCheckPro and post the Report.
nickkeep wrote:
Thanks, yes, I use an Apple usb keyboard is being used, but no matter the timing, safe mode or diagnostics fail to engage.
Press the power button, then press and hold the Shift key the whole time the Mac mini is starting up.
Have done some housekeeping and full antivirus and security scans, but no change, the apps fail to open after the machine is idle for several minutes.
What third-party anti-virus and security app's are running? Those can cause all sorts of problems.
At the moment, a replacement is not an option unfortunately.
Get and run EtreCheckPro and post back with that report so that we can look for potential problems.
Using EtreCheck to Troubleshoot Potential… - Apple Community
Definitely the old Apple KB, using a new-ish Microsoft KB, I get straight into safe mode and all looks a lot better.
Diagnostics from EtreCheck show that Major issue is auto-updates and security updates are disable, which I did deliberately in safe mode, but re enabled them now. Nothing else apart form identifying that the machine in in Safe mode.
Minor issue are the residue of Avast antivirus is running in the background, this was installed when I first got the mac mini, but replaced with McAfee. This has now been cleaned and no longer exists.
USB stuff
It has also picked up the Microsoft keyboard, which appear to be OK, along with the wireless Logitec trackball mouse I use. Also my old Thunderbolt screen
Network all looks fine.
System
macOS Monterey 12.7.4 (just updated)
Safe Mode Enabled.
HDD/Fusion = 60% used
Physical RAM = 8GB
RAM used = 2.6GB
Available = 5.4GM
CPU Usage Snapshot
System = 6%
User = 3%
Idle = 91%
Snapshot of the Apps installed and when show all that I use, plus a couple of old Apps I no longer need, so will remove those.
System and User Launch Daemons and Agents have no major issues, only a couple of disabled objects from those obsolete apps, now cleared.
The sys libs look ok as well, no issues.
In short, since changing the keyboard and clearing a couple of the obsolete things seem to be functioning very well.
Thanks for all you help, I think I can sort everything else from here.
May I say that, as a semi-retired Lead Systems Engineer, I very much appreciate the time and trouble people have gone to when someone calls for help!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks
No luck using the USB Apple keyboard, but swapped it out with an old MS wired keyboard and a couple of wireless ones... looks like it is the Apple USB wired keyboard that may be the issue... it would type in the password when logging in, but swapped it and logged in ok.
macOS is updating atm, so will try again with a different wired KB and see what happens.
Mouse (Logi rollerball) is good and swapped out with about 5 others, wired and wireless and these are all ok.
Tested getting into sate boot with a couple of KBs and conclusion I need a new Apple KB :-)
So, can you not download & run etrecheckon that Mac?
Do Mouse & KB work at all?
Hi - thanks this is all good and helpful info, but unfortunately the Mac Mini is not going into safe mode or diagnostics; tried all the options in the links you sent, but nothing is taking the machine into safe or diagnostics mode... I get presented with the normal login screen only.
I thought the problem had gone away after a reboot, as all applications started opening correctly, but after less than 10 minutes of being idle, the apps closed and the Application folder appeared... very strange...
Sending this from an old Win10 laptop.
Try using the special startup keys while using a wired USB keyboard since a wireless keyboard may not go ready soon enough for those keys to be recognized. You have only a second or two to press & hold the keys. Press & hold the startup keys immediately after hearing the startup chime. Holding them before the startup chime can cause them to be ignored sometimes....varies by Macs for some reason.
Thanks, yes, I use an Apple usb keyboard is being used, but no matter the timing, safe mode or diagnostics fail to engage.
Have done some housekeeping and full antivirus and security scans, but no change, the apps fail to open after the machine is idle for several minutes.
At the moment, a replacement is not an option unfortunately.
Hi den.thed
I use McAfee LiveSafe on all our machines Win PCs & Macs, which I’ve used for years without any problems to date.
I will get a chance to download and try EtreCheckPro later today (I’m UK based).
thanks
I’d get a cheap USB KB & Mouse...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B7GV802?
Windows Win key = Mac CMD key or ⌘
Windows alt key = Mac Option key or ⌥, also called alt key on Mac sometimes.
I'm having software problems in my MacBoo… - Apple Community
You're welcome.
HWTech is spot on, you need to use a USB keyboard for the startup commands.
(most Generic, Logitech or PC USB keyboards will work with your Mac mini)
Good work my friend, take care! :)
👍 You're welcome.
Late 2014 Mac Mini not opening Apps correctly
