User profile for user: mfein
mfein Author
User level: Level 1
36 points

Spotlight Crash Report - macOS 14.4 MacBook M2 Pro 16GB

Invoking Spotlight causes a hang and crash. Excerpt from report:

Crashed Thread: 9 Dispatch queue: com.apple.metadata.spotlightindex.Volume Query scheduler for index at (null)


Exception Type: EXC_BAD_ACCESS (SIGSEGV)

Exception Codes: KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS at 0x0000000000000068

Exception Codes: 0x0000000000000001, 0x0000000000000068


Termination Reason: Namespace SIGNAL, Code 11 Segmentation fault: 11

Terminating Process: exc handler [7744]


I tried to erase Spotlight's Index Database (.Spotlight-V100) using a previous help instruction but running the command in Terminal I received an error, could not edit. I have Admin rights.


Detail of crashed thread:

Thread 9 Crashed:: Dispatch queue: com.apple.metadata.spotlightindex.Volume Query scheduler for index at (null)

0 SpotlightIndex 0x19b23053c compare_fs_factor + 152

1 SpotlightIndex 0x19b182cc8 db_eval_obj_with_options + 1148

2 SpotlightIndex 0x19b30fb88 SISearchCtx::isObjectInQuery(CatInfoGotten*, query_node*, int) + 120

3 SpotlightIndex 0x19b332ae4 sfsi_callback(FSI*, FSIENT*, void*, int, void const*) + 1412

4 SpotlightIndex 0x19b3881f0 hybridSearch + 1064

5 SpotlightIndex 0x19b386b7c fsi_iterate_f + 2052

6 SpotlightIndex 0x19b3300a8 SISearchCtx_FSI::performSearch(PartialQueryResults*) + 1748

7 SpotlightIndex 0x19b137c04 executeSearchContextCracked_2(SISearchCtx*, search_ctx_s*) + 1076

8 SpotlightIndex 0x19b30d7d4 executeSearchCtx2(search_ctx_s*, unsigned char) + 320

9 SpotlightIndex 0x19b239154 volume_runLoop + 148

10 SpotlightIndex 0x19b10d750 work_fun + 816

11 libdispatch.dylib 0x181961470 _dispatch_block_async_invoke2 + 148

12 libdispatch.dylib 0x1819523e8 _dispatch_client_callout + 20

13 libdispatch.dylib 0x1819558ec _dispatch_continuation_pop + 600

14 libdispatch.dylib 0x181954f08 _dispatch_async_redirect_invoke + 584

15 libdispatch.dylib 0x181963ea8 _dispatch_root_queue_drain + 392

16 libdispatch.dylib 0x1819646b8 _dispatch_worker_thread2 + 156

17 libsystem_pthread.dylib 0x181afefd0 _pthread_wqthread + 228

18 libsystem_pthread.dylib 0x181afdd28 start_wqthread + 8

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.4

Posted on Mar 19, 2024 5:53 AM

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User profile for user: The_Knowledge_Seeker
The_Knowledge_Seeker
User level: Level 4
3,728 points

Posted on Mar 20, 2024 3:39 AM

The error message you provided indicates a problem with Spotlight's indexing process. It seems like deleting the Spotlight Index Database (.Spotlight-V100) didn't work as expected. Here are a couple of approaches you can try to fix the issue:


1. Rebuild the Spotlight Index:

Rebuilding the index can often resolve issues caused by corruption within the database. Here's how to do it:

  • Open Terminal (located in Applications > Utilities).
  • Type the following command exactly and press Enter:
sudo mdutil -E /
(sudo<space>mdutil<space><dash>E<space><forward slash>)
  • Enter your administrator password when prompted.
  • This command will completely erase the existing Spotlight index and start building a new one from scratch. This process may take some time depending on the amount of data on your Mac.


2. Reset Spotlight Privacy Settings:

Sometimes, privacy restrictions on certain folders can lead to indexing problems. You can try resetting these settings:

  • Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
  • Click on the Privacy tab.
  • Select Spotlight from the list on the left.
  • Click the + button and add your entire hard drive or specific folders you want Spotlight to index.
  • Click the - button to remove any folders you don't want indexed.


3. Check for Disk Errors:

Disk errors can also cause problems with Spotlight. You can use the built-in Disk Utility app to check and repair any potential errors:

  • Open Disk Utility (located in Applications > Utilities).
  • Select your main hard drive from the sidebar.
  • Click on the First Aid tab.
  • Click on Run First Aid.


4. Safe Mode Boot:

If the above solutions don't work, try booting your Mac in Safe Mode. This can help identify and resolve software conflicts that might be causing the Spotlight crash.

  • To boot in Safe Mode, hold down the Shift key while restarting your Mac.
  • Once booted, open Terminal and try deleting the Spotlight Index Database again using the sudo rm -rf /System/Volumes/Data/.Spotlight-V100/ command (caution: use this command only if you're sure and have a backup).
  • Restart your Mac normally after performing these steps in Safe Mode.


Important Note: Be cautious when deleting the Spotlight Index Database. Make sure you have a backup of your data before proceeding. It's also recommended to consult Apple's official documentation for detailed instructions on troubleshooting Spotlight issues specific to your macOS version macOS - Official Apple Support.


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User profile for user: The_Knowledge_Seeker
The_Knowledge_Seeker
User level: Level 4
3,728 points

Mar 20, 2024 3:39 AM in response to mfein

The error message you provided indicates a problem with Spotlight's indexing process. It seems like deleting the Spotlight Index Database (.Spotlight-V100) didn't work as expected. Here are a couple of approaches you can try to fix the issue:


1. Rebuild the Spotlight Index:

Rebuilding the index can often resolve issues caused by corruption within the database. Here's how to do it:

  • Open Terminal (located in Applications > Utilities).
  • Type the following command exactly and press Enter:
sudo mdutil -E /
(sudo<space>mdutil<space><dash>E<space><forward slash>)
  • Enter your administrator password when prompted.
  • This command will completely erase the existing Spotlight index and start building a new one from scratch. This process may take some time depending on the amount of data on your Mac.


2. Reset Spotlight Privacy Settings:

Sometimes, privacy restrictions on certain folders can lead to indexing problems. You can try resetting these settings:

  • Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
  • Click on the Privacy tab.
  • Select Spotlight from the list on the left.
  • Click the + button and add your entire hard drive or specific folders you want Spotlight to index.
  • Click the - button to remove any folders you don't want indexed.


3. Check for Disk Errors:

Disk errors can also cause problems with Spotlight. You can use the built-in Disk Utility app to check and repair any potential errors:

  • Open Disk Utility (located in Applications > Utilities).
  • Select your main hard drive from the sidebar.
  • Click on the First Aid tab.
  • Click on Run First Aid.


4. Safe Mode Boot:

If the above solutions don't work, try booting your Mac in Safe Mode. This can help identify and resolve software conflicts that might be causing the Spotlight crash.

  • To boot in Safe Mode, hold down the Shift key while restarting your Mac.
  • Once booted, open Terminal and try deleting the Spotlight Index Database again using the sudo rm -rf /System/Volumes/Data/.Spotlight-V100/ command (caution: use this command only if you're sure and have a backup).
  • Restart your Mac normally after performing these steps in Safe Mode.


Important Note: Be cautious when deleting the Spotlight Index Database. Make sure you have a backup of your data before proceeding. It's also recommended to consult Apple's official documentation for detailed instructions on troubleshooting Spotlight issues specific to your macOS version macOS - Official Apple Support.


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User profile for user: mfein
mfein Author
User level: Level 1
36 points

Mar 22, 2024 9:04 AM in response to mfein

Just wanted to report back that yesterday the Apple Tech and I agreed that a re-image and restore would be the best option. We did that and it fixed the Spotlight issue (whatever it was). One of my back-ups is a G-Drive SSD and I would encourage everyone (especially new to Macs) to regularly use the Time Machine service. It was very convenient to use the Apple Store service to re-image my Mac and then restore my files and apps from my back-up SSD. A lot easier than using my ISP and downloading those OS images.

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User profile for user: mfein
mfein Author
User level: Level 1
36 points

Mar 20, 2024 12:03 PM in response to The_Knowledge_Seeker

Thank you very much for your response. It gave me some actions I can take. I have already tried rebuilding the Spotlight Index through the Terminal and I have also checked whether the drive needs First Aid. But I will try and use your other suggestions. Tomorrow I have an appointment with Apple Support locally. I do have daily updates to two different drives, one of which is a portable G-Drive SSD. What I probably want Apple to do is re-image my HD and start a rebuild. I've had this problem since I first purchased the laptop and noticed that the Recent Folder acted strange and never showed any files.

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Spotlight Crash Report - macOS 14.4 MacBook M2 Pro 16GB

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