All browsers are crashing on MacBook Pro Sonoma 14.5

Go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and paste this location in there and delete the file (don't forget the "~" character).

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SpeakSelection.plist

If is the com.apple.SpeakSelection.plist file that is giving you problems. I also suggest uninstalling all of the AntiVirus software you have installed. MalwareBytes is the only safe one, but still should not be running constantly on your computer. It is best used for the one time scan option when you actually have Malware. Other AntiVirus software, such as the MacKeeper is only going to give you problems.

Yep, you can delete the file and the system will create a new one when needed.

If you do not mind, could you drag the file to TextEdit and post the contents before you delete it. Normally this file is empty, but for some users there is something in there that causes the crash and I have been unable to identify what it is.

dhoyle77 wrote:

This weird event just started recently , but Safari, Edge, Chrome, and Firefox all crash. I have bought new virus software, bought malwarebytes, bought MacKeeper, and ran all of them ...nothing.

I even reinstalled the OS and still have the same issue.

Some websites work while others crash. However, Safari immediately crashes.

Please help!

Thanks,

Martin

Start over, from Scratch

Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions 

Disk Cleaner 

MacKeeper

Third Party Security Software 

By any Brand or Name

Would suggest  from this link Use Disk Utility to erase a Mac with Apple silicon. ⬅️

For Intel computer➡️ Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac followed by How to reinstall macOS

Thereafter to start from scratch and install all Required Applications directly from the Apple Apps Store or Directly from the Developer.

If going this route - I suggest Not using Startup Assist to migrate things back as this will probably Re-Introduce the existing  issue at the time TM Backup was made 

Go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and paste this location in there and delete the file (don't forget the "~" character).

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SpeakSelection.plist

Thank you kind Sir!!

I spent many hours with Apple tech support (they were great) however, You sir, topped them all!!

All my browsers were crashing before I could see anything. I did all the suggested things and told to endure until next week (07/09/2024. When they will call me back and take copies of log files etc...! I thank God for finding you!

Your suggestion and directions allowed me to correct the situation completely!! Again thank you kind Sir!!

Remember: The Truth Shall Make (not set) You Free!!

Thanks for this. It worked on my 13in 2020 MacBook Pro w/ 2.3 Ghz Core i7 running Sonoma 14.5 after Safari, Firefox, and Chrome started crashing when accessing certain websites, then eventually crashing upon opening. I had a little problem finding the hidden file, then meticulously followed the directions provided using the Finder >Go >Go to Folder shortcuts (for others, look up in the Finder menu bar, not in the Finder popup window). BTW, before I deleted the SpeakSelection.plist file, someone had recommended I try changing the settings in the Apple System Setting for Accessibility. Made sense since my multiple Safari crash reports included a note indicating "Crash Thread: 0 Dispatch queue: create-voices-avspeech". That may be a clue for others. When I tried that, any setting under Accessibility I tried to check gave me an error popup. After I did deleted the SpeakSelection.plist file, after checking Safari functionality (which did not require a restart), all the Accessibility settings were restored, visible, and adjustable. I have no idea what I may have done to trigger the crash-fest, although I do use CleanMyMac v. 4.15.4 with active threat monitoring. Thanks again, hope this added detail helps others with trouble shooting.

popeye2513 wrote:

Thank you kind Sir!!

Glad I was able to help.

Jim, Bless you sir! I was going crazy trying to sort out why this was happening. Your fix worked!

Thank you. Deleting that file solved the problem. Cheers,

Jens

I had the exact same problem - all browsers were crashing - and your fix worked perfectly. Thanks so much!

Thank you Mac Jim ! Problem fixed

Anytime!

This works for me - and is consistent with the crash trace apple kept emitting - the crash was in the Safari main thread, calling into some text/speech thing.

I have a copy of the .plist file. It is a binary file, and not readable by me.

Any thoughts?

dhoyle77 wrote:

Yeah I already did but it was empty.

can’t thank you enough !!!

No Problem, have a great day.