Finder not refreshing, hangs and requires restart on MacBook Pro

Domdodo wrote:

Well googling hasn't helped solve this so I'm here

Finder has stopped working properly, that is to say it won't refresh properly. If I download a file, it's not there unless I restart Finder, If I open a zip, it won't show the unzipped file unless I restart finder, etc. sometimes all I have to do is click on a different folder then back to my downloads folder but at that point I know it's screwing up and it's on the verge of hanging. Often when I opt+cmd+esc to relaunch Finder the Finder icon is wrong.

I've tried rebuilding the index, I've tried starting in safe mode to see if that made a difference, I've uninstalled anything I don't use much and might be affecting it. If used to hang regularly now not as much but it still won't refresh files unless I restart it.

I also ran this in terminal but that didn't help

rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

I used time machine to go back to a time when it wasn't happening as far as I know but that didn't resolve it.

The one interesting thing is I created a new user and it doesn't happen. So that tell me it's not hardware.

I at my wits end, I ran EtreCheck but frankly don't really know what I'm looking for.

I really don't want to have to re-install the OS so I'm hoping you guys have answers.

Thanks for any help

<etr report.log>

I would start with officially uninstalling 2024-12-09 Bitdefender Virus Scanner (3.18)

Third party AntiVirus is not recommended— it typically does nothing but add issues to the macOS and competes directly with Apple’s own built in security:

macOS antivirus - Protecting against malware in macOS - Apple Support

macOS - Security - Apple macOS - Security - Apple

Apple Platform Security - Apple Apple Platform Security - Apple Support

the rule of thumb—Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS

there is mile long list of < User Login Items> I would remove all of these in an effort to get back to terra firma

< Little Snitch> not needed...

< wireshark>

I would uninstall a plethora of third party app you don't use...