User profile for user: pathum263
pathum263 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Mac displays 'The file can't be found' error with no details

"The file can't be found" error keeps appearing — no idea what's triggering it


Hi all,


I'm running macOS Tahoe on my Mac and I keep getting a popup that says "The file can't be found." with just an OK button to dismiss it.


The problem:

- The error gives no details — no file name, no app name, nothing.

- I'm not sure if it's triggered on startup or by a specific action since it seems to appear randomly.

- Clicking OK dismisses it but it keeps coming back.


What I've tried so far:

- Checked Login Items under System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions — nothing obvious there.

- Looked for broken Dock shortcuts (no question mark icons).

- Checked Recent Items — nothing unusual.


Has anyone run into this? Is there a way to find out which process is generating this alert? Maybe a Console log entry or a terminal command that could help trace it?


Any help appreciated. Thanks!



[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 26.6

Posted on Sep 1, 2026 2:32 AM

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User profile for user: steve626
steve626
User level: Level 6
17,729 points

Posted on Sep 1, 2026 1:43 PM

Two standard troubleshooting steps:


(1) Boot into Safe Mode. Apple provides instructions for doing that which are different for Intel versus Silicon Macs. In Safe Mode (you may have to let the Mac operate for a little while, which may be a bit annoying since it will act sluggish in Safe Mode) does the anomaly occur any more? If not, it is likely due to something installed. Reboot normally and retest. There is a smallish chance that just booting into Safe Mode will resolve this because it clears out some caches, but it is a SMALL chance.


(2) If you have a different user, try logging in as that user. Is the problem gone? If it is, it has to do with something configured for your original user.


There are two folders that may be useful to inspect:


Macintosh HD > Library folder. In that folder are LaunchAgents and LaunchDemons folders. Look through those folders for third party software that are no longer used, have been uninstalled or deleted, or are otherwise obsolete. You can delete such obsolete entries, then reboot and retest, but if you want to be safer, maybe report back on what you find to vet it with other users here before deleting anything. Also in this Library folder, inspect the StartupItems folder and report back on any items that seem obsolete to you.


Return to the Finder. Under the Go menu, select Library. If you don't see it, hold down the Option key and select Library. Find the LaunchAgents folder and repeat the above inspection.


Do you have any Shortcuts that you set up? Maybe disable those, temporarily, as a test.


Download Etrecheck, run it granting full disk access, and then post its report (which is anonymous in the sense that no user info can be discerned from it, you can read through it to verify that) following this procedure:


How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community




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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: steve626
steve626
User level: Level 6
17,729 points

Sep 1, 2026 1:43 PM in response to pathum263

Two standard troubleshooting steps:


(1) Boot into Safe Mode. Apple provides instructions for doing that which are different for Intel versus Silicon Macs. In Safe Mode (you may have to let the Mac operate for a little while, which may be a bit annoying since it will act sluggish in Safe Mode) does the anomaly occur any more? If not, it is likely due to something installed. Reboot normally and retest. There is a smallish chance that just booting into Safe Mode will resolve this because it clears out some caches, but it is a SMALL chance.


(2) If you have a different user, try logging in as that user. Is the problem gone? If it is, it has to do with something configured for your original user.


There are two folders that may be useful to inspect:


Macintosh HD > Library folder. In that folder are LaunchAgents and LaunchDemons folders. Look through those folders for third party software that are no longer used, have been uninstalled or deleted, or are otherwise obsolete. You can delete such obsolete entries, then reboot and retest, but if you want to be safer, maybe report back on what you find to vet it with other users here before deleting anything. Also in this Library folder, inspect the StartupItems folder and report back on any items that seem obsolete to you.


Return to the Finder. Under the Go menu, select Library. If you don't see it, hold down the Option key and select Library. Find the LaunchAgents folder and repeat the above inspection.


Do you have any Shortcuts that you set up? Maybe disable those, temporarily, as a test.


Download Etrecheck, run it granting full disk access, and then post its report (which is anonymous in the sense that no user info can be discerned from it, you can read through it to verify that) following this procedure:


How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community




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Mac displays 'The file can't be found' error with no details

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