Finder not responding

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

sudo shutdown -r now

The syntax is correct and this will remove a corrupt plist. Solved my problem, my finder is now functioning correctly.

Apologies for hijacking this thread. I tried to create a new topic but was denied access for some or other reason. My problem is similar to this one above. I have tried the plist file removal to no avail.

I am using a MB Pro 13' bought a few weeks ago. The OS is the latest available version. I had some issues with blank emails which was resolved by completely uninstalling a security add on called Trusteer / Rapport.

Now a new and very irritating thing has started whereby I cannot share a file to email by right clicking on that file (in finder) and selecting SHARE- EMAIL. Normally a new email window would pop up with the file already populating it. All that was needed was to add some text and a recipient and send it.

The finder window becomes almost unresponsive and I need to go to force quit and relaunch it. The only life I can get out of the finder window in this state is that I can scroll up and down in the window but only a limited number of files is visible. The slider on the right hand side moves up and down but does not actually move the files.

The only way I can send a file to someone via email is to create a blank email and attach from there. That method works fine.

I have also noticed that if I try and share a webpage to Facebook, it will not do that either. Safari becomes unresponsive and I have to restart it. Rebooting the machine does not make any difference.

I have done a lot of online research but have not been able to find a solution.

Your problem, hardware or software, may not be exactly the same as that of the original poster of this older thread, and it can be very confusing for everybody if we try to answer more than one question in each thread, which can also result in you applying the wrong advice to your particular problem.

In order for us to give your problem our proper attention to try to solve it, would you kindly start your own thread, describing the trouble you are having in the fullest detail, including completing your details to show what Mac or iDevice you are using, what operating system, and what version of the application in question. Please remember to post in the forum relevant to your hardware or version of OS X. A full list of all the support forums is here:

http://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa

Devzzz wrote:

Hey Guys,

My finder isnt working. All my files on my desktop are gone and the rainbow ball is spinning forever.

What can i do to fix this issue? I can still use applications but i can't acess any files.

Thanks!

You will have to shut down - probably hard -- keep restarting until your desktop pops up clean.

I am answering the OP - this may help others on this thread

If you are using the Magic Apple Mouse --- that may be the problem with the desktop freeze.

My system started to freeze last November -- chased many blind alleys --

I rarely if ever used the mouse as I prefer to use a WACOM pen pad --- but, last november I started a project to put date/description/people's names on Photographs (using Photoshop) -- it was easier to use the mouse for the project and thats when the freezes started.

I purchased a new Apple Mouse - same model - deleted WACOM software - still freezes - and I noticed it froze when I used the mouse - with left button held down to drag something horizontally (mostly) across the screen.

7 days ago I reinstalled the WACOM software -- exclusively using the Pen - and no finder freeze.

I did this after seeing some posts concerning a problem with scrolling with the magic mouse - where the system froze.

Brilliant akpvkd! Just deleting all files from the 'Downloads' folder worked for me! Thanks for sharing your solution! 🙂

I had the same issue. After trying aaaall proposals given here and in other forums, the one that seems to work is the one suggested here:

Booting into “safe mode,” opening the Finder, poking around, and restarting.

Steps are:

1. Restart your Mac.
2. As soon as the grey boot screen appears (or slightly before), press and hold shift on your keyboard.
3. Once you see a progress indicator, let go of shift.
4. Once your Mac boots, you’ll have to login to your account (auto-login is disabled).
5. Open the Finder. Navigate through a few folders.
6. Restart normally

removing com.apple.finder.plist fixed my issue! Thanks 🙂

Thank you Roger Wilmut1! Your suggestion worked for me. I had to power off manually to Shut down.