Q: System Preferences won't launch from Apple Menu

Question

Stephen Weimar

Level 1 (15 points)

Q: System Preferences won't launch from Apple Menu

When I try to launch System Preferences from the Apple Menu, the menubar blinks with a new menu as if launching and then reverts, without completing the launch.

I can launch System Preferences from the Applications folder.

I believe this behavior began after I had to force a shutdown. I have fixed preferences and checked the drive with Disk Utility (passed).

I am guessing that a preference somewhere is corrupted.

Ideas??

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9), 15" early 2011, 16 gb

Posted on Mar 24, 2015 10:50 AM

I have this question too

Solved

Linc Davis

Level 10 (208,037 points)

Applications

A:

Although the problem is not the same, please follow the instructions in this support article to reset the Launch Services database. If you don't already have a current backup, back up all data before proceeding. You may have to log out or restart to see a change.

Posted on Mar 24, 2015 1:33 PM

Q: System Preferences won't launch from Apple Menu

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by Old Toad,

Old Toad Mar 24, 2015 11:12 AM in response to Stephen Weimar
Level 10 (141,679 points)

Photos for Mac

Mar 24, 2015 11:12 AM in response to Stephen Weimar

Remove the System Preference icon from the Dock, by dragging until the "poof". Go to the Applications folder and drag it back into the Dock and try launching again.
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by Stephen Weimar,

Stephen Weimar Mar 24, 2015 11:23 AM in response to Old Toad
Level 1 (15 points)

Mar 24, 2015 11:23 AM in response to Old Toad

I did this and it did not appear to have affected my problem with the Apple Menu item for the System Preferences. Launching from the Applications folder and from the Dock have been and continue working fine.

My problem is that System Preferences does not launch when I select that item on the Apple Menu.
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by Old Toad,

Old Toad Mar 24, 2015 11:42 AM in response to Stephen Weimar
Level 10 (141,679 points)

Photos for Mac

Mar 24, 2015 11:42 AM in response to Stephen Weimar

Opps. Missed the Apple menu reference. All I can think of is to: 1 - boot into Safe Mode, Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode, try there, reboot normally and try again; 2 - boot into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down), select Disk Utility and repair both the disk permissions and the disk. Reboot normally and try again.
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by Stephen Weimar,

Stephen Weimar Mar 24, 2015 2:12 PM in response to Linc Davis
Level 1 (15 points)

Mar 24, 2015 2:12 PM in response to Linc Davis

That worked! Thank you.

I did not have to Login again or restart.
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by Stephen Weimar,

Stephen Weimar Mar 25, 2015 7:19 AM in response to Old Toad
Level 1 (15 points)

Mar 25, 2015 7:19 AM in response to Old Toad

The problem persisted in Safe Mode (I don't use much that modifies basic functions). As indicated in my original note, I had already done the drive and preferences work with Disk Utility.
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by Lotus26R,

Lotus26R Sep 8, 2015 4:28 AM in response to Linc Davis
Level 1 (0 points)

Sep 8, 2015 4:28 AM in response to Linc Davis

Brilliant - resolved in a flash. Thanks
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Accepted Answer · Mar 24, 2015 1:33 PM

Linc Davis

Level 10 (208,037 points)

Applications

Mar 24, 2015 1:33 PM in response to Stephen Weimar

Although the problem is not the same, please follow the instructions in this support article to reset the Launch Services database. If you don't already have a current backup, back up all data before proceeding. You may have to log out or restart to see a change.

Q: System Preferences won't launch from Apple Menu

All replies Helpful answers

by Old Toad,

by Stephen Weimar,

by Old Toad,

by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

by Stephen Weimar,

by Stephen Weimar,

by Lotus26R,

All replies

Helpful answers