Messages app and Mail app not working after OS X El Capitan Installed

Question

Level 1

4 points

Messages app and Mail app not working after OS X El Capitan Installed

Hello, I am experiencing this problem with my messages app, and it only started happening after I upgraded from Yosemite to El Capitan. The problem is when I try click on the app to open it, no window opens up displaying my messages, only the Messages menu bar appears (as shown below).

However, if i click the app icon again without quitting, a window pops up, but it is blank with no messages like so:

I've tried signing out of my account and signing back in, but nothing changed. Also I tried resetting the apps settings to default from the command line but that didn't work either. I am also experiencing pretty much the same problem with my Mail app.

When I click the app to open, nothing comes up but the menu bar:

and thats all that happens no matter how many times i click the app icon or quit and reopen the app, the same issue occurs. And this problem happens with my notes app as well. I am at a loss and was hoping to get some help on this problem as it can be very inconvenient sometimes to not be able to use my messages or mail apps on my mac, thanks!

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014), OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Apr 14, 2016 7:49 AM

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Answer 1

Aus10Zeh Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 14, 2016 8:02 AM in response to Aus10Zeh

Furthermore, for those who care, this is what my console returns when I try to load messages app:

4/14/16 10:57:46.504 AM Messages[1430]: schema version 9005

4/14/16 10:57:46.896 AM Messages[1430]: Unknown class SOExtendedTextField in Interface Builder file at path /Applications/Messages.app/Contents/Resources/ChatWindowAccountStatusView.nib.

4/14/16 10:57:46.897 AM Messages[1430]: Unknown class SOExtendedTextField in Interface Builder file at path /Applications/Messages.app/Contents/Resources/ChatWindowAccountStatusView.nib.

4/14/16 10:57:46.900 AM Messages[1430]: Failed to connect (_statusDelegate) outlet from (MyStatusControl) to (StatusController): missing setter or instance variable

4/14/16 10:57:46.900 AM Messages[1430]: *** Assertion failure in -[NSMenuItem initWithTitle:action:keyEquivalent:], /Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/AppKit/AppKit-1404.46/Menus.subproj/NSMen uItem.m:402

4/14/16 10:57:46.901 AM Messages[1430]: Invalid parameter not satisfying: aString != nil

4/14/16 10:57:46.903 AM Messages[1430]: (

0 CoreFoundation 0x00007fff9a0b14f2 __exceptionPreprocess + 178

1 libobjc.A.dylib 0x00007fff9165df7e objc_exception_throw + 48

2 CoreFoundation 0x00007fff9a0b61ca +[NSException raise:format:arguments:] + 106

3 Foundation 0x00007fff8cff37d6 -[NSAssertionHandler handleFailureInMethod:object:file:lineNumber:description:] + 198

4 AppKit 0x00007fff9c78f259 -[NSMenuItem initWithTitle:action:keyEquivalent:] + 155

5 Messages 0x00000001016545b1 iChatDefaultDefaults + 51449

6 Messages 0x00000001016492c5 iChatDefaultDefaults + 5645

7 Messages 0x0000000101648c4e iChatDefaultDefaults + 3990

8 CoreFoundation 0x00007fff9a027cef -[NSSet makeObjectsPerformSelector:] + 223

9 AppKit 0x00007fff9c786f2f -[NSIBObjectData nibInstantiateWithOwner:options:topLevelObjects:] + 1192

10 AppKit 0x00007fff9c8976ab -[NSNib _instantiateNibWithExternalNameTable:options:] + 677

11 AppKit 0x00007fff9c8972fb -[NSNib _instantiateWithOwner:options:topLevelObjects:] + 143

12 AppKit 0x00007fff9c896590 -[NSViewController loadView] + 270

13 Messages 0x00000001016685a7 TigerPrefNameForAccount + 59669

14 AppKit 0x00007fff9c803aaa -[NSViewController _loadViewIfRequired] + 75

15 AppKit 0x00007fff9c803a15 -[NSViewController view] + 30

16 Messages 0x00000001017d9edf FezVerifyCallHasErrors + 121777

17 Messages 0x0000000101667f3d TigerPrefNameForAccount + 58027

18 AppKit 0x00007fff9c80ced5 -[NSViewController _sendViewDidLoad] + 97

19 AppKit 0x00007fff9c803bbf -[NSViewController _loadViewIfRequired] + 352

20 AppKit 0x00007fff9c803a15 -[NSViewController view] + 30

21 Messages 0x00000001016668f5 TigerPrefNameForAccount + 52323

22 Messages 0x000000010166680a TigerPrefNameForAccount + 52088

23 Messages 0x000000010166677f TigerPrefNameForAccount + 51949

24 Messages 0x0000000101665ff8 TigerPrefNameForAccount + 50022

25 AppKit 0x00007fff9c82ea2b -[NSWindowController _windowDidLoad] + 592

26 AppKit 0x00007fff9c7cb542 -[NSWindowController window] + 110

27 Messages 0x00000001017cb00b FezVerifyCallHasErrors + 60637

28 Messages 0x00000001016653f9 TigerPrefNameForAccount + 46951

29 Messages 0x000000010173e893 FezCreateTrust + 37146

30 Foundation 0x00007fff8cf78f5e __NSThreadPerformPerform + 279

31 CoreFoundation 0x00007fff9a046881 __CFRUNLOOP_IS_CALLING_OUT_TO_A_SOURCE0_PERFORM_FUNCTION__ + 17

32 CoreFoundation 0x00007fff9a025fbc __CFRunLoopDoSources0 + 556

33 CoreFoundation 0x00007fff9a0254df __CFRunLoopRun + 927

34 CoreFoundation 0x00007fff9a024ed8 CFRunLoopRunSpecific + 296

35 HIToolbox 0x00007fff8fad7935 RunCurrentEventLoopInMode + 235

36 HIToolbox 0x00007fff8fad776f ReceiveNextEventCommon + 432

37 HIToolbox 0x00007fff8fad75af _BlockUntilNextEventMatchingListInModeWithFilter + 71

38 AppKit 0x00007fff9c7baefa _DPSNextEvent + 1067

39 AppKit 0x00007fff9c7ba32a -[NSApplication _nextEventMatchingEventMask:untilDate:inMode:dequeue:] + 454

40 AppKit 0x00007fff9c7aee84 -[NSApplication run] + 682

41 AppKit 0x00007fff9c77846c NSApplicationMain + 1176

42 Messages 0x0000000101647bd1 main + 1717

43 libdyld.dylib 0x00007fff911d05ad start + 1

44 ??? 0x0000000000000001 0x0 + 1

)

And here is what my console returns when trying to open Mail:

4/14/16 11:00:42.182 AM Mail[1433]: Unknown class 'MailboxesSplitViewController', using 'NSObject' instead. Encountered in Interface Builder file at path /Applications/Mail.app/Contents/Resources/en.lproj/MessageViewer.nib.

4/14/16 11:00:42.182 AM Mail[1433]: Failed to connect (mailboxesContainer) outlet from (MessageViewer) to (NSView): missing setter or instance variable

4/14/16 11:00:42.182 AM Mail[1433]: Failed to connect (mailboxesSplitView) outlet from (MessageViewer) to (MailSplitView): missing setter or instance variable

4/14/16 11:00:42.182 AM Mail[1433]: Failed to connect (viewerContainer) outlet from (MessageViewer) to (NSView): missing setter or instance variable

4/14/16 11:00:42.183 AM Mail[1433]: Failed to connect (mailboxesContainer) outlet from (NSObject) to (NSView): missing setter or instance variable

4/14/16 11:00:42.183 AM Mail[1433]: Failed to connect (mailboxesSplitView) outlet from (NSObject) to (MailSplitView): missing setter or instance variable

4/14/16 11:00:42.403 AM Mail[1433]: NSDictionaryOfVariableBindings failed because either one of the values is nil, or there's something wrong with the way the macro is being invoked. Cannot assign value nil for key "fullScreenMinimizeTray". Keys:(

mailboxesSplitView,

fullScreenMinimizeTray

)

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Apr 14, 2016 8:06 AM in response to Aus10Zeh

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

Step 1

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

Step 2

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem.

Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

Reply

Answer 3

Aus10Zeh Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 14, 2016 8:34 AM in response to Linc Davis

Hello Linc Davis,

Thank you very much for the response. I appreciate your assistance. Unfortunately after doing both steps 1 and 2, I encountered the same problems trying to open the apps. Could this mean there are files missing or are corrupted causing these apps to fail when loading? I'm not sure but you will probably have more of an idea than I will

Reply

Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Apr 14, 2016 8:44 AM in response to Aus10Zeh

If you don't already have a current backup, please back up all data, then reinstall the OS.* You don't need to erase the startup volume, and you won't need the backup unless something goes wrong. If the system was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you may need the Apple ID and password you used.

There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.

If you installed the Java runtime distributed by Apple and still need it, you'll have to reinstall it. The same goes for Xcode. All other data will be preserved.

*The linked support article refers to OS X 10.11 ("El Capitan"), but the procedure is the same for OS X 10.7 ("Lion") and later.

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Answer 5

Apr 14, 2016 12:36 PM in response to Aus10Zeh

Hi,

4/14/16 10:57:46.504 AM Messages[1430]: schema version 9005

That is not the right version of Messages to go with EL Capitan Mac OS X 10.11.x

Highlighting the app in Applications and then doing a get Info (CMD=i keys together) then the version number should be 9.2 in OS X 10.11.4 (Also in "About Messages" from the Messages menu.)

If on the previous OS you moved the Messages application from the Applications folder (including putting in a sub folder) then the App will not Upgrade when you Upgrade the OS

Some people in the past used to do this with iChat and create a "Messaging" folder and move several apps into this folder.

If you do it in Lion (iChat 6) and Upgrade you get left with iChat and not Messages which just makes it clearer as to what is going on.

When the app is Upgraded along with the OS several other things can change locations between versions.

You may also need to move Mail back to be loose in Applications and not elsewhere or in a sub folder if you have grouped together several mail apps.

8:36 pm Thursday; April 14, 2016

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

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Answer 6

Aus10Zeh Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 14, 2016 6:18 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thank you Linc Davis, reinstalling the OS seemed to work. Also to Ralph John the versions for Messages and Mail were 9.2 and 9.3 when I went to get info so I guess the system was trying to use a different version that wasn't present on my computer, but after the reinstall messages, mail and notes work now, so thank you! I appreciate the time and help!

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Answer 7

Apr 15, 2016 12:00 PM in response to Aus10Zeh

Good to hear.

Thanks for letting us know.

8:00 pm Friday; April 15, 2016

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Reply