Mail window keeps opening without provocation

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Level 8

44,391 points

Mail window keeps opening without provocation

Since upgrading to OS X 10.11, my Mail window keeps opening without rhyme or reason.

Mail is launched, but its window is closed, then at seemingly random times, the window suddenly opens, disrupting whatever else I was doing at the time. This also happens when Mac is asleep, as the previously closed Mail window is opened upon wake-from-sleep. This is not related to any activity within Mail, such as new email arriving, periodic checks for new email, synchronizing email status with other devices, etc.

Is anyone else experiencing the same issue?

Is there a specific .plist file that I should try deleting?

Thanks.

Mac mini (Late 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Apr 22, 2016 2:35 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

vjkane

Level 1

4 points

Jan 10, 2017 9:03 AM in response to Rysz

I'm having exactly the same problem since installing Sierra - skipped El Capitan where, from other folk's complaints, mail started having problems. FYI, if I minimize the mail window (yellow button in upper left of window when open) it doesn't open randomly.

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Answer 2

LeoUCF

Level 1

9 points

Jun 4, 2017 9:50 AM in response to Rysz

I have the exact same problem with MacOS 10.12.5

The frequency of the problem seems to vary significantly as at times the window reappears within seconds of closing and this cycle repeats well over 6-7 times before I give up and quit the Mail app. Other times it will be open a day or two before having a fit.

I have tried the following remedies without improvement:

1. Quitting and restarting the app

2. Restarting the machine

3. Completely powering off and rebooting machine

Hardware: MBP 8,1 Late 2011

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Answer 3

Apr 26, 2016 4:05 PM in response to Rysz

User settings for Mail are in the User Library>Containers folder:

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail

If you want to experiment: Quit Mail.

Move the com.apple.mail folder to the trash. Open Mail. You will need to recreate your settings. You can always reverse this if problems occur or to reset your original settings.

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Answer 4

Rysz Author

Level 8

44,391 points

Apr 26, 2016 4:12 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc

Will try. Thanks.

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Answer 5

Apr 26, 2016 4:39 PM in response to Rysz

If the com.apple.mail folder doesn't do the trick, you could also repeat the process with the com.apple.MailServiceAgent folder.

If those don't work, then it may be something other than Mail causing the problem such as the Finder. But I wouldn't know what exact cause to speculate on.

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Answer 6

Apr 26, 2016 4:29 PM in response to Rysz

I have had the same problem for some time. It seems longer, but it's probably been since 10.11.

It happens on every computer I have, my rMBP, and my work Macbook Air and iMac. The only thing I know is that it seems to happen when some type of authentication request times out. Like, when it is trying to connect to one of my accounts but runs into an error.

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Answer 7

Rysz Author

Level 8

44,391 points

Apr 26, 2016 4:43 PM in response to Noble Seven

It started with 10.11, but for me, there's no correlation to time outs or errors.

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Answer 8

Rysz Author

Level 8

44,391 points

Apr 26, 2016 4:39 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc

I'll try all the suggestions tomorrow. Thanks.

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Answer 9

Rysz Author

Level 8

44,391 points

Jun 1, 2016 2:47 PM in response to Rysz

Update: tried all the suggestions, but no success. The random Mail window opening continues.

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Answer 10

Jun 1, 2016 3:17 PM in response to Rysz

Actually saw someone else with the same problem, however I still have not other solutions to offer. Maybe if you could catch the exact moment it happens and look for log messages. That might tell you something.

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