Sierra - Menu Bar - Beachballing with frozen time

I hadn't seen it until today on an iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) running 10.12.3.

I agree that it's not likely a clock issue. The suggestions from Tygb and recommended by Apple clearly weren't relevant, as my settings were as described there.

Finding the hung process was key. If it recurs for me, I'm going after the SystemUIServer.plist, as cemyam suggested.

I'm seeing this same issue. I've noticed it's all native OSX system items in the menu bar that are frozen (so volume, wifi, battery, time, airplay, siri, etc) but non-native items are not frozen (slack, dropbox, etc).

Update: I noticed in Activity Monitor that SystemUIServer was not responding. A force quit to SystemUIServer brought the menu bar items back to life.

Yes, I follow the exact same process. I have to quit the SystemUIServer, but I don't have to force quit it.

Hello !

Please run NVRAM .

How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

Thanks, but did not fix it.

Please try some methods hope so it might help you , run the system in safe mode some system caches will be rebuilt .

Go to system preferences > date and time > make sure set date and time is checked in front of it choose drop down arrows choose as your correct location .

In time zone : make sure set time zone automatically using correct location is checked , on the bottom end correct country and closest city must be correct ,whenever you click in time zone a red arrow just comes + a blue dot is always there .

If, the settings are not correct go to language & region verify the settings in your system as :

Click on advanced : click on restore defaults

If, this not works : click on go to go folder & type /Library see folder preferences right click on com.apple.timezone.auto.plist and move to desktop , please don't delete to trash .

Restart the system . monitor the machine if everything goes fine then delete the plist to trash , restart again & empty the trash .

Just adding to the chorus - same issue with built-in items on menubar freezing and 3rd party items being fine. Force quitting SystemUIServer in Activity Monitor seems to resolve it.

I've seen it twice since upgrading to Sierra. First time, I rebooted and it was fine.

This time, I did the SystemUIServer thing. More interesting, the time was stuck at 7:59pm when I opened my Macbook Pro this morning (around 11am). Last night at 7:59pm, the machine was closed and "asleep" on the AC charger (I know it wakes to do various things like Time Machine, etc). Late 2013 MacBook Pro Retina 15" i7 / 16GB / NVidia GT 750M, fully updated Sierra.

Same issue on an iMac 5K Late 2014. Force quitting SystemUIServer helps only for short time. I removed the SystemUIServer.plist. We'll see if it helps.

Last week got my brand new high end 15" Mac Book Pro with touch bar. This morning I sign into my new Mac Book Pro and the SystemUI server is not responding.😠

This does not at all seem to be a clock issue, because the system clock is not displayed on either of my Mac Book Pros. So not only does this happen on my old Mid 2012 15" Mac Book Pro Retina but it also occurs on my brand new Mac.

Since I deleted the SystemUIServer.plist I have no issues.

APPLE - PLEASE RESPOND to this thread.

This SystemUIServer issue has been present for YEARS and NEVER a response seen from APPLE.

It is a RECURRENT and ANNOYING issue that deserves attention. The SystemUIServer CRASHES/HANGS causing all Apple Menu items to hang/spinning beachball when cursor overhead each Apple Menu item.

Apple, PLEASE FIX THIS NOW.... Thanks and Merry Christmas to ALL!!!

Seeing this also on (still) on 10.12.2 - I notice that it happens when the machine sleeps and also when I connect and disconnect from VPN (via Pulse Secure). I looked for SystemUIServer.plist to see if that would fix it, but can't find the file on my system at all.

I did the same, deleted the SystemUIServer.plist and issue is now gone.🙂