The application "VLC.app" can't be opened. -36

I'm having this same issue with the -36 code. It's definitely the 10.12.2 update. I had a bad install, called Apple Support, reinstalled, some of my issues were fixed, but now, some files, mostly my Adobe files, won't open with a double-click - which is really annoying. Something is still scrambled on my computer. I've updated all of my Adobe software that had available updates, and it didn't help. I've been looking around online, and I'm not seeing a lot of answers...

Looks like a major bug in 10.12.2 release. The only solution seems to me is to roll back to 10.12.1 using time machine copy from system restore menu. Did that and everything is back to normal (and estimated battery time started showing again, too :)

I'm still having this problem as well. Basically anything on my external HD through the AirPort, won't open with a double-click. I have to go through the program's open menu. It's a pain. Seems to not be as big of an issue from files on the HD.

You could try download DMG file of Sierra 10.12.1 and do a clean install. Usually you can't install Mac OS earlier than what was originally installed, however this is just a minor release - might work.

I have a similar issue as well. When I access a Drobo attached to my Airport Extreme I get this error. Specifically it is when I access it via a dock shortcut. It connects and gives me the folder structure in the pop-up menu but if I click on "Open in Finder" I get the -36 error.

Strangely for me, if I access the shared Drobo via the left side of a finder window, I can access the folders and files just fine.

I too am hopeful this is a bug with 10.12.2 and that Apple will fix it with a future point release. But since I am currently running 10.12.3 public beta and the problem remains?

Yeah I think it's an AFP issue.

Apple is after all leaving the AFP protocol in favour of SMB.

So it would be logical to assume that new releases of macOS will have less and less support for AFP.

Not to mention that the development of the protocol has ended for a while now.

I am having the exact same problem. I have my external hard drive connected through my AirPort Extreme, and PDF's or some reason won't open. Only some, not all.

No issue if I plug the hard drive into my Mac directly
No issue if I copy the file to my desktop and then open
No issue if I copy to iCloud Drive and then open.

Only if its connected via the AirPort Extreme.

Never had an issue before until I updated my computer this week.

The solution seems to be, at least it works for me: Error -36 Airport Time Capsule or downgrade to 10.12.1 if you still have a full backup of your 10.12.1 installation, meaning restore that version.

I try to open the movie files in Finder window from Network Drive (Apple Time Capsule) by "Open with" and select VLC app.

The screen appears "The application "VLC.app" can't be opened. -36".

The problem do not happen with Local drive.

It works fine if I open the app first and open the file from "File/Open" menu.

The fact that you can open VLC first, and then, select the file to play tells me that the Time Capsule (TC) or the wireless connection between your MacBook Pro (MBP) and the TC is not the issue. Instead, it may be with either VLC or macOS Sierra.

I assume that you are running the very latest version of VLC on your MBP and that you do not have any software firewalls enabled on it.

You may get better results in obtaining a potential solution if you resubmit your post to the Mac OS & System Software area of the Apple Support Communities (ASC).

I'm having the same issue, but it is with a number of different apps/file types. Some pdf files that normally open in preview, videos, mp3s, etc. Some files still open, some do not. All of the files were ok until I updated to 10.12.2.

I have the exact same issue.

If I try to open a file in Finder from the network drive on my Apple Time Capsule by "Open with xxxx.app" or double clicking on it I get an error message "The application "xxxxx.app" can't be opened. -36.

It seems to have started with either the latest MacOS Sierra 10.12.2 update or the latest Time Capsule Update 7.6.8 or both.

However, opening files on the share from within the apps works.

I'm also experiencing the same issue as of this week. Problem is with media files for VLC, but also with xlsx files. Problem occurs randomly. Not all files in the same dir show this problem.

Issue occurs on the Airport Time Capsule disk, but also on the USB connected disk to this Airport Time Capsule.

Hopefully a fix will come soon. Tried dot_clean, but this did not resolve the issue.

Re: Can't open any file

I'm still having the above problems. Are we anywhere near to a solution?

I'm also having the same problem. I'd very much appreciate if they could solve it as soon as possible...