"spinning wheel of death" only happens when I try to do certain things (probably related to Keychain)

Question

"spinning wheel of death" only happens when I try to do certain things (probably related to Keychain)

I'd be extremely appreciative to anybody who can help with this.

I'm getting the spinning wheel of death, but only when I try to do certain things. When it starts, the wheel is never ending. I've let my computer sit for 15-20 minutes, it doesn't stop spinning, and it doesn't open the app.

Example: I'm using Firefox right now, but I can't open Safari or Chrome.

Example: When I go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access > and click on the lock button in the upper left-hand corner, I get the never-ending, spinning wheel of death.

I feel like it has something to do with Keychain, but again, I can't click on the unlock button in Keychain Access.

This information might be helpful to solving the problem: Every time I re-boot my computer, I get a series of never-ending pop-up boxes, asking for Keychain passwords.

Example: "Safari wants to use the "Local Items" keychain."

Example: "Spotlight wants to use the "login" keychain."

Example: "identityservicesd wants to use the "login" keychain."

Obviously, many of them - especially the third example - seem like some kind of malware, so I haven't typed my password into the boxes.

If you could help in any way, I'd be so grateful. Thanks for your kindness! 🙂

MacBook Pro, iOS 10.1.1

Posted on Oct 30, 2017 11:39 PM

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Answer 1

Mac_slide

Level 3

623 points

Nov 4, 2017 5:43 AM in response to FreedomIsAwesome

Dude, I know what you're going through, I've had hundreds of strange things, one time only a restore from Apple would work because my software update corrupted below the OS.

One thing that worked for me when I was having issues with safari and keychain was to LOG OUT OF iCloud.

I've occasionally still have to do it on another laptop. You might also want to open Activity Monitor and see whats taking up all the resources if anything.

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Answer 2

Mac_slide

Level 3

623 points

Nov 3, 2017 4:43 PM in response to FreedomIsAwesome

How old is the laptop ? Is it getting very hot ?

I had similar situation on a 15 inch MBP years ago, it slowly got worst until it was unusable - turned out my board was going out and needed a new computer.

BTW, in my case - if I were in the freezer or outside in bitter cold - my laptop would work fine... for awhile, until even that didn't work.

I might try doing a safe boot (holding shift) and then trying to add another user account - log in there and see if there any problems.

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Answer 3

Mac_slide

Level 3

623 points

Nov 4, 2017 5:52 AM in response to FreedomIsAwesome

One thing that could help is Creating a new ADMIN account - I always have three but use only one unless theres a problem. Then use that for awhile and see how things go. Migrate all your data over to that account after your satisfied.

One of my first MacBooks back in 2000 was a piece of trash, there was always problems including this keychain thing very similar to yours. I eventually sort of worked it out but there would be an occasional hiccup down the road but it could of been just a demonic computer.

Thing of note... I had a loaner computer for 5 years a new one every few weeks. Some of the data, that I had saved to disk on the problem mac was unreadable on the other computers - yet readable on my problematic mac. So when I eventually go get my laptop back from repairs for a day or a week, when it would cause a different severe problems again I'd take it back and get another loaner... all the while it was readable on THAT computer but not the others.

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Answer 4

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,118 points

Nov 3, 2017 3:09 AM in response to FreedomIsAwesome

can you enlighten us with an etrecheck list please

etrecheck.com

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Answer 5

sterling r

Community Specialist

Nov 3, 2017 12:09 PM in response to FreedomIsAwesome

Hello FreedomIsAwesome,

Thanks for testing our steps. Since the article was unable to assist you, and even creating a new keychain didn't resolve the issue, I recommend contacting AppleCare for further assistance.

You can contact AppleCare using this link: Contact - Official Apple Support
Thanks and have a great day.

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Answer 6

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,118 points

Nov 4, 2017 3:51 AM in response to FreedomIsAwesome

Try this first (it is not really clear to me what is happening):

Quit Safari (and other browsers) from its menu.

Then hold the Shift key while starting Safari (do not start any other browser): do you have the same issue? If yes, go to Safari menu and select "Clear History...." and clear all history and website data.

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Answer 7

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,118 points

Nov 3, 2017 4:30 AM in response to FreedomIsAwesome

no offense!

but since it is not really solvable with the "Jameson" information, it may have not to do with the Keychain at all.

An etrecheck list gives much more diagnosis.

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Answer 8

Nov 3, 2017 12:29 AM in response to Teddy_B

Hi, Jameson. Thanks for your help. None of the options that you linked to worked (I was given the never-ending spinning wheel of death with everything that I tried, or it just didn't work).

The last password reset option (sub-titled "Create a new login keychain, if necessary") was a great backdoor way to unlock the Keychain Access locks (without getting the never-ending spinning wheel of death). I thought it'd worked, however, after I re-locked Keychain Access, the never-ending pop-ups immediately started again.

I'm still looking for a solution.

This new information might help you diagnose the problem. I was able to delete everything in Keychain Access (login > all items > delete all; local items > all items > delete all; system > all items > delete all), except for the 168 items in Keychain Access > System Roots > Certificates. I can't delete any of these. Could this be the cause of the problem? Is there a way to delete these items?

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Answer 9

Nov 3, 2017 9:41 PM in response to sterling r

Thanks for responding, Sterling R. I appreciate your help.

The link you sent requires me to have already purchased Applecare for my computer. It doesn't offer an option to purchase it now. I have Applecare for my phone, not for my computer. I bought this computer used about a year and a half ago. Is it possible to purchase Applecare for my computer? If so, what's the link for that?

Also, is it possible to delete the 168 items in Keychain Access > System Roots > Certificates? If so, I'd like to try that.

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Answer 10

Nov 4, 2017 2:26 AM in response to Lexiepex

Thanks for the response, Lexiepex. Both of those options were in the link that Jameson.H sent on October 31st. I'm able to perform those options, but as soon as I re-lock "login" or "local items", I get the never-ending pop ups that ask for my password.

Do you know if it's possible to delete the 168 items in Keychain Access > System Roots > Certificates? If so, I'd like to try that.

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Answer 11

Teddy_B

Community Specialist

Oct 31, 2017 3:07 PM in response to FreedomIsAwesome

Hello FreedomIsAwesome,

Thanks for asking the Apple Support Communities for help with your issue. I agree, this is being caused by the Keychain. I first recommend checking the troubleshooting provided in this help article:

If your Mac keeps asking for the login keychain password

If you still have issue, let us know. Thanks again and have a great rest of your day.

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Answer 12

Nov 3, 2017 3:45 AM in response to Lexiepex

Lexiepex, please don't take this personal. I don't see why that's necessary. However, if Jameson replies that it's necessary, then I'll consider it. Thanks for understanding.

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