Solved: How do I fix Finder not working on macOS Sonoma

This article offers solutions to fix Finder issues on macOS Sonoma.

Problem

Many users have reported problems with Finder since updating to macOS Sonoma. Some experience long loading times, while others find it extremely slow when performing basic tasks. Additionally, Finder may become unresponsive or hang unexpectedly, and some users can’t open it at all. If you’re experiencing Finder not working as expected on macOS Sonoma, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll explore various methods to resolve these Finder-related issues.

Solution 1: Restart Finder

Step 1: Go to Launchpad > Others > Activity Monitor.

Step 2: Select Finder from the list and click the “X” icon at the top.

Step 3: Choose “Force Quit” from the menu that appears.

Step 4: Wait for a few seconds, and then relaunch Finder.

Solution 2: Reindex Spotlight

Step 1: Open Launchpad, go to “Others,” and launch Terminal.

Step 2: In the Terminal, enter the following command and press Enter: sudo mdutil -E /

Step 3: Wait for the process to complete, and then check if the problem with Finder has been resolved.

Solution 3: Re-Enable Indexing

Step 1: Open Launchpad, go to “Others,” and launch Terminal.

Step 2: In the Terminal, enter the following command and press Enter: sudo mdutil -i on /

Step 3: Check to see if this resolves the problem with Finder not working on macOS Sonoma.

Solution 4: Delete Finder Preferences

Step 1: Go to your Desktop and use the Shift+Command+G shortcut to open the “Go To Folder.”

Step 2: In the “Go To Folder” window, type in ~/Library/Preferences/ and click “Go.”

Step 3: Search for the com.apple.finder.plist file and move it to the Trash.

Step 4: Restart your computer.

Solution 5: Clear Finder Cache

Step 1: Quit Finder if it is running.

Step 2: Open a Terminal window by going to Applications > Utilities > Terminal or by pressing Command + Space and typing Terminal.

Step 3: In the Terminal window, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:

sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.finder
sudo rm -rf /Library/Caches/com.apple.finder

Step 4: Enter your administrator password when prompted and press Enter.

Step 5: Restart your Mac and check if Finder is working properly.

Solution 6: Update Software and Drivers

Step 1: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences.

Step 2: Click on Software Update and check for any available updates for your macOS and other applications.

Step 3: If there are any updates, click on Update Now and follow the on-screen instructions to install them.

Step 4: Alternatively, you can also go to the App Store and check for any updates for your third-party applications and drivers.

Step 5: Restart your Mac and check if Finder is working properly.

Solution 7: Run Disk Utility

Step 1: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select Restart.

Step 2: As your Mac restarts, press and hold the Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.

Step 3: Release the keys and wait for the macOS Recovery mode to load.

Step 4: In the macOS Recovery mode, select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu and click on Continue.

Step 5: In the Disk Utility window, select your startup disk from the sidebar and click on First Aid.

Step 6: Click on Run and wait for Disk Utility to scan and repair your disk.

Step 7: If Disk Utility finds any errors, it will try to fix them automatically. If it cannot fix them, it will give you a message with instructions on what to do next.

Step 8: After Disk Utility finishes, click on Done and restart your Mac normally.

Step 9: Check if Finder is working properly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers related to Finder not working on macOS Sonoma:

Qestion: How do I force quit Finder on macOS Sonoma?

Answer: If Finder is not responding or frozen, you can force quit Finder by pressing Option + Command + Escape on your keyboard. This will open the Force Quit Applications window, where you can select Finder and click on Force Quit.

Question: How do I reset Finder on macOS Sonoma?

Answer: If you want to reset Finder to its default settings and preferences, you can delete Finder preferences and clear Finder cache as explained in Method 2 and Method 3 above. This will remove any customizations or changes that you have made to Finder and restore it to its original state.

Question: How do I reinstall Finder on macOS Sonoma?

Answer: If none of the methods above work, you may need to reinstall Finder on your Mac. To do this, you will need to reinstall macOS Sonoma on your Mac using the macOS Recovery mode. This will replace the Finder application with a fresh copy from the macOS installation file. However, this will also erase all your data and settings on your Mac, so make sure you have a backup before proceeding. To reinstall macOS Sonoma on your Mac, follow these steps:

Step 1: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select Restart.

Step 2: As your Mac restarts, press and hold the Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.

Step 3: Release the keys and wait for the macOS Recovery mode to load.

Step 4: In the macOS Recovery mode, select Reinstall macOS from the Utilities menu and click on Continue.

Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to choose your startup disk and agree to the terms and conditions.

Step 6: Wait for the macOS installation to complete and restart your Mac normally.

Step 7: Check if Finder is working properly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these methods provide you with a range of options to resolve the Finder issues on macOS Sonoma. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions about these steps, feel free to leave a comment. We’re here to assist you and will respond with a solution as soon as possible.

Disclamer: While the methods discussed in this guide are intended to help you address Finder issues on macOS Sonoma, it’s important to note that your computer’s system and configurations may vary. Before attempting any of these fixes, it’s advisable to back up your important data. Additionally, if you are not comfortable with these technical procedures, seeking assistance from a professional or contacting Apple Support is a prudent step. We do not take responsibility for any potential data loss or unintended consequences that may arise from following these methods. Always exercise caution and use these solutions at your own discretion.