Fixed: Finder Not Working After Upgrading to macOS Sequoia

Solutions

Upgrading to macOS Sequoia brings new features and enhancements, but some users have reported issues with Finder not working properly. If Finder is unresponsive, crashing, or failing to open, follow these troubleshooting steps to restore its functionality.

1. Restart Finder
A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.

• Press Command (⌘) + Option + Escape to open the Force Quit Applications window.
• Select Finder and click Relaunch.
• Wait a few seconds and check if Finder is working.

2. Restart Your Mac
If Finder is still unresponsive, a full system restart may help:

• Click the Apple menu  and select Restart.
• After rebooting, check if Finder functions properly.

3. Clear Finder Preferences
Corrupt Finder preference files may be causing the issue. Try resetting them:

• Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities).
• Type the following command and press Enter:

            rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

• Restart your Mac to allow macOS to generate a new preference file.

4. Check Disk Permissions and Repair Disk
Disk errors can lead to Finder issues. Use Disk Utility to check and repair your disk:

• Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities).
• Select your Macintosh HD (or main drive).
• Click First Aid, then Run to check and repair disk errors.
• Restart your Mac and test Finder again.

5. Boot into Safe Mode
Safe Mode helps diagnose software conflicts:
Apple Silicon Macs:

• Shut down your Mac completely.
• Hold the Power button until Startup Options appear.
• Select your startup disk, then press and hold Shift while clicking Continue in Safe Mode.

Intel Macs:

• Restart your Mac and immediately press Shift until the Apple logo appears.
• Check if Finder works in Safe Mode. If it does, a third-party app may be causing the issue.

6. Reset the SMC and NVRAM
If Finder is still malfunctioning, resetting your System Management Controller (SMC) and NVRAM might help:
Apple Silicon Macs: Simply restart your Mac (SMC and NVRAM reset automatically).

Intel Macs:
Reset NVRAM: Restart and immediately press Option + Command + P + R until the Mac restarts again.
Reset SMC (for Macs with a T2 chip): Shut down, then press Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds, then release and restart.

7. Create a New User Account

• If the issue persists, test Finder in a new macOS user account:
• Go to System Settings > Users & Groups.
• Click Add Account (+) and create a new user.
• Log in to the new account and check if Finder works. If it does, the problem may be related to your original user profile settings.

Finder not working after a macOS Sequoia upgrade can be frustrating, but these steps should help resolve the issue. If problems persist, consider reaching out to Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for further assistance.