"Resolve Finder Not Responding Issue After Upgrading to Sonoma with 5 Effective Solutions"

macOS Sonoma brings numerous new features and improvements; however, with any software update, it can occasionally lead to unforeseen issues. Users have reported that the Finder becomes unresponsive after upgrading to Sonoma.

Since the Finder is the cornerstone of macOS, overseeing file management and navigation, any malfunctioning can disrupt your productivity.

This tutorial will delve into the reasons behind Finder not responding after upgrading to macOS Sonoma and present five efficient solutions to resolve the issue. Whether you're a tech-savvy individual or a beginner, we've got you covered with ways to get your Finder functioning smoothly again. Let's explore!

• Fix 1. Force Quit Finder
• Fix 2. Restart Your Mac
• Fix 3. Delete the Finder Preferences File
• Fix 4. Restart Mac in Safe Mode
• Fix 5. Downgrade from macOS Monterey to Ventura

Why is the Finder Not Responding After Upgrading to macOS Sonoma?

Upon upgrading to macOS Sonoma, certain users have encountered issues with the Finder not functioning properly. This essential application, responsible for managing files and navigating the Mac's file system, becomes unresponsive, significantly impacting the user experience.

There could be multiple reasons why the Finder stops functioning after installing the Sonoma update. Corrupted system files, incompatibilities with third-party applications, and even underlying hardware issues are potential culprits. These issues might manifest as unresponsive windows, spinning beachballs, or apps not functioning on Sonoma, thereby hindering the proper usage of your Mac.

In the upcoming sections, we'll explore five proven methods to address this issue, offering tips to restore your Finder and ensure your Mac operates smoothly once more.

How to fix the issue of Finder not responding after upgrading to Sonoma?

Upon identifying the reasons behind the Finder malfunctioning after a macOS Sonoma update, it is essential to explore alternative solutions. Below, we will discuss two significant remedies that could assist in resolving this issue. Bear in mind that you may need to allow your system some time to process the instructions between these steps.

Solution 1: Force Quit Finder

If Finder becomes unresponsive following the Sonoma update, you can force it to close. Here's how: 1. **Open the Apple Menu**: Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen. 2. **Select "Force Quit"**: From the drop-down menu, choose "Force Quit." 3. **Pick Finder**: In the Force Quit Applications window that comes up, find "Finder" among the running apps. 4. **Click "Force Quit"**: Hit the "Force Quit" button to close Finder. 5. **Restart Finder**: To restart it, either click on its icon in the Dock or go back to the Apple Menu and select "Force Quit" once more. This time, select "Finder" from the list, but instead of "Force Quit," click "Relaunch." Following these steps should let you forcefully close and restart Finder if it's acting up after the Sonoma update.

Step 1. Press "Option + Command + Escape" to open the "Force Quit Applications" window.

Step 2. Select "Finder" from the list of available applications.

Step 3. Click the "Force Quit" button at the bottom of the window.

The Finder should shut down and restart automatically. Verify if the issue has been resolved.

Translation to English:

Force Quit Not Functioning on MacBook Pro/Air

This article explores effective solutions to resolve the issue of Force Quit not working on your Mac. Read more >>

Solution 2: Restart Your Mac

A quick restart might fix Finder issues. To restart your device, follow these steps:

Step 1. Choose Apple from the top-left menu.

Step 2. Choose "Restart" from the dropdown menu.

Step 3. Click "Restart" in the confirmation dialog to proceed.

Your Mac will restart; ideally, the Finder should now behave as intended.

Fix 3: Delete the Finder Preferences File

To address the unresponsiveness issue, we need to utilize the Finder's preferences. However, it's crucial to proceed with caution as incorrect steps might lead to data loss or unintentional corruption of vital files.

Suppose any critical data is accidentally deleted or becomes inaccessible during the process. We recommend utilizing professional data recovery software such as tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro to retrieve your lost data.

Advanced Data Recovery software can restore permanently deleted files on Mac and retrieve lost data resulting from system crashes, file deletion, and data corruption.

Both novices and professionals can benefit from its user-friendly interface. If you have accidentally lost data while attempting to fix the Finder, the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro can be of assistance. It is capable of retrieving various types of files from your Mac's storage, such as documents, images, videos, and more. Here are the steps you can follow: 1. Download and install the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro on your Mac. 2. Launch the application and select the type of data you wish to recover (documents, photos, videos, etc.). 3. Choose the location where the files were originally stored. This could be your internal hard drive, an external drive, or even a memory card. 4. Initiate the scan by clicking on the "Scan" button. The software will thoroughly search for deleted or lost files in the selected location. 5. Wait for the scanning process to complete. This may take some time depending on the size of the storage device. 6. Once the scan is finished, preview the recoverable files in the results list. You can filter and search for specific files if needed. 7. Select the files you want to recover and click on the "Recover" button to save them to a safe location on your Mac. 8. Avoid saving the recovered files in the same location from which they were lost, to prevent potential overwriting. Remember that timely recovery increases the chances of successfully retrieving your lost data.

Step 1. Search for missing files

Choose the disk location to search for missing files (this can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device) on macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and the most recent Sonoma. Click the "Search for lost files" button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended to click "Disk Backup" from the left sidebar to create a backup of your Mac to prevent further data loss. Once backed up, the software can retrieve data from the Mac backup, and your computer can proceed to write new data.

Step 2. Review the scanning results

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results.

Step 3. Select the file(s) and recover Select the desired file(s) you wish to recover from the list provided, then proceed with the recovery process.

In the scan results, select the file(s) you wish to preview and click the "Recover" button to retrieve them.

Remember that prevention is better than cure. Always create backups of your crucial data before attempting any system updates or modifications to ensure your data is safe and easily recoverable in case of unforeseen data loss.

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Solution 4: Restart your Mac in Safe Mode

If the aforementioned solutions fail to resolve the Finder's unresponsiveness after upgrading to Sonoma, restart your Mac in Safe Mode. Safe Mode boots your Mac with only essential system extensions and drivers, aiding in identifying and isolating the issue. Follow these steps to do so:

Step 1. Go to the Apple menu and select "Shut Down".

Step 2. Hold down the "Shift" key while pressing the power button.

Step 3. When you see the Apple logo or a spinning gear, release the "Shift" key.

Step 4. When you log in, your Mac starts up in Safe Mode. The top-right corner of the screen displays "Safe Boot."

In Safe Mode, your Mac does a directory check on your startup disk and only loads essential system apps. If the Finder starts working properly in Safe Mode, that indicates a third-party app or plugin could be the culprit. From there, you'd move forward with troubleshooting by identifying and uninstalling any problematic apps.

Solution 5: Downgrade from macOS Ventura to Sonoma

If you've attempted all the previous solutions and the Finder still doesn't respond after upgrading to macOS Sonoma, you might consider rolling back to a more stable version, like macOS Ventura. This process is somewhat intricate, so ensure you backup your data first. To learn how to downgrade from macOS Sonoma to Ventura, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a full backup of your data before downgrading the operating system. Use Time Machine or data recovery software for this purpose.

Step 2. Navigate to the Apple Store to download the macOS Ventura installer.

Step 3. Do not open the downloaded file. If it starts automatically, click "File" and then "Quit." The Ventura installer will now appear in your Applications folder.

Step 4. Connect a USB drive and label it 'Ventura Installer'.

Step 5. Open Terminal by navigating to Applications > Utilities. In Terminal, replace [MyVolume] with the name of your USB drive: sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume.

Step 6. Press "Return" to execute the command. Close the "Terminal" window after the installation is verified.

Step 7. From the Apple menu, choose "System Settings > General > Startup Disk," and then select the Ventura Installer.

Step 8. Shut down your Mac and restart it in Recovery Mode.

Step 9. In macOS Utilities, select "Disk Utility." Choose "Erase" on your Mac's startup disk. Follow the on-screen instructions to erase the disk.

Step 10. Quit Disk Utility and select "Reinstall macOS Ventura".

If none of the above solutions have resolved the Finder unresponsiveness issue, you can consider downgrading your macOS version as a last resort. It's crucial to ensure data backup and maintenance before proceeding with this step.

Conclusion

Experiencing unresponsiveness in Finder after upgrading to macOS Sonoma can indeed be frustrating, but there are numerous practical solutions to address this issue. Depending on the severity of the problem, users have a range of options, from force quitting Finder to updating to a more stable version of macOS. However, it's essential to begin with the simplest remedies and proceed to more advanced solutions only if necessary.

Furthermore, it's essential to consistently prioritize data backup to safeguard crucial information throughout the troubleshooting process. By adhering to these steps, users can regain control of the Finder and enjoy a smoother macOS experience. For data recovery needs, consider using reliable tools like Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro, which specializes in retrieving lost data.

"Finder Not Responding After Updating to Sonoma: Frequently Asked Questions"

Here are some challenges users might encounter with the Finder after upgrading to macOS Sonoma:

1. Why is my Finder not responding? This issue could be due to several reasons. Here's how you can troubleshoot: 1. **Force Quit**: Press `Command + Option + Esc` on your keyboard, select "Finder" from the list that appears, and click "Force Quit." This will forcibly close the Finder, and it should restart automatically. 2. **Restart Your Mac**: Sometimes, a simple restart can fix the problem. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner, choose "Restart," and wait for your Mac to boot up again. 3. **Update macOS**: Make sure your macOS is up to date. Go to "System Preferences," then "Software Update" to check for any available updates. 4. **Reset SMC and NVRAM**: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) and Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM) can resolve hardware-related issues. Follow [Apple's official instructions](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295) for your specific Mac model. 5. **Check for Malware**: Although rare, malware could cause this issue. Run a scan with an antivirus software to ensure your system is clean. 6. **Repair Disk Permissions**: Open "Disk Utility" (found in /Applications/Utilities), select your startup disk, click "First Aid," and then "Run." 7. **Reinstall macOS**: If none of the above works, you might need to reinstall macOS while preserving your files and settings. Boot into Recovery Mode by restarting your Mac and holding down `Command + R` during startup, then choose "Reinstall macOS." If the problem persists, consider contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Authorized Service Provider for professional assistance.

Incompatibility issues with programs, corrupted settings, or system malfunctions can lead to an unresponsive Finder. This often occurs after the macOS Monterey update, which might introduce compatibility challenges. To resolve this issue, you can forcibly close the Finder, restart your Mac, and remove Finder preferences.

2. How do I perform a force reset on my Finder?

Follow these steps to forcefully reset the Finder on macOS: 1. Press and hold the following three keys together: Command + Option + Shift. 2. While holding the keys, click on the Finder icon in the Dock. 3. Keep holding the keys until the Finder window disappears and a new one appears. 4. Release the keys. The Finder has now been reset. This process forces the Finder to restart, which can help resolve any issues or glitches it might be experiencing.

Step 1. Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner and select "Force Quit".

Step 2. In the Force Quit Applications box, choose "Finder".

Step 3. Choose the "Re-launch" option.

This will relaunch the Finder and potentially resolve the unresponsiveness issue. If the problem persists, attempt other solutions suggested in the article, such as restarting your Mac in Safe Mode or rolling back to a more stable macOS version.