System Preferences Not Responding on Mac: Possible Causes and Solutions

"System Preferences" is an option found in the Apple menu on all Mac models. It's where you go to customize various system settings, such as your Apple ID, network, password, users, security, and privacy preferences.

Are you having issues with the System Preferences on your Mac? Some users have reported encountering an “System Preferences not responding” error on their MacBook Pro/Air.

If the same thing happens to your Mac, you're in the right place. This article will show you 4 practical ways to fix the System Preferences not responding issue:

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Read on for detailed instructions on how to fix unresponsive System Preferences on your Mac.

Possible reasons for Mac System Preferences not responding

You might encounter various error situations with System Preferences not responding on your Mac: System Preferences is busy and won't quit, or it fails to load the Sound/Display/Security & Privacy/Apple ID/Users & Groups preference panes, etc.

"System Preferences" not responding on a Mac can be caused by several factors, including:

Broken Plist File: A Plist file is a text file that stores settings and key data in a format called Property List, usually in XML. Damage to these Plist files can result in this error.

A hard drive error: A temporary glitch or error on your hard drive can also cause system preferences to misbehave. Repairing the disk can fix this problem.

Modifying core files: Some files on your Mac need to remain unaltered. Any formatting or modification to these files can lead to the System Preferences unresponsive error.

Malware: A virus attack can mess up your entire system. You might encounter issues where System Preferences won't respond.

Outdated macOS version: It's crucial to keep your macOS up to date. Otherwise, you might encounter unresponsive System Preferences.

How to fix unresponsive System Preferences issues

Want to know how to fix System Preferences not responding error? We have a video tutorial to help you out.

• 00:11 - Force quit System Preferences
• 00:47 - Restart your Mac
• 01:19 - Disable Screen Time
• 04:30 - Reinstall macOS

There are several solutions to fix this error. Let's explore them:

Fix 1: Force Quit System Preferences

One popular solution to fix the "System Preferences Not Responding" error is to force quit the Mac. You can do this by following these steps:

Step 1: Click the Apple logo.

Step 2: Choose the “Force Quit” option. You can also use the Force Quit Mac shortcut by pressing “Command + Option + Escape.”

Step 3: In the “Force Quit Applications” window, choose “System Preferences.”

Step 4: Click on it and it will show not responding.

Step 5: Wait for another pop-up window to appear.

Step 6: Tap “Force Quit” to confirm that you want to force the app to close.

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Fix 2: Delete the com.apple.systempreferences.plist file

Were you aware that the com.apple.systempreferences.plist file is responsible for saving customized settings of system preferences? Deleting this PLIST file is an excellent approach to resolving the error. Bear in mind that no other harm will occur apart from resetting the application.

To delete the com.apple.systempreferences.plist file, follow these steps:

Step 1: Click on "Finder", then choose "Go".

Step 2: Click “Go to Folder.”

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Step 3: Navigate to the ~/Library/Preferences folder.

Step 4. Find the file called com.apple.systempreferences.plist.

Step 5: Move it to the Mac Trash.

Step 6: Restart your system and then empty the Trash.

Now check if the problem is fixed. Note that if you accidentally deleted important files in the process, you can recover them by reading the article below.

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Fix 3: Restart your Mac in Safe Mode

Restarting your device in Mac Safe Mode is a good way to fix unresponsive System Preferences.

Here are the steps for an Intel-based Mac:

Step 1: Turn off the device.

Step 2: Hold down the Power button and the Shift key.

Step 3. Release the keys when you see the login screen.

For Macs with Apple silicon, follow these steps instead:

Step 1: Turn off the device.

Step 2: Hold down the Power button.

Step 3: Release it when you see the Startup Options screen.

Step 4. Select the boot disk (Macintosh HD).

Step 6: Choose “Continue in Safe Mode.”

Step 7: Release the button.

Now, you need to verify that System Preferences works properly in Safe Mode. If it does, restart your system and begin using it again.

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Fix 4: Reinstall macOS

Lastly, you can try to reinstall macOS to see if the issue is fixed. Follow the steps below:

Step 1. Boot your Mac into Recovery Mode.

Step 2: Wait for the “Utilities” window to appear.

Step 3: Choose “Reinstall macOS.”

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions.

It's essential to understand that reinstalling macOS can lead to data loss. You must opt for professional data recovery software to retrieve that information. In this case, check out the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool.

Mac Data Recovery is a reliable data recovery tool that supports retrieving data after macOS updates, such as recovering lost files after the Monterey update.

Apart from this, it supports recovering files after reinstalling Mac OS X, including recovery of audio, video, email, documents, and more. The user-friendly interface of the software is another plus point.

To quickly recover lost/deleted data, follow these steps:

Step 1. Select the disk from which you lost data after upgrading to macOS Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey. Then, click “Search Lost Files.”

Step 2: The software will immediately scan the disk volume you have chosen, and display the scanning results in the left pane. You can search for your required data on Mac by file type and file path.

Step 3. Select the target files that you might have lost accidentally during or after the update, and then click on the “Recover” button to get them all back.

"Preventive Measures for 'System Preferences Not Responding'"

While you don't have control over the system, here are some general tips that might help you avoid “System Preferences not responding” situations:

Keep your macOS up to date. Restart your Mac occasionally. Close unnecessary apps. Check the compatibility of any software before you install it. Remove unnecessary third-party preference panes.

Conclusion

Are you troubled by the "System Preferences Not Responding" error? Don't worry; this Mac issue is easily fixable, and there are multiple solutions available. You can restart your Mac in Safe Mode or reinstall macOS. You can also delete the com.apple.systempreferences.plist file or force quit System Preferences.

But you must also consider the possibility of data loss. The best solution in this case is to opt for Mac Data Recovery Wizard. It's an excellent and user-friendly data recovery software that can easily restore various types of data.

"Frequently Asked Questions about 'System Preferences Not Responding'"

For more information about the "System Preferences is not responding" error, review the questions and answers listed below:

1. Why does my Mac say “System Settings” instead of “System Preferences”?

Your Mac shows "System Settings" instead of "System Preferences" because it has been updated to macOS Ventura. In this version, "System Settings" has replaced the previous "System Preferences."

**2. How to Force Quit System Preferences on a Mac?** Here's how to force quit System Preferences on your Mac: 1. **Using the Force Quit menu:** - Press `Command + Option + Esc` to open the "Force Quit" window. - Locate "System Preferences" in the list. - Click on it and then click "Force Quit." 2. **Through Activity Monitor:** - Open Finder, then navigate to the "Applications" folder. - Find and open the "Utilities" folder. - Here, launch "Activity Monitor." - In the left sidebar of Activity Monitor, search for the "System Preferences" process. - Select it and then click the "X" button in the top-left corner (or press `Command + Q`) to force quit. 3. **Terminal Command:** - Open the "Terminal" application (found in the "Utilities" folder). - Type the following command and press Enter: ``` killall System Preferences ``` This will terminate the running "System Preferences" app. Please note that force quitting may result in lost unsaved data. Before attempting these methods, make sure you haven't made any important settings changes.

Here's how to force-quit System Preferences on a Mac:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon, then choose “Force Quit.” You can also press “Command + Option + Escape.”

Step 2: When the “Force Quit Applications” window opens, select “System Preferences.” Clicking on it will show that it's not responding.

Step 3. Wait for another pop-up window to appear. It will ask you to confirm. Click “Force Quit” to confirm.

3. How do I reset the System Preferences on my Mac?

To reset your system preferences on a Mac, first click the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.” From there, click “Erase All Content and Settings.”

4. Why aren't System Preferences working on my Mac?

There can be various reasons why System Preferences on a Mac might not work, such as corrupted PLIST files, an outdated operating system, or a malware attack. Other causes might include disk errors, modification of critical files, or issues with third-party preferences panes.