Solving the Issue of Mac Finder Not Showing Files or Folders [2024]

Is your Mac Finder not showing files? If so, you've come to the right place! The Finder app is the most used and feature-packed built-in utility on a Mac. Its localized utility helps you locate and organize files and folders stored on your macOS operating system.

The problem arises when the Mac's Finder doesn't show folders, even when they exist. How do you find files on Mac that aren't showing? This article will walk you through five clever ways to resolve the issue. But before we dive into the fixes, let's first explore some reasons why the Mac's Finder may not display your folders:

Solution 1: Recover Lost Files from Mac Finder Using Recovery Software If you've lost files in Mac's Finder, you can try using data recovery software to retrieve them. Here are the steps to follow: 1. **Choose the Right Software**: There are several reliable data recovery tools available, such as Disk Drill, tools Data Recovery Wizard, or Stellar Data Recovery. Make sure to select one that is reputable and compatible with your Mac. 2. **Download and Install**: Visit the official website of the software you've chosen, download the Mac-compatible version, and follow the installation wizard's instructions to complete the setup. 3. **Run the Software**: Open the installed recovery software, which usually has an intuitive user interface. 4. **Scan for Lost Files**: In the software, select the disk or partition where the lost files were (typically your Mac's main hard drive). Initiate a thorough scan to locate the missing files. 5. **Preview and Recover**: After the scan, the software will display the found files. You can preview these items and then select the ones you wish to recover. Click the "Recover" button to save them to a secure location. Please note that data recovery isn't always 100% successful, especially if files have been overwritten or corrupted. Therefore, it's best to regularly back up important files to prevent unintentional loss.

It is one of the best ways to fix can't find file on Mac issue using a powerful recovery tool that supports macOS 10.9 to the latest macOS Sonoma. The Mac Pro Data Recovery Wizard Tool is an all-in-one solution for Macintosh file recovery. No other file or folder retrieval utility is as easy to use as this one.

Regardless of the reason for data loss, such as accidental deletion, corruption, or unintended formatting, this tool can help retrieve lost files. Key features of this data recovery software include:

• Supports recovery of various file types and systems, including NTFS recovery on Mac.
• Recover deleted files on Mac, and retrieve data from almost all storage devices.
• Restore deleted folders on Mac, with the option to preview files and folders before recovery.

With such advanced data retrieval software as Mac Data Recovery Wizard, you can restore data lost accidentally when other options won't work. Check out the detailed tutorial below to learn how to find files not showing in Finder:

Step 1: Search for the Missing File

Select the disk location on your macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, or the latest Sonoma where you lost the files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device). Then, click the “Search Lost Files” button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended that you click “Disk Backup” from the left sidebar to back up your Mac to prevent further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from the Mac backup, and your computer can write new data again.

Step 2: Browse the scan results

Run Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, and the utility will immediately scan the disk volume you've chosen and display the scanning results.

Step 3: Select the files to be recovered

From the scan results, select the files you want to preview and then click the “Recover” button to get them back.

Download this professional tool right now! If you liked this article, don't forget to share it with your friends on social media.

Fix 2: Restart Finder to Fix Mac Finder Not Showing Files/Folders Issue

If your MacBook isn't showing files and the Finder is running slow, try restarting the Finder on your Mac with these steps.

Step 1. Use the keyboard shortcut: “Command + Option + Escape.”

Step 2: Scroll down to the bottom of the page, and look for the “Force Stop” option.

Step 3: Click on the “Finder” option.

4. Click Restart in the bottom-right corner of the window.

Click the “Relaunch” button to proceed

If Finder won't quit, you can force it to close instead. The following article will teach you five ways to force quit apps on a Mac:

Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.

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Fix 3: Show Hidden Files and Folders in Finder

To safeguard your device, Apple hides file types on a MacBook by default. However, you might need to find these hidden files later to check if they're causing issues with your MacBook. To temporarily show hidden files and unhide folders on your Mac, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the "Finder" app.

Step 2: Click on “Macintosh HD,” and then click on “Home.”

Press Command+Shift+.

Now, all hidden files on your MacBook should be visible. One of the best ways to show hidden files on a Mac is by using Terminal. The detailed steps to display hidden files are as follows:

Step 1: Open Terminal.

Open Terminal on your Mac by following these steps: 1. Click on the **Apple menu** in the top-left corner of your screen. 2. Select **System Preferences**. 3. Click on **Users & Groups**. 4. Click the **Lock icon** in the bottom left to make changes. 5. Enter your **password** and click **Unlock**. 6. Choose your user account by clicking on the **arrow** next to your name. 7. Check the box next to **Allow users to administer this Mac**. 8. Click **OK** and then close the **System Preferences** window. 9. Launch **Finder**. 10. Click on **Applications** in the left sidebar. 11. Scroll down and double-click on **Utilities**. 12. Locate and double-click on **Terminal**. Here's a visual representation of the process:

Step 2. Type in the following script:

Fix 4: Rebuild the Spotlight index

When the Mac's Finder can't show you the file you're looking for, it's reasonable to assume that rebuilding the Spotlight index might help, since the Finder uses Spotlight to find your files. To do this:

Step 1: Click the Apple menu and choose System Preferences from the drop-down menu.

Step 2: Tap “Siri & Search,” and then, in the Spotlight settings screen, choose “Spotlight Privacy” in the bottom-right corner.

Step 3: Disable the “Focus on” option for those locations, and then click the “+” button to add them back.

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Fix 5: Update macOS to address Finder issues

If you've tried the above and Finder is still unresponsive, it could be due to an issue or bug with the version of macOS your Mac is using. If this describes your situation, you can fix Finder errors by updating macOS. Here's how:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon > System Preferences.

Step 3: Click "Update Now" or "Restart Now" to perform a routine update on your MacBook. If it says an upgrade is available, click "Learn More" to see if the new version has any significant updates.

If no updates appear in this window, you can try other ways to update your Mac, or read on for more information:

Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you.

What Should I Do When My Mac Says No Update Available?

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Conclusions

Figuring out why Mac Finder is not showing files can be a bit tricky, but there's no need to panic. This article provides you with five solutions to fix the issue. Try them out right away without delay! One of the best solutions to fix Mac Finder not showing folders is by using a Mac data recovery wizard tool that helps recover various types of data deleted accidentally.

"Finder" is the file management tool in macOS. If you can't locate a file or folder in Finder, it could be due to several reasons. Here are some common issues and solutions: 1. **Check Hidden Files**: In Finder, press `Command + Shift + .` (period) to show hidden files and folders. 2. **Search Function**: Use the search bar at the top of Finder to input the name of the file or folder to see if it appears. 3. **View Options**: Make sure your view settings are correct. From the Finder menu bar, choose "View" > "Show View Options," then select List, Icon, Column, or Cover Flow view. 4. **Correct Location**: Confirm you're looking in the right folder. For instance, if you're searching on the "Desktop," but the file might actually be in "Documents" or "Downloads." 5. **Disk Space**: If your hard drive is full, new files may not be visible. Clear out unnecessary files to free up space. 6. **System Issues**: Sometimes, Finder can malfunction. Restart your Mac or force quit Finder (using the "Force Quit" application), then reopen it. 7. **Permissions**: Ensure you have access to specific files or folders. Select the file in Finder, then click "File" > "Get Info" to view permission settings. 8. **Software Conflicts**: Some third-party apps can interfere with Finder. Try starting your Mac in Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. 9. **Update System**: Make sure your macOS is up to date. Older versions might have known issues. 10. **Contact Apple Support**: If none of these steps help, you might need to contact official Apple Support or a professional technician for diagnosis. Examine these possibilities based on your specific situation, and hopefully, this information will be of assistance!

If files and folders are now showing in the Finder, see these additional questions for more information about the topic:

1. Why can't I see my files in the Mac Finder?

Click “Preferences” from the Finder menu, and pull it down. At the top row of the Preferences dialog box, select “Sidebar.” Choose the items you want to display in every Finder window's sidebar by checking the boxes next to them. You can minimize the Finder Preferences window and continue working.

How do I show hidden files and folders in the Finder?

Go to the folder where your encoded file is stored. Press Command + Shift + . Now you can see hidden files. Press Command + Shift + . again to hide these files once more.

3. How to Find Deleted Files in Finder?

Press the Command, Shift, and Period (or Comma) keys on your keyboard to reveal hidden Finder data. If you accidentally deleted a file from the Finder, you can search the Trash for it. If the Trash is empty or missing the lost file, you can use Time Machine to recover documents that were deleted from the Finder.

How do I restart the Finder on a Mac?

There are two ways to restart the Finder on a Mac. First, open the Finder, then click on the Apple icon, hold down the "Shift" key on your keyboard, and click "Force Quit Finder." Alternatively, hold down the "alt/option" keys, right-click on the Finder icon in the Dock, and select "Relaunch."