Dock freezing in Mac Sierra 10.12.1
February 27, 2017 3:22 PM Subscribe
I have a 15" Macbook running OSX Sierra v10.12.1. After updating to Sierra, I've been having intermittent (but frequent) issues with the dock temporarily freezing and command+tab not switching applications. Details within.
What happens is that I can't open any applications or folders from the dock for 60-90 seconds. The dock is completely unresponsive. It sometimes freezes mid-animation. During this time, I cannot minimize windows, and I'm unable to switch applications using command+tab. I can switch applications if, say, I'm able to click on the edge of an open browser window or Word document, but all other methods of switching to a window that is not literally visible are out until the thing unfreezes.
It seems to be triggered by specific events, but I can't quite figure out what they all are. Printing is a definite trigger. Also, downloading documents in a web browser and opening them in their native application. Other things, too, because although it seems random, I know it isn't.
It's a serious inconvenience, I'm tired of it, and Googling hasn't led me to a solution. Help?
(One thing I've tried that has NOT worked is forcing Finder to quit and reopening it.)
What happens is that I can't open any applications or folders from the dock for 60-90 seconds. The dock is completely unresponsive. It sometimes freezes mid-animation. During this time, I cannot minimize windows, and I'm unable to switch applications using command+tab. I can switch applications if, say, I'm able to click on the edge of an open browser window or Word document, but all other methods of switching to a window that is not literally visible are out until the thing unfreezes.
It seems to be triggered by specific events, but I can't quite figure out what they all are. Printing is a definite trigger. Also, downloading documents in a web browser and opening them in their native application. Other things, too, because although it seems random, I know it isn't.
It's a serious inconvenience, I'm tired of it, and Googling hasn't led me to a solution. Help?
(One thing I've tried that has NOT worked is forcing Finder to quit and reopening it.)
Response by poster: But it's definitely trackpad-related.
Hmm. I use a magic trackpad at work and the laptop trackpad at home and haven't connected the frustrating behavior to either. I'll watch for that, though.
posted by mudpuppie at 4:03 PM on February 27, 2017
Hmm. I use a magic trackpad at work and the laptop trackpad at home and haven't connected the frustrating behavior to either. I'll watch for that, though.
posted by mudpuppie at 4:03 PM on February 27, 2017
Best answer: Have you tried deleting your Dock preferences from ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock.plist and restarting?
You’ll have to recreate your Dock layout/size/hiding prefs so take a screenshot first.
Does the problem persist in another user account, or only in your main account? (This can be hard to test if it’s intermittent)
posted by bcwinters at 7:21 PM on February 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
You’ll have to recreate your Dock layout/size/hiding prefs so take a screenshot first.
Does the problem persist in another user account, or only in your main account? (This can be hard to test if it’s intermittent)
posted by bcwinters at 7:21 PM on February 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sorry - by "trackpad-related" I mean something that happens when I do something like a three-finger scroll and inadvertantly touch the trackpad with the ball of my thumb. Usually it recovers, sometimes it crashes. I didn't mean the specific physical trackpad necessarily. Probably not helping, sorry.
posted by Grangousier at 1:24 AM on February 28, 2017
posted by Grangousier at 1:24 AM on February 28, 2017
Response by poster: Have you tried deleting your Dock preferences
I did something involving killall Dock back when this all first started, based on suggestions given to people who were having similar (but different) problems. Didn't do anything.
BUT, I just followed the instructions here based on your suggestion and I am cautiously optimistic. I've tried printing and downloading, both of which have been freezing the dock, and didn't have a problem with either. So, fingers crossed! Will come back and mark as best answer if the success persists.
Thanks also for the suggestion to take a screenshot. I wouldn't have thought of it, and I'm really glad I did it.
posted by mudpuppie at 9:00 AM on February 28, 2017
I did something involving killall Dock back when this all first started, based on suggestions given to people who were having similar (but different) problems. Didn't do anything.
BUT, I just followed the instructions here based on your suggestion and I am cautiously optimistic. I've tried printing and downloading, both of which have been freezing the dock, and didn't have a problem with either. So, fingers crossed! Will come back and mark as best answer if the success persists.
Thanks also for the suggestion to take a screenshot. I wouldn't have thought of it, and I'm really glad I did it.
posted by mudpuppie at 9:00 AM on February 28, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Grangousier at 3:54 PM on February 27, 2017