3 Best Fixes for Launchpad Not Working on Mac

Paurush dabbles around iOS and Mac while his close encounters are with Android and Windows. Before becoming a writer, he produced videos for brands like Mr. Phone and Digit. On weekends, he is a full-time cinephile trying to reduce his never-ending watchlist, often making it longer.

Basic Fixes

Fix 1: Delete Launchpad Preference Files

Preference files in macOS are like app cache that gets stored over time. These files are the rules or parameters that dictate the working of apps on your Mac. So, if theLaunchpadis not opening or showing on your Mac, you can start by deleting its Preference files. These files may have been corrupted, causing issues with Launchpad.

Step 1:On your Mac home screen, click onGo > Go to Folder.

Step 2:Type~/Libraryin the Search bar and then pressReturn.

Step 3:In the Library window, click on theApplication Support folderfrom the list of folders.

Step 4:Click theDock folderfrom the list of folders.

Step 5:Select all the files ending with‘.db’and thendelete them.

Step 6:Close the window and thenempty the Trash Bin.

Step 7:Once done,restart your Mac.

Fix 3: Reset Launchpad Using Terminal

Another way to reset the Launchpad is using the Terminal app on your Mac. You can change the performance of your Mac or make system-level changes to your Mac using Terminal. It will also help in resetting the Launchpad. One wrong command can cause harm to the everyday performance of your Mac.

Step 1:OpenTerminal > Type the following commandand then pressReturn.

Step 2:After running the command, close Terminal andrestartyour Mac.

Fix 3: Use Safe Mode

The last solution that we recommend is booting your Mac in Safe Mode. This built-in troubleshooting method for Macs prevents third-party app interference and loads only system apps on startup. You can try this if none of the solutions have worked for you so far.

For Mac with M-Series Chip

Step 1:Shut down your Mac.

Step 2:After your Mac shuts down, press and hold the Power Button till you see the two startup options –Macintosh HD and Options.

Step 3:Select Macintosh HD while holding the Shift key and then selectContinue in Safe Mode.

For Mac with Intel Chip

Step 1:Restart your Mac.

Step 2:Press and hold the Shift keywhen your Mac restarts.Release the Shift keywhen you see the login window.

Step 3:Sign in and check if the problem is solved.

Tip:We have prepared a list of solutions to detect andfix issues with Spotlight Search on your Mac. These solutions apply to all Mac models, including iMac, Mac Studio, and MacBooks.

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Last updated on 30 July, 2024

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