Written by
Yvonne FengSummary: Why Mac can't click on desktop icons? We will tell you the answer in this post. Moreover, we provide several proven solutions to help you fix this problem. - From iBoysoft
Your Mac can't click on desktop icons? It might be because the icons are stuck on the Mac desktop. Actually, these files, folders, or shortcuts are still present on your Mac, so you don't need to worry about Mac desktop icons disappearing or being deleted.
Whether you're looking for the reasons behind Mac can't click on desktop icons or solutions to fix the issue, this article explains the possible causes and provides effective methods to resolve it. Keep reading to learn more!
Why can't I click on my desktop Mac?
When an issue such as Mac can't click on desktop icons occurs, the desktop icons may appear frozen, unresponsive, or locked in the following ways:
- The icon cannot be moved: Dragging the icon to the new position is invalid, the icon is fixed in the original position.
- Click no response: Click or double-click the icon that does not have any response, and can not open or activate the file.
- Unable to bring up the right-click menu: The right-click (or hold down the Control key and click) icon does not display the context menu.
- Finder-related issues: The Finder may become unresponsive or crash intermittently, resulting in abnormal desktop functionality.
This is usually caused by Finder failures, system permission issues, or software conflicts. But don't worry, with a few simple troubleshooting steps, this issue can be easily resolved in most cases.
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Mac can't click on desktop icons, how to fix it?
There are various reasons why a Mac can't click on desktop icons, so the solution may vary. However, the following proven methods should be enough to help you resolve the issue.
Six methods are provided below to help you fix the Mac can't click on desktop icons issue.
- Restart Mac
- Check Desktop Icon Settings
- Check Mouse or Trackpad Settings
- Check File Permissions
- Start Mac in Safe Mode
- Reset NVRAM/PRAM
Restart Mac
Sometimes, system caches or temporary files can cause desktop icons to become unresponsive. Restarting the Mac is one of the simplest and most effective methods to clear temporary glitches and cache, and reload the operating system and its components. Many issues, such as frozen or sluggish system applications, can be resolved after a restart.
After restarting, try clicking on the desktop icons again to see if the issue has been resolved. If you still can't click on anything on your desktop Mac, continue with the following methods.
Check Desktop Icon Settings
The Stacks feature in macOS automatically organizes files and icons on the desktop. If Stacks is enabled, the icons may appear unresponsive to dragging or clicking, and some icons may even be hidden. Disabling this feature can sometimes resolve issues with unclickable icons.
- Right-click on an empty area of the desktop and locate the Use Stacks option.
- If it is checked, uncheck the option.
After disabling the Stacks feature, the icons will display normally and become interactive again.
Check Mouse or Trackpad Settings
The settings of your mouse or trackpad can affect the speed or responsiveness of clicks. If double-clicking or single-clicking is unresponsive, it might be because the settings are too fast or too slow. Adjusting the mouse or trackpad settings can resolve this issue.
- Open System Settings, then select Mouse or Trackpad.
- Adjust the Click speed and Double-click speed settings to ensure they are neither too fast nor too slow.
After checking the mouse or trackpad settings, you should be able to click on desktop icons normally again.
Check File Permissions
If the files or folders on your desktop don't have the correct access permissions, it can prevent you from clicking or opening the icons. For example, the file permissions might be set to read-only or no access. Checking and fixing the permission issues can restore normal access to the icons.
How to do it:
- Find the unclickable icon on your desktop, right-click, and select Get Info.
- Scroll down to the Sharing & Permissions section and ensure you have Read & Write access. If not, click the lock icon and enter the administrator password to make changes.
Start Mac in Safe Mode
In Safe Mode, macOS loads only the minimal system components and disables unnecessary third-party software. This helps diagnose and resolve desktop issues caused by software conflicts. If the desktop icons are clickable in Safe Mode, the problem might be related to a third-party application.
- Shut down your Mac and press the power button to turn it off.
- Press and hold the Shift key while restarting the Mac, and continue holding it until you see the login screen.
- After logging in, check if the desktop icons are clickable.
Safe Mode can help you rule out desktop icon issues caused by third-party software and confirm if a software conflict is the cause. After starting in Safe Mode, you can test again to see if the desktop icons are clickable.
Reset NVRAM/PRAM
Resetting NVRAM/PRAM can solve many problems caused by faulty system Settings, especially when desktop icons don't click or the Finder doesn't work properly. NVRAM and PRAM store some important system Settings, and wrong Settings can cause such problems.
To reset NVRAM/PRAM, you should first turn off the Mac, then hold down the four keys Option + Command + P + R. When booting your Mac, continue to hold down these four keys until you hear the boot tone twice or see the Apple logo disappear and reappear.
After resetting NVRAM/PRAM, macOS will revert to the default hardware Settings, usually resolving the issue of desktop icons not being clickable.
Can the above six methods help you solve the problem? Share them with your friends!
