Written by
Connie Yang
Summary: This guide helps troubleshoot Paragon NTFS for Mac not working issues caused by software bugs, security flaws, or incorrect settings. For a more stable, secure, bug-free, and easy-to-use alternative, try iBoysoft NTFS for Mac.
Paragon NTFS for Mac promises high performance for reading and writing NTFS drives on Mac, but it doesn't always deliver. If you've encountered the Paragon NTFS for Mac not working issue, you're not alone.
To help you work better with Paragon NTFS for Mac and manage NTFS drives more effectively, we will share our troubleshooting process based on real experiences. Follow these steps with confidence to resolve any problems you've encountered.
Why is Paragon NTFS not working on my Mac?
Paragon NTFS for Mac requires activation and specific settings before it functions properly. If Paragon NTFS for Mac is not working on your Mac, common reasons include:
- The application hasn't been activated.
- The System Extension for the Paragon NTFS driver hasn't been enabled.
- You're using an outdated version of Paragon NTFS.
- The software has compatibility issues, security restrictions, or bugs.
So, ensuring activation, updating the software, and adjusting macOS security settings can help resolve these issues.
Go to help others analyse why Paragon NTFS for Mac is read-only, not mounting, or not working on Mac.
Paragon NTFS for Mac not working, what to do?
The Paragon NTFS for Mac not working issues vary depending on your system and setup. We have put together the most common problems you might encounter when using the driver:
⚠️ The Paragon NTFS driver requires reducing the security settings for Apple silicon Macs, or else it won't work.
⚠️ Paragon NTFS for Mac results in a crash loop on a Mac Mini running Sequoia.
⚠️ Paragon NTFS for Mac is not mounting NTFS drives on Mac.
⚠️ Paragon NTFS for Mac is not working after an update.
⚠️ Even with Paragon NTFS for Mac, NTFS drives remain read-only on Mac.
But no matter which scenario you are in, we've got solutions. If you know the cause, jump to the relevant fix below. Otherwise, troubleshoot the Paragon NTFS for Mac not working issue with these methods in order.
Make sure you've enabled the Paragon NTFS driver and granted it full disk access
Have you followed the on-screen instructions to install Paragon NTFS for Mac and granted it full disk access on your Mac? If not, that could be why Paragon NTFS for Mac is not working on your Mac.
To ensure Paragon NTFS functions properly, follow these steps to enable the driver and grant it full access:
Note: If you're concerned about security or find Paragon NTFS for Mac too complicated, you might prefer a more user-friendly and Apple-trusted alternative, such as iBoysoft NTFS for Mac.
- Click the Apple menu > System Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security.
- Scroll down to find the Security section and allow your Mac to run the Paragon NTFS driver.
- Restart your Mac as the Paragon NTFS driver requires you to do so.
- Back to the Privacy & Security pane, click "Full Disk Access" and enable com.paragon-software.
- Open the Login Items pane in System Settings and turn on kextload, NTFS for Mac, and Paragon NTFS for Mac in the " Allow in the Background" section.
Restart your Mac
If Paragon NTFS for Mac still isn't working after following the on-screen instructions, try restarting your Mac. Sometimes, temporary system or software bugs can prevent it from running properly, and a simple restart may resolve the issue.
Check the software's activation status
If you come across a web page that claims Paragon NTFS for Mac is free, be careful of its authenticity. To use the software, you must purchase a $29.95 license key for activation.
If you've activated Paragon, check if the license is expired or invalid.
If you think Paragon NTFS for Mac is too expensive or difficult to use, consider a better and more affordable alternative—iBoysoft NTFS for Mac. Priced at $19.95, it offers higher performance and can automatically mount NTFS drives in full read-write mode on your Mac, making NTFS management more effortless.
Make sure you're using the latest version
If Paragon NTFS for Mac stops working after a macOS update, first check whether it's compatible with the new macOS version. If it's not, look for an updated version of Paragon NTFS.
Keeping Paragon NTFS for Mac up to date ensures it runs smoothly and maintains compatibility with your system.
Reduce the security settings
We've found that Paragon NTFS for Mac works well on Intel-based Macs. However, it requires lowering the security settings to function properly on M1, M2, M3, and M4 Macs.
This is the statement from Paragon Software: For our driver components to work on Apple Silicon-based Mac, it's required to set a "Reduced security" policy.
If Paragon NTFS for Mac isn't performing on your Mac, check if your device has an Apple Silicon chip in "About This Mac." If it does, you should lower the security settings to enable Paragon's extensions.
- Enter macOS Recovery mode.
- Click "Utilities" on the menu bar and select "Startup Security Utility."
- Choose "Reduced Security" and "Allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers."
We tested this. However, it led to an infernal crash loop on our Mac. Users in Reddit forums have discussed similar issues, too. If you worry about the potential risks of lowering your Mac's security settings, we recommend trying a more secure NTFS driver instead.
Switch to a more stable and secure alternative
If, despite your efforts, Paragon NTFS for Mac isn't mounting NTFS drives in read-write mode or isn't working properly, it may be time to switch to a different NTFS mounter.
iBoysoft NTFS for Mac is a more advanced and secure NTFS driver. It automatically mounts NTFS drives in full read-write mode as long as they are connected to your Mac.
Most importantly, this software is fully compatible with Apple silicon Macs. It won't require you to reduce security when running on M1, M2, M3, and M4 Macs.
Download the software and grant it full disk access in System Settings with the on-screen guide. Then, you can move files to or edit files on your NTFS drives on your Mac.
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