Quick Summary
Error -50 on macOS usually indicates an issue with file or directory access permissions. It suggests the system is unable to find the specified file or directory, or doesn't have the necessary permissions to access it.
Common Causes
- Incorrect File Path: The application is attempting to access a file or directory using an incorrect path. This could be due to a typo in the file name or the path itself has changed (e.g., file moved).
- Insufficient Permissions: The user account running the application does not have read, write, or execute permissions for the file or directory being accessed. This is a frequent problem after system upgrades or when copying files from one Volume to another.
- File Corruption: The file itself might be corrupted, making it unreadable. File corruption can occur due to disk errors, interrupted transfers, or software bugs.
- File Does Not Exist: The program is referencing a file that has been deleted or moved, and thus can no longer be found in the specified location.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Method 1: Verify File Path and Existence
Step 1: Double-check the file path specified by the application and ensure it is correct, paying close attention to case sensitivity.
Step 2: Use Finder to manually navigate to the directory and verify that the file exists in the expected location and that the filename is correct.
Method 2: Check and Repair File Permissions
Step 1: Locate the file or folder in Finder. Right-click (or Ctrl-click) on the item and select 'Get Info'.
Step 2: In the 'Sharing & Permissions' section, ensure your user account has 'Read & Write' privileges. If not, unlock the padlock icon (if present; you'll need administrator credentials) and change your permissions.
Step 3: If you have sufficient permissions, but the problem persists, try using Disk Utility to repair disk permissions. Open Disk Utility (found in /Applications/Utilities) and select your startup disk. Click 'First Aid' and then 'Run' to repair permissions or other disk errors.
Method 3: Recover from Backup or Reinstall
Step 1: If you have a recent backup of your system (Time Machine or another backup solution), restore the file or directory from the backup.
Step 2: If the file is part of an application, try reinstalling the application. This can often replace corrupted files and correct incorrect file paths.
Method 4: Run First Aid in Disk Utility
Step 1: Open Disk Utility (located in /Applications/Utilities/).
Step 2: Select the volume that contains the affected file or directory in the left sidebar.
Step 3: Click the 'First Aid' button.
Step 4: Click 'Run' to start the disk repair process. Follow any on-screen prompts. Warning: Running Disk Utility can sometimes lead to data loss if your drive is severely damaged. Back up your important data before running First Aid.