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User profile for user: labelmepurple
labelmepurple Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Why does my desktop menu no longer work when I change my desktop picture?

This is an issue I've had since the Sierra OS version. I'm now on Catalina 10.15.1 and this issue is still there. I never used the other OS versions.

The issue happens when I change my desktop photo to something other than a photo in the default folders for the Mac. The main menu (where the Apple icon is) in the upper left corner no longer functions. It's there, but nothing happens at all when I click on any of the options in the menu. I have to open a 2nd window where they work fine. But, the menu works on the 1st (and any other open screen) when I'm in a browser. So odd.

Besides not being able to personalize my desktop photo, is there any other thing I'm missing or can do to make this not be a problem?

(Mac 27" Late 2012)

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Nov 10, 2019 11:19 AM

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User profile for user: leroydouglas
leroydouglas
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
188,280 points

Posted on Nov 10, 2019 11:57 AM

To get a good look at your System config. for conflicts or issues, you can run this utility http://etrecheck.com

If you need help interpreting the report you can post it here in its entirety in the "Additional Text" box in the editing toolbar below, in your reply.



To trouble shoot further you can:


Try a SafeBoot https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

Takes noticeable longer to get to the login screen, does a 5-15 minute disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, including dynamic loader cache, etc. Login and test. Reboot and test.

This test will tell you if third party interference; extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.


Test issue in another user (or guest user) account  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204443

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 


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User profile for user: leroydouglas
leroydouglas
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
188,280 points

Nov 10, 2019 11:57 AM in response to labelmepurple

To get a good look at your System config. for conflicts or issues, you can run this utility http://etrecheck.com

If you need help interpreting the report you can post it here in its entirety in the "Additional Text" box in the editing toolbar below, in your reply.



To trouble shoot further you can:


Try a SafeBoot https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

Takes noticeable longer to get to the login screen, does a 5-15 minute disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, including dynamic loader cache, etc. Login and test. Reboot and test.

This test will tell you if third party interference; extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.


Test issue in another user (or guest user) account  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204443

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 


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Why does my desktop menu no longer work when I change my desktop picture?

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