Finder keeps giving me the error: "The operation can’t be completed because the item can’t be found."

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

Try restarting in Safe Mode. Same problem? Restart normally again. Same problem?

You may want to delete Finder preferences, as they sometimes can get corrupted. In Finder, press Command-Shift-G and paste

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

Drag the file to the trash.

Press Command-Option-Escape, select Finder and click Relaunch.

evan_mason wrote:

Hi, yes, I restarted the Finder but it seems to be very unhealthy. Pressing Command-Shift-G and pressing ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist hasn't worked. I wasn't able to go any further than that.

I am not sure exactly what you did, and what has not worked.

Did you find the file? Did you drag it to the trash?

Did you relaunch the Finder, or restart your mac?

I've had this happen repeatedly. You do NOT have a computer problem. The solution is hidden. You have to click on the invisible > next to favorites.

The > stays invisible until you do a mouseover.

I've spent hours on this, and just figured this out. If you had seen it, you would have clicked on it. I disagree with the design concept of hiding things that I need to use.

Jarmaracark wrote:

I've had this happen repeatedly. You do NOT have a computer problem. The solution is hidden. You have to click on the invisible > next to favorites.

The > stays invisible until you do a mouseover.

You seem to not understand the question.

For example, if I try to go to "Recents" I get "The operation can’t be completed because the item can’t be found." It's the same for "Documents" and "Desktop"

It's not that evan_mason cannot find the items. evan_mason found the items and clicked on them, but the OS couldn't resolve the alias.

Jarmaracark wrote:

I disagree with the design concept of hiding things that I need to use.

What hidden folders do you need to use?

Have you tried a restart?

Use Finder Settings, Sidebar to disable showing them, then re-enable them.