macOS Tahoe 26.1 update causes system settings and Outlook editing issues on Mac mini

I just updated to Tahoe 26.1 (on a Mac mini) and have major issues:

In the system settings I only can navigate on the left side but cannot click on any options on the right. There are message windows in my finder that I cannot close or click on (even after multiple restarts of the computer). They won't move or disappear.

What’s more: When writing a new mail in Microsoft Outlook I cannot edit text anymore (!!!) – it's possible to mark text, change to another font, but I am unable to choose fat / italic / colors. This is the worst update since a long time. I am pretty mad.


Any hint how I can fix this mess?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Tahoe Problem


Posted on Nov 5, 2025 3:06 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 5, 2025 4:43 AM

naaadjaaa wrote:

I just updated to Tahoe 26.1 (on a Mac mini) and have major issues:
In the system settings I only can navigate on the left side but cannot click on any options on the right. There are message windows in my finder that I cannot close or click on (even after multiple restarts of the computer). They won't move or disappear.
What’s more: When writing a new mail in Microsoft Outlook I cannot edit text anymore (!!!) – it's possible to mark text, change to another font, but I am unable to choose fat / italic / colors. This is the worst update since a long time. I am pretty mad.

Any hint how I can fix this mess?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Tahoe Problem

You mention at least 3 different issues and none of them seem at all normal


Try the previous suggestion >> First and report back if this fixes the issues


If not >>


Part 1 of 3


Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.


Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 


Does the issue present in this mode ?


Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.


If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.


If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.


Part 2 of 3


To Drill Down further and to avoid a session of Q&A, Q&A  and Q&A  


Download the Application Etrecheck  ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.


The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet "  and is  only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer 


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer Hardware / Software used on this computer 


The application is free or paid from added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<


Part 3 of 3


There are 4 Categories of Third Party Software / Services that are baffling and are not needed 


Get rid of them via the Developers Instructions 


In no special order 


1 - Third Party 2 Way Firewalls 


2 - Commercial VPNs 


3 - Third Party Security Software 


4 - Third Party Disk Cleaners / Optimizer 

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 5, 2025 4:43 AM in response to naaadjaaa

naaadjaaa wrote:

I just updated to Tahoe 26.1 (on a Mac mini) and have major issues:
In the system settings I only can navigate on the left side but cannot click on any options on the right. There are message windows in my finder that I cannot close or click on (even after multiple restarts of the computer). They won't move or disappear.
What’s more: When writing a new mail in Microsoft Outlook I cannot edit text anymore (!!!) – it's possible to mark text, change to another font, but I am unable to choose fat / italic / colors. This is the worst update since a long time. I am pretty mad.

Any hint how I can fix this mess?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Tahoe Problem

You mention at least 3 different issues and none of them seem at all normal


Try the previous suggestion >> First and report back if this fixes the issues


If not >>


Part 1 of 3


Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.


Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 


Does the issue present in this mode ?


Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.


If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.


If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.


Part 2 of 3


To Drill Down further and to avoid a session of Q&A, Q&A  and Q&A  


Download the Application Etrecheck  ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.


The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet "  and is  only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer 


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer Hardware / Software used on this computer 


The application is free or paid from added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<


Part 3 of 3


There are 4 Categories of Third Party Software / Services that are baffling and are not needed 


Get rid of them via the Developers Instructions 


In no special order 


1 - Third Party 2 Way Firewalls 


2 - Commercial VPNs 


3 - Third Party Security Software 


4 - Third Party Disk Cleaners / Optimizer 

Nov 15, 2025 2:43 AM in response to naaadjaaa

Hello,

I have problems with it as well. I just bought Macbook Pro M4 Pro 4 months ago. it was totally fine until I decided to download the Tahoe 26.1 (before it had Tahoe 26.0.1 with no problems). when it started downloading, multiple of apps had crashed. and it made like 8 forced restarts in one day in middle of working (even in middle of meeting). the next day after I finished the update , it was even worse. it was restarting like every 10 minutes.

I contacted Apple Support , Safe mode didn't work also they made a test and checked the hardware and everything is fine. but it kept restarting.

the solution was reinstalling mac os but I couldn't because it restarts every time and it can't continue reinstalling. so I FORMATTED it. and everything was fine. it opened to 15.7.2. everything was perfect again. until I clicked the update button. and guess what? FORCED RESTART AGAAAAIN

I didn't continue the update and I am trying to work with it now and till now it works fine. I hope this problem got solved soon


[Edited by Moderator]

Nov 29, 2025 1:47 AM in response to naaadjaaa

I also experience some strange behaviour since upgrading to Tahoe (MacOS 26.1). After every 2 or 3 shutdowns (or shutdowns during nighttime, I haven't evaluated the real reason for this) I experience a very long long time for logging in after I have typed in my logon password. The progress bar gets stuck in the first third for about 20 seconds until it continues to login, this wasn't the case until Sequoia.


I also experience a delayed connection with my Apple Magic Mouse (2025) after the login. In comparison to MacOS Sequoia the Mouse always has been already connected during the login process. I also experienced sudden disconnects of the Mouse during work with the mouse, so I had to turn off the mouse and turn it on again, to enforce the bluetooth connection process.


These are the two main issues I struggle with, since the Upgrade to MacOS 26.1


I am on a M3 Max 64GB machine, which should have enough performance power to run 26.1, I guess.




macOS Tahoe 26.1 update causes system settings and Outlook editing issues on Mac mini

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