User profile for user: TessS5
TessS5 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

System Preferences Frozen on Apple ID sign in

When I try to sign in with my Apple ID in my MacBook Pro System Preferences, I just see the spinning wheel at the bottom of the grey sign in box. I've entered the correct password but when I click next nothing happens, just a little click noise but wheel keeps spinning. Can't close System Preferences. Can't make updates or restart/shut down computer because I get message that System Preferences has stopped it. I've even tried clicking "forgot password" just to get me out of this but I just get that dead end click noise. Is there a fix to this?

MacBook Pro 15″, OS X 10.11

Posted on Feb 2, 2023 7:05 AM

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User profile for user: ASTRO24
ASTRO24
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Feb 4, 2023 4:03 PM

Hi TessS5,


Thanks for posting in Apple Support Communities.


We understand that your Apple Id isn't being accepted. If you have a stable Wi-Fi connection on your computer and you're running the latests update with the most recent performance fixes, restart your computer in safe mode.


Safe mode limits login items while performing a health check on your disk. Once in safe mode, enter your password in System Preferences.


"How to use safe mode

Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:


Apple silicon

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
  3. Select your startup disk, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”
  4. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.


Intel processor

  1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
  2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac. 
  3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window."


You can find these steps in How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support.


Regards.



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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: ASTRO24
ASTRO24
User level: Community Specialist

Feb 4, 2023 4:03 PM in response to TessS5

Hi TessS5,


Thanks for posting in Apple Support Communities.


We understand that your Apple Id isn't being accepted. If you have a stable Wi-Fi connection on your computer and you're running the latests update with the most recent performance fixes, restart your computer in safe mode.


Safe mode limits login items while performing a health check on your disk. Once in safe mode, enter your password in System Preferences.


"How to use safe mode

Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:


Apple silicon

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
  3. Select your startup disk, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”
  4. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.


Intel processor

  1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
  2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac. 
  3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window."


You can find these steps in How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support.


Regards.



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System Preferences Frozen on Apple ID sign in

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