macOS Tahoe update causes black wallpaper, unresponsive widgets, and Siri error

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macOS Tahoe update causes black wallpaper, unresponsive widgets, and Siri error

First, I was updating Mac Tahoe - the new update. The screen wasn't loading, so I restarted it. But right when it went to the log-in page, the wallpaper didn't load and showed black instead (it was supposed to be the system wallpaper, the beach). My widgets are also all not loading even if its online. Photobooth is just not responding, so do preview. When I try to right-click the picture to set wallpaper, the screen freezes, and hand gestures and screen swiping all doesn't work. When I right-click and click share, even if my mac is unlocked, it says "unlock mac to use Siri request." Can anyone tell me what is wrong with my mac, and how can I fix it? Thanks.

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: New update errors.

Posted on Dec 14, 2025 5:09 AM

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Answer 1

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Owl-53

Level 10

102,415 points

Dec 14, 2025 5:15 AM in response to Doras_LOL

Part 1 of 2

How many times has the computer been restarted since the update / upgrade was installed ?

Restart the computer in Safe Mode

Do the issues persist ?

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 2

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 ) <<<<

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