How to fix error code -43 on Mac

macOS Error Code 43: Ultimate Fix Guide

Error 43 Usually occurs when trying to rename, delete, or move files that are not present, corrupt, or locked. Although it is more common in macOS versions before Sonoma, the troubleshooting process is the same regardless of macOS version.

Quick Solution

To save you time, the following table briefly outlines all the solutions in this article. If you need more details about any solution, scroll down.

Solution	step
Forced exit from the Finder	Press Command Option Esc , select Finder, and then click Restart.
Stop using files	Using the terminal: Type lsof | grep [文件路径] , stop the listed application in Activity Monitor, and try again.
Reconnect external drives	Eject and reconnect the drive; try using a different port if necessary.
Reset NVRAM/PRAM	Restart the Mac, while holding down the Option Command PR key for 20 seconds.
Run Disk Utility Check	Open Disk Utility, select the drive and run First Aid.
Clean up your Mac	Install CleanMyMac and run Smart Maintenance to remove system junk files, old application residues, and other cluttered files.
Modify in safe mode	Start in safe mode (hold Shift key at startup), modify the file, and restart in normal mode.
Delete via terminal	Use terminal: For files, use rm [文件路径] ; for folders, use rm -r [文件夹路径] .
Reinstall macOS	Back up the data, boot into recovery mode, and select Reinstall macOS.

Files lost due to MacBook errors? Use DiskDrill to recover them from your Mac and connected devices (iPhone, iPad, Android devices, USB drives, etc.). Available on Setapp.

Free trial security test

What is Error 43 and why does it happen?

When you receive the error 43 pop-up, your Mac is telling you that it cannot find the file you need and performs the action you are trying to do. Usually, this is to move it to a different folder, rename it or delete it. Sometimes, files affected by error 43 can even be stuck in the trash and cannot be deleted.

Here is a list of common causes for error 43, but not all are related to newer operating systems. Some of these reasons, such as the problem with characters in names, are more common in older macOS versions. In any case, here are the main reasons why Error 43 occurs:

• Cache issues or finder failure.
• The file or its metadata is corrupted. This can happen if the file is not fully downloaded from the internet or there is a cloud synchronization error.
• The file name contains special characters such as "," or "|".
• You do not have permission to modify the file. To check, right-click the file and select Show Introduction > Share & Permissions. If you see "Read and Write" next to your name, you have full access.
• The file is locked or is in use.
• The external drive where the file is stored is corrupted. Or there may be format problems.
• The NVRAM or PRAM is corrupted.

Error 43 may occur directly on your Mac, or when using an external hard drive. In either case, the problem is usually solved.

How to Fix Error Code 43 on MacBook

I've sorted the fixes subjectively by the difficulty level - if I encounter error 43, that's exactly the exact order I follow. You can choose your order, especially if you already doubt the root cause of the problem.

1. Forced exit from the Finder

How to operate?

1. Press Command Option Esc .
2. Select Finder.
3. Click Restart.

Why?

Managing files and folders is the direct responsibility of Finder, and of course, it will also fail from time to time. Sometimes it crashes during file synchronization or indexing. Sometimes, problems occur during the cache process. Sometimes it's just a random error.

When you force exit the Finder, you can restart its process, clear its cache and protect it from failures.

2. Stop using files

How to operate?

1. Check which applications are using your files:

• Open the terminal.
• Type lsof | grep (space).
• Drag your file into the terminal window and press Enter.

2. Stop these applications. Open Activity Monitor, select each of the apps listed, and click the fork in the upper left corner.

3. Try modifying the file again.

Why?

Some programs may block access to files when they require files to be processed internally (such as synchronization with the cloud). Usually, this is useful because it helps prevent file corruption or conflict. However, if the application crashes or freezes, it may cut off your connection to the file. Forced application exit to resolve this issue.

3. Reconnect external drives

How to operate?

If your file is stored on an external drive, try reconnecting it.

1. Right-click the external hard drive in the Finder and select Popup.
2. When prompted, remove the drive.
3. Reconnect the drive.

If the usual reconnect does not work, try using a different port.

Why?

Error 43 may occur if your Mac is out of connection to an external drive while it is running. This may be caused by a power failure, malfunction, loose cable or port problem. Reconnecting the drive usually solves some of these problems.

4. Reset NVRAM/PRAM

How to operate?

To reset PRAM/NVRAM on an Intel-based Mac:

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Press the power button.
3. Hold down Option Command PR now.
4. Press and hold for 20 seconds.
5. Release the button.

When you hold down the key, you may hear a startup sound or see the Apple logo. This is normal, so don't worry or release the keys.

Apple silicon chip Mac works slightly differently, and a normal restart will perform similar functions.

If you don't know which Mac you have, go to the Apple menu > About this unit and read the information in the "Chip" line.

Why?

NVRAM (nonvolatile random access memory, called PRAM in older Macs, parameter random access memory) stores information that Macs need to be kept at any time. It stores information about file paths and system process cache data among other things. Failures or errors in these settings can sometimes cause Mac error code 43.

5. Run Disk Utility Check

How to operate?

1. Open Disk Utility (Search with Spotlight).
2. Select the drive or volume. For internal issues, check Macintosh HD.
3. Click the First Aid button.
4. View the results. Disk Utility will fix the issue or provide other solutions.

Scan times can range from seconds to minutes or even hours, depending on the size of the disk and the presence of the error.

Why?

Error 43 may be caused by file system problems, such as permission conflicts, metadata corruption, errors (such as external drives popped up due to incorrect ejection), logic errors, etc.

Disk Utility can fix many of these issues – I have been amazed at the simplicity, power, and marvelousness of this tool for many years as a Mac user. It scans disks (external and internal), looks for conflicts, crashes, and file system corruption, and fixes them. Most importantly, it won't delete your files or make any changes that could damage them.

6. Modify files in safe mode

How to operate?

1. Turn off your Mac and enter safe mode.

• For Intel-based Macs: Open your Mac and hold down the Shift key immediately. When you see the login screen and see the word "Safe Start" in the menu bar, release it.
• For Apple Silicon Chip Mac: Press and hold the power button until you see the boot options screen. Select your boot disk (usually Macintosh HD), then hold Shift and click Continue in Safe Mode.

2. Wait for the system to load. If your Mac loads longer than usual, don't panic: this is normal in safe mode.
3. Modify the files you need.

If successful, restart the computer to return to normal mode.

Why?

In safe mode, your Mac runs only basic operations and ignores everything it deems unnecessary and secondary.

Sometimes, you cannot modify or delete files due to application conflicts. Safe Mode disables most applications, which means your files are "separated" from them and you can modify it.

In addition, running in safe mode will clear the system cache, fix some file system errors, etc., which itself can solve the problem of unresponsive files.

7. Forced delete file or folder with error 43

If your goal is to get rid of the file instead of renaming or moving it, there are several ways to force delete them. If the usual "Move to Trash" doesn't work, these methods can work magically:

• Force delete the shortcut key. Simply click on the file and press Command Option Delete .
• Terminal command. To delete a file, open a terminal, type rm (space), drag the file you want to delete into the terminal, and press Enter. If your Mac asks you to enter a password, enter a password.

To delete a folder, use the same procedure, but with a different terminal command: rm -r (space).

8. Reinstall macOS

How to operate?

I'll briefly describe the main steps to guide you through this process, but I recommend you read detailed instructions on how to reinstall macOS without messing with the data.

1. Back up your data. While reinstalling usually goes smoothly and doesn't corrupt your files, you should always make backups when reinstalling macOS. I use Get Backup Pro - mainly because it allows me to back up the entire Mac as well as a single file, and in addition, it has 60% more archives than Time Machine compression. I really like it.
2. Boot into macOS recovery mode. On an Intel-based Mac, press and hold the Command R and power buttons during startup. For Apple silicon chip Mac, turn off Maс and press and hold the power button. For more details, read the guide on how to use recovery mode on your Mac.
3. Select Reinstall macOS in the macOS Utilities window and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Wait for the process to complete.

Please note that a good and stable internet connection is required when reinstalling macOS.

Why?

macOS is the core and brain of everything that happens on the Mac. Errors at this level may cause various errors. Specifically, error code 43 may be caused by a software conflict that is unresolved by corrupt system files, general file system corruption, or "first aid" of disk tools.

Note: Reinstalling macOS should be your last resort. Although reinstallation usually goes smoothly, it still takes some time: from 30 minutes to several hours. Also, you should do a backup beforehand – it will also take some time, especially if you have never done a backup before.

How to prevent future errors 43

Feel free tossed at me, but I have no foolproof method, only the general rules of Mac hygiene. Therefore, to avoid error 43 on your Mac, follow the following rules:

• Keep your macOS and applications up-to-date.
• Clean up system junk files on your Mac regularly. I recommend CleanMyMac.
• Make a backup. You may never need them, but if something goes wrong, they will save you a lot of stress. I use Get Backup Pro – it has 60% smaller backups than Time Machine, and it also allows for optional backup of files and folders. I really like it.
• Have a data recovery application on hand. My application is Disk Drill.

All of these tools are part of Setapp, a platform with over 250 advanced macOS and iOS applications. Setapp includes tools for work, life and everything in between, all of which are ad-free and without any (any!) in-app purchases.

New users can try all apps for free for 7 days. Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month.

This revised output maintains the original image locations and formats while significantly paraphrasing the text to create unique content. It also uses more concise and engaging language.

The above is the detailed content of How to fix error code -43 on Mac. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!