Mac Error Codes List (And How To Fix Them)

Ever faced a bizarre code popping up on your Mac and wondered what’s going wrong? Mac error codes, those mysterious combinations of numbers and letters, are actually there to tell you exactly what’s up.

These codes are crucial clues that help pinpoint issues ranging from minor glitches to serious system malfunctions.

Whether you’re a DIY troubleshooter or considering professional tech support, understanding these codes can save you time and reduce stress.

In this article, we’ll examine what these error codes mean and go through simple fixes to get your Mac running smoothly again.

What exactly are Mac error codes?

Mac error codes are specific messages generated by your Mac’s operating system to inform you of a problem that prevents certain operations.

These messages appear when macOS encounters an unexpected issue, ranging from minor file access hiccups to major hardware malfunctions.

The error code, typically a combination of numbers and letters, acts as a diagnostic tool to identify and resolve these problems more efficiently.

There are many types of Macintosh error codes, from Disk full errors to Memory Manager errors and more. These include specific memory mgr error codes like ‘memFullErr’ for insufficient memory and ‘memLockedErr’ for attempts to move a locked memory block.

Decoding the beep: What your Mac is trying to tell you

Some error codes are signaled even before your Mac boots up. When your Mac beeps at startup, it’s using a universal language of beep codes to communicate hardware and system errors even before the computer has booted fully.

Sometimes, these errors indicate that certain components could not be initialized, highlighting issues with resources or functionality not being ready for use.

Each beep pattern – whether it’s a singular beep, a series of repeated beeps, or a combination of long and short sounds – has a specific meaning and indicates a particular type of problem.

Here is the meaning of every beep pattern you can encounter:

1. A single beep repeating every five seconds: Your Mac is not detecting any memory or RAM installed. This might happen if you recently replaced a memory stick.
2. Three beeps repeating every five seconds: The memory installed on your system did not pass the boot-up integrity test. Make sure the memory stick is good and that it is installed firmly in the slot.
3. Three long, then three short beeps that alternate: Your Mac found a problem with its firmware and is currently restoring it to its defaults. Normal operation should resume soon.

Frequently encountered Mac error codes

Error code 36

Error code 36 typically displays the message “The Finder can’t complete the operation.” This error pops up when attempting to copy or drag files.

It’s often due to hidden corruption or a faulty file that cannot be read or written. There are multiple solutions to solving Error code 36 that involve using the Disk Utility or the dot_clean command in Terminal, as well as checking for file or directory permissions.

Error code 43

Mac Error Code 43 typically occurs when trying to delete, move, or copy files. It means that the Finder cannot complete the operation due to an issue with the file or the file path.

This error might be caused by invalid characters in the file name, such as a colon “:”, or if the file is in use, locked, or corrupted. It can also happen if the file is missing or the file path is too long.

To resolve it, you can try renaming the file, ensuring it is not in use, or using disk utility tools to repair disk permissions.

Error code 79

Mac Error Code 79 is related to issues with compressed files. This error occurs when the system is unable to open a zip file due to corruption or compatibility issues.

It can happen if the file was not properly compressed or if it became damaged during the download or transfer process.

To resolve Mac error 79, you can try re-downloading the file, using a different unzipping tool, or checking if the file was created on a non-Mac system that may have caused incompatibility.

Error code 10661

Mac Error Code 10661, also known as kLSExecutableIncorrectFormat, occurs when the system is unable to launch an application because it is in an incorrect or unsupported format.

This error typically happens when trying to open an app that was designed for a different processor architecture (e.g., a PowerPC app on an Intel-based Mac) or if the app is corrupted.

To resolve this issue, ensure that you’re using the correct version of the application for your Mac’s architecture or try reinstalling the app.

Error code 8003

Error code 8003 usually occurs when you try to empty the trash on your Mac and it fails to delete all the items. This can also happen if some files are write protected, preventing them from being modified or deleted.

This could be due to files being locked or in use by other applications. A simple fix is to restart your Mac and try emptying the trash again.

If the problem persists, you can open a Terminal window and use the command sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash/* to force empty the trash, but be cautious as this permanently deletes all items.

Error code categories

When dealing with Mac error codes, it’s helpful to understand that they can be broadly categorized into three main types: system errors, application errors, and hardware errors.

Each category has its own set of common issues and solutions, making it easier to diagnose and fix problems.

System errors

System errors occur when the operating system encounters a problem, such as a kernel panic or a system crash.

These errors can be caused by software bugs, hardware issues, or conflicts between different system components.

Here are some common system errors:

• Error 0x80000002: This error occurs when the system encounters a problem with the Parameter RAM (PRAM). Resetting the PRAM can often resolve this issue.
• Error 0x80000003: This error occurs when the system encounters a problem with the system’s clock. Ensuring your system clock is correctly set and synchronized can help fix this error.
• Error 0x80000004: This error occurs when the system encounters a problem with memory management. Running a memory diagnostic tool can help identify and resolve memory-related issues.

Application errors

Application errors happen when a specific application or software encounters a problem, such as a crash or a freeze.

These errors can be caused by software bugs, conflicts between different applications, or issues with the system’s resources.

Here are some common application errors:

• Error -50: An application encounters a problem with its permissions. Checking and adjusting the application’s permissions can often resolve this issue.
• Error -100: An application encounters a problem with its syntax. Ensuring that the application’s code or commands are correctly written can help fix this error.
• Error -101: An application encounters a problem with user interaction. Reviewing the application’s user interface and interaction logic can help identify and resolve this issue.

Hardware errors

Hardware errors occur when a hardware component, such as a hard drive or a graphics card, encounters a problem.

These errors can be caused by hardware failure, conflicts between different hardware components, or issues with the system’s configuration. Here are some common hardware errors:

• Error 0x80000005: The system encounters a problem with its hard drive. Running Disk Utility to check and repair the disk can often resolve this issue.
• Error 0x80000006: The system encounters a problem with its graphics card. Updating the graphics card drivers or checking for hardware issues can help fix this error.
• Error 0x80000007: The system encounters a problem with its network connection. Ensuring that network settings are correctly configured and that there are no hardware issues with the network adapter can help resolve this error.

Use SpyHunter to aid Mac error troubleshooting

If you’re frequently facing error codes on your Mac, SpyHunter could be an essential tool for you. SpyHunter targets a wide array of common and complex issues that MacOS users encounter.

This software scans your system thoroughly, identifying problematic files and malware that contribute to these errors.

With regular updates, it keeps up with the newest MacOS changes and threats, providing a resilient defense against malware that could be causing errors and disrupting your user experience.

You can download SpyHunter from heredownload SpyHunter from here and install the application by following the instructions on your screen.

Once installed, use SpyHunter’s main menu to initiate a full scan of your Mac. The scanner will display a list of all malware discovered on your system.

You can use the app’s interface to select and automatically remove any threats discovered during the scan and endure a safer, smoother system in the future. The application’s real-time malware guard will take care of your long-term protection.

Common Mac error codes list

Error code	Description
0	File system error that may occur when using Windows-formatted storage devices.
102	Error during the downloading of updates for an application.
1309	Attempting to copy a file larger than 4GB to a drive that is formatted in FAT32, and the operation needs a drive formatted in NTFS.
8058	Error indicating that the property list (plist) file used by Finder is corrupted and causes issues.
8062	Error during file operations, usually related to permissions, file corruption or space requirements.
8072	Unexpected error, usually related to corrupt or damaged files while moving or copying.
8076	Unexpected error, commonly related to file corruption.
10092	Unexpected error, related to possible file corruption or issues with a system process.
10673	Error during interaction with problematic attachments inside an email.
100006	Error during file operations, commonly using external drives. Might be related to file corruption or an issue with an active system process.
20001	Server err indicating session closure problems or server unavailability.
20002	Server error due to too many clients or server overload, requiring improved error handling mechanisms.
30001	Error initializing the slot resource table, critical for managing system resources effectively.
30002	Slot resource table could not be initialized, indicating issues with system hardware components.