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How to Fix Messages

The following steps worked for me:
Update December 2016 - this happened once more - this fixed it again, so I'm even more certain of it now.

  1. Clear PRAM (NVRAM)

    Hold Cmd ⌘+Opt ⌥+P+R at the chimes until they are heard for a second time, then release

  2. Start in Safe Mode

    As soon as you hear the second chimes hold Shift ⇧ & keep holding until you see the regular startup progress thermometer

As soon as you hear the second chimes hold Shift ⇧ & keep holding until you see the regular startup progress thermometer

  1. Attempt to login to iMessage.

    Attempt to login to iMessage.

    Mine at this point appeared to fail & the iMessage login screen just went grey.
    I stared at it for 5 minutes, then rebooted.

Mine at this point appeared to fail & the iMessage login screen just went grey.
I stared at it for 5 minutes, then rebooted.

  1. Done.

    Done.

Recommended but Unsuccessful

These things were recommended elsewhere but they did not work for me:

  • Checking Firewall settings til I was blue in the face.
    It worked yesterday & still works for all other machines in the house...
  • Changing DNS provider.
  • Logging out of everything iCloud related then back in again.
  • Any amount of messing with the keychain - Repairing, Erasing[1]
  • Restoring random items in ~/Library/Preferences; including, at one point, the entire folder
  • 'Repair install' using latest Combo Update.
  • Recovering entire drive from a day-old known-good clone.
  • Reinstalling entire OS from Time Machine.

I'm copying this answer to all relevant Stack Exchange questions, in case it helps others. You would not believe the amount of chasing round I did to fix this one ;-)


[1] Many articles (& Keychain Repair itself) claim that com.apple.security.plist ought to be owned by the user - in fact every time you fix that, next reboot it reverts to being owned by root.

I gave up trying to 'cure' that as it appeared to make no difference in the end.

How to Fix Messages

The following steps worked for me:
Update December 2016 - this happened once more - this fixed it again, so I'm even more certain of it now.

  1. Clear PRAM (NVRAM)

    Hold Cmd ⌘+Opt ⌥+P+R at the chimes until they are heard for a second time, then release

  2. Start in Safe Mode

As soon as you hear the second chimes hold Shift ⇧ & keep holding until you see the regular startup progress thermometer

  1. Attempt to login to iMessage.

Mine at this point appeared to fail & the iMessage login screen just went grey.
I stared at it for 5 minutes, then rebooted.

  1. Done.

Recommended but Unsuccessful

These things were recommended elsewhere but they did not work for me:

  • Checking Firewall settings til I was blue in the face.
    It worked yesterday & still works for all other machines in the house...
  • Changing DNS provider.
  • Logging out of everything iCloud related then back in again.
  • Any amount of messing with the keychain - Repairing, Erasing[1]
  • Restoring random items in ~/Library/Preferences; including, at one point, the entire folder
  • 'Repair install' using latest Combo Update.
  • Recovering entire drive from a day-old known-good clone.
  • Reinstalling entire OS from Time Machine.

I'm copying this answer to all relevant Stack Exchange questions, in case it helps others. You would not believe the amount of chasing round I did to fix this one ;-)


[1] Many articles (& Keychain Repair itself) claim that com.apple.security.plist ought to be owned by the user - in fact every time you fix that, next reboot it reverts to being owned by root.

I gave up trying to 'cure' that as it appeared to make no difference in the end.

How to Fix Messages

The following steps worked for me:
Update December 2016 - this happened once more - this fixed it again, so I'm even more certain of it now.

  1. Clear PRAM (NVRAM)

    Hold Cmd ⌘+Opt ⌥+P+R at the chimes until they are heard for a second time, then release

  2. Start in Safe Mode

    As soon as you hear the second chimes hold Shift ⇧ & keep holding until you see the regular startup progress thermometer

  3. Attempt to login to iMessage.

    Mine at this point appeared to fail & the iMessage login screen just went grey.
    I stared at it for 5 minutes, then rebooted.

  4. Done.

Recommended but Unsuccessful

These things were recommended elsewhere but they did not work for me:

  • Checking Firewall settings til I was blue in the face.
    It worked yesterday & still works for all other machines in the house...
  • Changing DNS provider.
  • Logging out of everything iCloud related then back in again.
  • Any amount of messing with the keychain - Repairing, Erasing[1]
  • Restoring random items in ~/Library/Preferences; including, at one point, the entire folder
  • 'Repair install' using latest Combo Update.
  • Recovering entire drive from a day-old known-good clone.
  • Reinstalling entire OS from Time Machine.

I'm copying this answer to all relevant Stack Exchange questions, in case it helps others. You would not believe the amount of chasing round I did to fix this one ;-)


[1] Many articles (& Keychain Repair itself) claim that com.apple.security.plist ought to be owned by the user - in fact every time you fix that, next reboot it reverts to being owned by root.

I gave up trying to 'cure' that as it appeared to make no difference in the end.

added 111 characters in body
Source Link
Tetsujin
  • 117.7k
  • 26
  • 201
  • 346

How to Fix Messages

The following steps worked for me:
Update December 2016 - this happened once more - this fixed it again, so I'm even more certain of it now.

  1. Clear PRAM (NVRAM)

    Hold Cmd ⌘+Opt ⌥+P+R at the chimes until they are heard for a second time, then release

  2. Start in Safe Mode

As soon as you hear the second chimes hold Shift ⇧ & keep holding until you see the regular startup progress thermometer

  1. Attempt to login to iMessage.

Mine at this point appeared to fail & the iMessage login screen just went grey.
I stared at it for 5 minutes, then rebooted.

  1. Done.

Recommended but Unsuccessful

These things were recommended elsewhere but they did not work for me:

  • Checking Firewall settings til I was blue in the face.
    It worked yesterday & still works for all other machines in the house...
  • Changing DNS provider.
  • Logging out of everything iCloud related then back in again.
  • Any amount of messing with the keychain - Repairing, Erasing[1]
  • Restoring random items in ~/Library/Preferences; including, at one point, the entire folder
  • 'Repair install' using latest Combo Update.
  • Recovering entire drive from a day-old known-good clone.
  • Reinstalling entire OS from Time Machine.

I'm copying this answer to all relevant Stack Exchange questions, in case it helps others. You would not believe the amount of chasing round I did to fix this one ;-)


[1] Many articles (& Keychain Repair itself) claim that com.apple.security.plist ought to be owned by the user - in fact every time you fix that, next reboot it reverts to being owned by root.

I gave up trying to 'cure' that as it appeared to make no difference in the end.

How to Fix Messages

The following steps worked for me:

  1. Clear PRAM (NVRAM)

    Hold Cmd ⌘+Opt ⌥+P+R at the chimes until they are heard for a second time, then release

  2. Start in Safe Mode

As soon as you hear the second chimes hold Shift ⇧ & keep holding until you see the regular startup progress thermometer

  1. Attempt to login to iMessage.

Mine at this point appeared to fail & the iMessage login screen just went grey.
I stared at it for 5 minutes, then rebooted.

  1. Done.

Recommended but Unsuccessful

These things were recommended elsewhere but they did not work for me:

  • Checking Firewall settings til I was blue in the face.
    It worked yesterday & still works for all other machines in the house...
  • Changing DNS provider.
  • Logging out of everything iCloud related then back in again.
  • Any amount of messing with the keychain - Repairing, Erasing[1]
  • Restoring random items in ~/Library/Preferences; including, at one point, the entire folder
  • 'Repair install' using latest Combo Update.
  • Recovering entire drive from a day-old known-good clone.
  • Reinstalling entire OS from Time Machine.

I'm copying this answer to all relevant Stack Exchange questions, in case it helps others. You would not believe the amount of chasing round I did to fix this one ;-)


[1] Many articles (& Keychain Repair itself) claim that com.apple.security.plist ought to be owned by the user - in fact every time you fix that, next reboot it reverts to being owned by root.

I gave up trying to 'cure' that as it appeared to make no difference in the end.

How to Fix Messages

The following steps worked for me:
Update December 2016 - this happened once more - this fixed it again, so I'm even more certain of it now.

  1. Clear PRAM (NVRAM)

    Hold Cmd ⌘+Opt ⌥+P+R at the chimes until they are heard for a second time, then release

  2. Start in Safe Mode

As soon as you hear the second chimes hold Shift ⇧ & keep holding until you see the regular startup progress thermometer

  1. Attempt to login to iMessage.

Mine at this point appeared to fail & the iMessage login screen just went grey.
I stared at it for 5 minutes, then rebooted.

  1. Done.

Recommended but Unsuccessful

These things were recommended elsewhere but they did not work for me:

  • Checking Firewall settings til I was blue in the face.
    It worked yesterday & still works for all other machines in the house...
  • Changing DNS provider.
  • Logging out of everything iCloud related then back in again.
  • Any amount of messing with the keychain - Repairing, Erasing[1]
  • Restoring random items in ~/Library/Preferences; including, at one point, the entire folder
  • 'Repair install' using latest Combo Update.
  • Recovering entire drive from a day-old known-good clone.
  • Reinstalling entire OS from Time Machine.

I'm copying this answer to all relevant Stack Exchange questions, in case it helps others. You would not believe the amount of chasing round I did to fix this one ;-)


[1] Many articles (& Keychain Repair itself) claim that com.apple.security.plist ought to be owned by the user - in fact every time you fix that, next reboot it reverts to being owned by root.

I gave up trying to 'cure' that as it appeared to make no difference in the end.

Formatting and tightened up to put solution first.
Source Link
Graham Miln
  • 44.6k
  • 8
  • 94
  • 127

How to Fix Messages

I'm copyingThe following steps worked for me:

  1. Clear PRAM (NVRAM)

    Hold Cmd ⌘+Opt ⌥+P+R at the chimes until they are heard for a second time, then release

  2. Start in Safe Mode

As soon as you hear the second chimes hold Shift ⇧ & keep holding until you see the regular startup progress thermometer

  1. Attempt to login to iMessage.

Mine at this answerpoint appeared to all relevant SE Questions, in case it helps othersfail & the iMessage login screen just went grey.
You would not believe the amount of chasing round I did to fix this one ;-)I stared at it for 5 minutes, then rebooted.

  1. Done.

Recommended but Unsuccessful

Things recommended elsewhere that did not work... These things were recommended elsewhere but they did not work for me:

  • Checking Firewall settings til I was blue in the face.
    It worked yesterday & still works for all other machines in the house...

    Checking Firewall settings til I was blue in the face.
    It worked yesterday & still works for all other machines in the house...
  • Changing DNS provider.

    Changing DNS provider.
  • Logging out of everything iCloud related then back in again.

    Logging out of everything iCloud related then back in again.
  • Any amount of messing with the keychain - Repairing, Erasing[1]

    Any amount of messing with the keychain - Repairing, Erasing[1]
  • Restoring random items in ~/Library/Preferences [including, at one point, the entire folder]

    Restoring random items in ~/Library/Preferences; including, at one point, the entire folder
  • 'Repair install' using latest Combo Update.

    'Repair install' using latest Combo Update.
  • Recovering entire drive from a day-old known-good clone.

    Recovering entire drive from a day-old known-good clone.
  • Reinstalling entire OS from Time Machine.

    Reinstalling entire OS from Time Machine.

What actually DID work I'm copying this answer to all relevant Stack Exchange questions, in case it helps others. You would not believe the amount of chasing round I did to fix this one ;-)

  • Clear PRAM [NVRAM]
    Hold Cmd ⌘ Opt ⌥ P R at the chimes until they are heard for a second time, then release

  • Start in Safe Mode
    As soon as you hear the second chimes hold Shift ⇧ & keep holding until you see the regular startup progress thermometer

  • Attempt to login to iMessage.
    Mine at this point appeared to fail & the iMessage login screen just went grey.
    I stared at it for 5 minutes, then rebooted.

  • Done.

 

[1] Many articles (& Keychain Repair itself) claim that com.apple.security.plistcom.apple.security.plist ought to be owned by the user - in fact every time you fix that, next reboot it reverts to being owned by rootroot.
I

I gave up trying to 'cure' that as it appeared to make no difference in the end.

I'm copying this answer to all relevant SE Questions, in case it helps others.
You would not believe the amount of chasing round I did to fix this one ;-)

Things recommended elsewhere that did not work...

  • Checking Firewall settings til I was blue in the face.
    It worked yesterday & still works for all other machines in the house...

  • Changing DNS provider.

  • Logging out of everything iCloud related then back in again.

  • Any amount of messing with the keychain - Repairing, Erasing[1]

  • Restoring random items in ~/Library/Preferences [including, at one point, the entire folder]

  • 'Repair install' using latest Combo Update.

  • Recovering entire drive from a day-old known-good clone.

  • Reinstalling entire OS from Time Machine.

What actually DID work

  • Clear PRAM [NVRAM]
    Hold Cmd ⌘ Opt ⌥ P R at the chimes until they are heard for a second time, then release

  • Start in Safe Mode
    As soon as you hear the second chimes hold Shift ⇧ & keep holding until you see the regular startup progress thermometer

  • Attempt to login to iMessage.
    Mine at this point appeared to fail & the iMessage login screen just went grey.
    I stared at it for 5 minutes, then rebooted.

  • Done.

[1] Many articles (& Keychain Repair itself) claim that com.apple.security.plist ought to be owned by the user - in fact every time you fix that, next reboot it reverts to being owned by root.
I gave up trying to 'cure' that as it appeared to make no difference in the end.

How to Fix Messages

The following steps worked for me:

  1. Clear PRAM (NVRAM)

    Hold Cmd ⌘+Opt ⌥+P+R at the chimes until they are heard for a second time, then release

  2. Start in Safe Mode

As soon as you hear the second chimes hold Shift ⇧ & keep holding until you see the regular startup progress thermometer

  1. Attempt to login to iMessage.

Mine at this point appeared to fail & the iMessage login screen just went grey.
I stared at it for 5 minutes, then rebooted.

  1. Done.

Recommended but Unsuccessful

These things were recommended elsewhere but they did not work for me:

  • Checking Firewall settings til I was blue in the face.
    It worked yesterday & still works for all other machines in the house...
  • Changing DNS provider.
  • Logging out of everything iCloud related then back in again.
  • Any amount of messing with the keychain - Repairing, Erasing[1]
  • Restoring random items in ~/Library/Preferences; including, at one point, the entire folder
  • 'Repair install' using latest Combo Update.
  • Recovering entire drive from a day-old known-good clone.
  • Reinstalling entire OS from Time Machine.

I'm copying this answer to all relevant Stack Exchange questions, in case it helps others. You would not believe the amount of chasing round I did to fix this one ;-)

 

[1] Many articles (& Keychain Repair itself) claim that com.apple.security.plist ought to be owned by the user - in fact every time you fix that, next reboot it reverts to being owned by root.

I gave up trying to 'cure' that as it appeared to make no difference in the end.

Source Link
Tetsujin
  • 117.7k
  • 26
  • 201
  • 346
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