Mail suddenly just won't open

All of a sudden the Mail program just won't open.
I click on the logo in the dock, the icon briefly flashes, then nothing.
I've tried double clicking the program through the Finder but still no response.
I've tried to find a way to re-install the Mail program without having to re-install a whole bunch of other programs but so far can't find away to do it.
Any ideas what the best option would be?
And... which came first: The chicken or the egg?
Peace to all!

Mail dumps a whole lot of files in several places in your user library folder which it needs to run. If these get corrupted then Mail might get confused and simply not open, which is what i'm guessing and hoping your problem is. Before you go messing around with such files, run a permissions check from disk uility and if you really want repair the disk. Please read the whole post then act accordingly.
The first file you want to look at is from your home folder (the house with your user account written under it) library>caches and the folder mail. just move it to your desktop and see if mail launches.
If no go up to the library again and open preferences folder and move the mail preference file (com.apple.mail.plist) to your desktop and again see if mail launches.
If this doesn't work then move the mail folder inside the library folder to your desktop and again see if mail works. This should in effect wipe mail and give it a clean slate, it will prompt you like the first time you ever set up mail for user account details, etc.
If this doesn't work, please tell me anything else you can that might help. If you have valuable data (attachments, certain content in e-mails) then i can try and help you retrieve them from the files you moved to your desktop, so don't delete them until you are 120% sure you don't need them.
hope that helps
report back soon
Don King Resurrected

Similar Messages

My itunes just won't open

My iTunes was working fine but suddenly just won't open. It looks like it's opening but nothing happens. I tried reinstalling many times but doesn't help. Does anyone have any solution to this? Hopefully it won't wipe out all my sync datas and library from my iPods & iPhone. It can't work and I am desperately seeking help. Can anyone help?

I have exactly the same problem. Apple does not seem to be responding to this issue. It appears that it only started after the latest update.

I've been taking screen shots for years and opening them from my desktiop. Suddenly, today, I've lost the ability to open them. I can right click on the picture and do "quicklook", but that's it. They just won't open. Similary, if I scan an image and sa

I've been taking screen shots for years and opening them from my desktiop. Suddenly, today, I've lost the ability to open them. I can right click on the picture and do "quicklook", but that's it. They just won't open.
Similary, if I scan an image and save it as a PDF file in pictures, I'm suddenly not able to open it either!
Why?

Move the com.apple.screencapture.plist file out of /username/Library/Preferences/ to the Desktop, log out and back in, and try again.
BTW, use the default 10 point setting for text. Your choice just wastes screen space.

Hi, I was importing pictures into iPhoto from my sd card and suddenly iPhoto quit. Now it just won't open. When I click on the iphoto icon in the dock, nothing happens! Does anyone have a solution to this problem please?

Hi, I was importing pictures into iPhoto from my sd card and suddenly iPhoto quit. Now it just won't open. When I click on the iphoto icon in the dock, nothing happens! Does anyone have a solution to this problem please?

As a test launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and create a new, test library. Import some photos and test to see if the same problem persists. Does it?
If it does then your current library has been damaged and should be repaired: apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
Since only one option can be run at a time start
with Option #4 and then #1 as needed.
Fix #2
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 - click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File ➙ Rebuild Library menu option.
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - Click on the Create button.
Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
OT

Suddenly today some entries on my pc icloud calendar can't be accessed/edited - they just won't open. Some work, others don't. (All OK if l try to do it on iphone/ipad) All worked fine till today

I find today when I open my icloud calendar on my PC that I cannot access/edit some of the entries - some are fine, others just won't open. If I click on them, they open a 'new entry' box, but will not give me access to the original entry.
If I go to my iphone or ipad, I can access them all fine.
I have uninstalled and reinstalled icloud on my PC, but still the same thing happens.
Is anyone else experiencing similar problems?

All I can suggest is that you open that file on the MBA and save it as a new file, then see if you can open the new one on the iMac.

Safari just won't open! Icon bounces then stops.

I've just finished re-installing OSX 10.3.9 and Safari 1.3.1 and after using Safari for a couple of days, all of a sudden it won't open. After clicking on the icon in the dock, it bounces about 6 or 8 times and then just sits down again and stops. No Safari. Is there some easy way to fix this? It's happenned before but after doing a complete re-install of my OS I thought that the problem would be behind me.
Has anyone else experienced this frustrating problem? Thanks.
Steve

I had this - it also affected mail and a couple other built in Mac apps - my fix was to check clashing system fonts - it turned out to be two versions of arial in font book for me. I may be a case of trial and error. Also, oddly, when I opened Font Book before trying the Mac Apps, they all worked. Can't explain why.

Mac mail 4.5 won't open now 10.6.8 combo update installed

I have been having problems updating software and it was suggested that I installed the 10.6.8 combo update, this i have done and since then my mac mail 4.5 won't open - 'you can't use this version of Mail with this version of Mac OS X ' message!!
What is the simplest way of resolving this problem please?
Thanks
Julie

Hello, just ran accross your query.
Was Mail ever moved out of the Applications folder?
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4424?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Adobe Premiere Elements 9 just won't open!

I always did many projects on it and now all of the sudden it just won't open. There will be this little rectangle at the bottom saying it's loading and it never opens!! I'm so mad! Please help

You are in the Premiere PRO forum, you need http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere_elements/content
When you go there (or if a Moderator moves this message) you need to provide a LOT more information
From the Premiere Elements Information FAQ http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1042180
•What version of Premiere Elements? Include the minor version number (e.g., Premiere Elements 12 with the 12.0.1 update).
•What operating system? This should include specific minor version numbers, like "Mac OSX v10.6.8"---not just "Mac"
•Has this ever worked before? If so, do you recall any changes you made to Premiere Elements, such as adding Plug-ins, brushes, etc.? Did you make any changes to your system, such as updating hardware, printers or drivers; or installing/uninstalling any programs?
•Are you using an account with Administrator Privileges?
Run as Administrator http://forums.adobe.com/thread/969395 (Encore + "All" Premiere)
•Have you installed any recent program or OS updates? (If not, you should. They fix a lot of problems.)
•What kind(s) of image file(s)? When talking about camera raw files, include the model of camera.
•If you are getting error message(s), what is the full text of the error message(s)?
•What were you doing when the problem occurred?
•What other software are you running?
•Tell us about your computer hardware. How much RAM is installed? How much free space is on your system (C:) drive?
And some other questions...
•What are you editing, and does your video have a red line over it BEFORE you do any work?
•Which version of Quicktime do you have installed?
•Have you viewed the tutorial links at http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1275830 page to learn the program?
What is your exact brand/model graphics adapter (ATI or nVidia or ???)
What is your exact graphics adapter driver version?
Have you gone to the vendor web site to check for a newer driver?
For Windows, do NOT rely on Windows Update to have current driver information
-you need to go direct to the vendor web site and check updates for yourself
ATI Driver Autodetect http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/auto-detect-tool
nVidia Driver Downloads http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

Mail 4.6 won't open

Just updated my software and now my mail (v4.6) won't open. Anyone have and ideas? Thanks.

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
See > http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4424

Updated my mac to mountain lion 10.8.3 and now my app store, mail or facetime won't open. Also, I am not longer able to play videos through firefox. I tried downloading the combo for mountain lion and it refuses to install? Can anyone help me?

updated my mac to mountain lion 10.7.8.3 and now my app store, mail or facetime won't open. Also, I am not longer able to play videos through firefox. I tried downloading the combo for mountain lion and it refuses to install saying that I need to see developer. Whenever I try to open my appstore, mail or facetime it says that the programmes need to be installed and might not be compatible with this version of mac operating system. Can anyone help me?

It's not a bad install of Mountain Lion. I've had the same thing happen to me, but it affected not only Mail, but a variety of other programs including iPhoto and MS Office, where I had to delete preferences, caches, and reinstall the OS as well as the program itself. I'm still having issues with Mail, so I've gone to another program.
Everything was fine upon the initial install. I restarted my iMac about two weeks after the install, and that's when the issues began to happen. I've reinstalled Mountain Lion twice, but the same issues arise.
As I mentioned above, you'll need to figure out which preferences are causing the issue, then reinstall the program, as a fresh reinstallation will do you no good unless you wipe the drive completely.
Here's a thread that helped me with iPhoto:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4794375?start=0&tstart=0

After years of using iTunes on my G4 suddenly it won't open. Error message says "The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes". What do I do?s

After years of using iTunes on my G4 suddenly it won't open. Error message says "The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes". What do I do? I have been attempting to move my Library to a newer MacBook Pro.

The file "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes".
Try the following user tip:
Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash

ITunes just won't open?

i don't know what is wrong with my iTunes. i double click on the shortcut and iTunes just won't open. then i try and click on it from the start menu, and nothing again. i have uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes about 3 times and still nothing changes. no error window or anything pops up even.
can someone help me please? thank you, i would really appreciate it.

I was having the same problem - this fixed it for me:
Remove iTunes Preference files
Some of the files that iTunes uses to store settings and preferences may be corrupt and cause issues. iTunes has two folders where preferences are saved. Move one of them to the desktop and test to see if the issue persists. If it does, move it back and remove the second folder. The location for the two preference folders are:
* C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes
* C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes
There's another thread with a link to a larger article; this is part of it.

I am not able to open my 'system preferences' it shows up on top, but the window just won't open. I haven't installed anything new, I have also restarted my computer, but still encounter this problem. Help?

I am not able to open my 'system preferences' it shows up on top, but the window just won't open. I haven't installed anything new, I have also restarted my computer, but still encounter this problem. Help?

Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks without erasing drive
Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Repair
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported then click on the Repair Permissions button. When the process is completed, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks
OS X Mavericks- Reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Reinstall Mac OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

My system preferences won't load. It opens straight up to the desktop folder and pictures won't load, leaving me with a color wheel. I've tried restarting my computer and that doesn't help. System preferences just won't open/load at all. Any ideas?

My system preferences won't load. It opens straight up to the desktop folder and pictures won't load, leaving me with a color wheel. I've tried restarting my computer and that doesn't help. System preferences just won't open/load at all. Any ideas?

Deleting the System Preference or other .plist file
..Step by Step to fix your Mac

Installer/Application Manager just won't open

In the simplest terms: Adobe Application Manager for CS5 just won't open. It all started when I tried to update CS5 to the most recent version, but this Application Manager would freeze up after the "Initializing Installer" window was done. After that, AAM not only stops responding, but it slows the entire computer down. I would let it sit for 10-20 minutes, and still nothing. I tried downloading the patch to update AAM, but that did the same thing. I tried uninstalling CS5, but that requires AAM, so I used to AppZapper to get rid of all the CS5 programs. When I tried to reinstall, it put AAM back on my computer and the problem returned. I tried the CS5 CleanUp Utility, which claims it got rid of all CS5 files. AAM still locks up after initialization. I tried repairing disk permissions, same thing. I even consulted the PDApp.log, and there have been no FATAL or ERROR messages. I am at a loss here, as I now have no CS5 programs and no way to get them back. Please help.
I'm running OSX 10.6.5 on a 2x2.8Ghz MacPro with 32 gigs of RAM (which is why its so troubling when the computer slows to a crawl). Thank you in advance for your help.

If you are using IE 7, try removing it (reverts to IE 6). There seems to be a problem with the windows installer for QT when used with IE 7. This even holds true if you use Firefox or some other browser to download the program. Try using your
QT icon in your system tray to see if it recognizes QT being on your computer. Mine said it was not loaded even though I could find it in the Windows ADD/Remove utility. This is what I did to correct my problem.
Remove IE 7
Remove QT
Remove iTunes
Download iTunes + Quicktime
Install iTunes
All of my music came back just fine, playlists and all. You may lose some album art or settings such as compilations but that is all.

Mail suddenly just won't open

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for