macOS Tahoe Desktop Widgets Not Working - 9 Fast Fixes

Many users have encountered various widget issues after updating to macOS Tahoe, such as widgets not responding, crashing, or iPhone widgets not working on Mac.

Relax! In this post, we provide 9 quick and easy fixes to tackle these problems. Read on for details!

Why Won't My Widgets Work on macOS Tahoe?

Common widget issues on macOS Tahoe include widgets not responding, widgets being stuck, widgets loading slowly, widgets not updating, widgets quitting unexpectedly, and iPhone widgets not working on Mac.

Check if your widget issue is caused by one of the following:

• Internet connectivity issues
• Location Services disabled
• Corrupted or incompatible apps
• System glitches
• iPhone apps incompatible with macOS

How to Fix Widgets Not Working on macOS Tahoe

After identifying the possible causes, here are 9 fast and effective fixes for widgets not working on macOS Tahoe:

1. Restart Your Mac

A simple restart can resolve most occasional system issues. It’s safe since it won’t cause data loss. Restart and see if the widgets start working.

2. Check Internet Connectivity

Internet connectivity is essential for many widgets, such as Weather, Mail, Safari, and Contacts, to update in real time.

If using iPhone widgets on your Mac, ensure both devices are near each other or connected to the same Wi-Fi network for real-time updates.

3. Enable Location Services

Widgets like Weather require Location Services. If it’s disabled, widgets may not function correctly.

How to enable Location Services for Weather:

1. Go to Apple Menu ＞ System Settings ＞ Privacy & Security ＞ Location Services.
2. Enable Location Services and turn on the Weather toggle.

4. Force Quit and Reopen Widgets

Force-quitting widgets via Activity Monitor can resolve crashes, slow loading, or unresponsive widgets.

Steps:

1. Open Activity Monitor.
2. Enter "widget" in the search box.
3. Select all widget-related processes (hold Command to select multiple processes).
4. Click the X button ＞ Force Quit.

5. Reset Notification Center/Widgets Using Terminal

Resetting widgets via Terminal can fix crashes or unresponsive widgets. Note that this will reset all widget settings.

Steps:

1. Open Terminal via Spotlight.
2. Enter the following command and press Enter:

defaults delete com.apple.notificationcenterui; killall NotificationCenter

3. Click Allow if prompted.

6. Update macOS

Bugs in macOS Tahoe can prevent widgets from functioning. Keeping your Mac updated, especially with a beta version, is recommended.

How to update macOS:

1. Click the Apple Menu ＞ System Settings.
2. Go to General ＞ Software Update.
3. If an update is available, click Update Now and follow the on-screen instructions.

7. Update or Uninstall Apps

App compatibility is crucial for widgets.

• Update iPhone apps: Open App Store ＞ tap your name at the top right ＞ Update All.
• Update Mac apps: Open App Store ＞ Updates ＞ Update All.

If incompatible apps cannot be updated, consider uninstalling them.

8. Remove iPhone Apps Causing Crashes

Some iPhone apps may not be compatible with macOS, leading to widgets not working if Use iPhone Widgets is enabled. Remove the apps causing crashes to fix this.

9. Delete and Re-add Problematic Widgets

If a widget keeps crashing, delete and re-add it:

1. Click the time near the Control Center in the Menu Bar to open Notification Center.
2. Click Edit Widgets.
3. Click "-" to remove the problematic widgets.
4. Search and re-add the widget.

If widgets don’t appear, ensure Show Widgets is enabled: Apple Menu ＞ System Settings ＞ Desktop & Dock ＞ Show Widgets.

Other helpful attempts include: open and close the app via widgets, ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, enter and exit Safe Mode, toggle Use iPhone Widgets, update iPhone to iOS 18, and ensure both devices use the same Apple ID.

Bonus: How to Improve Your Mac Performance

Widget or app crashes can also result from insufficient storage.

To improve Mac performance efficiently, use a third-party tool like BuhoCleaner.

BuhoCleaner is a powerful Mac cleaner and performance monitor that helps remove junk files, duplicate files, and more in minutes.

Conclusion

After reading this post, you now know 9 effective ways to fix macOS Tahoe widgets not working. Try these solutions to get your widgets running smoothly again!