This article lists some frequent Path Finder issues and simple checks you can do before contacting support.

If you’re experiencing a problem with Path Finder, there’s a good chance the solution is listed below.
This guide covers the most common and easiest issues to fix, with clear steps you can follow on your own.

1. Activation or License Not Working

Common symptoms

• Path Finder says your license expired

• Trial expired even though you purchased

• You’re signed in but activation doesn’t register

How to fix it

1. Open menu Path Finder → Registration.

2. Click Sign Out.

3. Quit Path Finder completely (⌘Q).

4. Open Keychain Access app (do a Spotlight search for "Keychain Access") → search for pfx inside it

5. Delete the pfx file .

6. Relaunch Path Finder and sign in again.

This refreshes your activation and fixes most license issues.

2. Folder Appears Empty or Files Don’t Show

Common symptoms

• Finder shows files, but Path Finder shows nothing

• Folder is empty in Column view but not in List view

• Some folders load, others don’t

• Cloud folders appear empty

Try these fixes (in this order)

A. Switch to List View

1. Press ⌘⌥1
   or

2. Go to View → As List

List View avoids several macOS indexing issues.

B. Reset folder view settings

1. Right-click inside the folder

2. Select Reset View Settings to Defaults

C. Refresh the folder

Press ⌘R.

D. Check cloud folders

If the folder is on iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox:

• Make sure the file is fully downloaded, not online-only.

E. Turn Full Disk Access OFF and ON again

This resolves many “files missing” issues caused by macOS privacy rules.

Steps

1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access

2. Find Path Finder in the list

3. Turn the switch off

4. Wait 5 seconds

5. Turn it on again

6. Quit and reopen Path Finder

This refreshes macOS permissions and often restores missing files immediately.

If Finder also shows missing files

The issue is caused by macOS or cloud sync — not Path Finder.

3. Google Drive Not Showing or Not Syncing

Google no longer allows direct Google Drive login inside Path Finder.

How to access Google Drive in Path Finder

1. Install Google Drive for Desktop

2. Make sure it’s syncing locally

3. Open your Google Drive folder inside Path Finder:
   ~/Google Drive or ~/My Drive

Path Finder works with the local Google Drive folder.

4. Settings, Sidebar, or Toolbar Reset

Common symptoms

• Sidebar items missing

• Toolbar icons gone

• Layout resets after restart

How to fix it

Reset Path Finder’s preferences:

1. Quit Path Finder

2. Open Go → Go to Folder in Finder

3. Delete these:

~/Library/Application Support/Path Finder
~/Library/Preferences/com.cocoatech.PathFinder.plist
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.cocoatech.PathFinder.plist
~/Library/Caches/com.cocoatech.PathFinder
~/Library/Saved Application State/com.cocoatech.PathFinder.savedState

4. Reopen Path Finder

5. High CPU or High Memory Usage

Common causes

• Large folders

• Heavy preview generation

• Big thumbnail processing

• Cloud indexing

How to make Path Finder lighter

• Disable Calculate Folder Sizes

• Turn off unused Modules

• Avoid previewing huge media files

• Let indexing finish after installing or updating

6. File Copying, Moving, or Deleting Fails

Common symptoms

• “Copy stuck at 0%”

• “Trash won’t empty”

• “Operation cannot be completed”

How to fix it

1. Right-click file → Get Info → uncheck Locked

2. Make sure files in cloud folders are fully downloaded

3. Use the File Copy Queue (Window → File Copy Queue)

4. Use Secure Delete Trash for stubborn Trash issues

7. Cloud Sync Icons Wrong (iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive)

What to know

Path Finder displays the sync state provided by macOS.

How to fix it

1. Make sure your cloud provider’s app is running

2. Press ⌘R to refresh

3. If Finder also displays incorrect icons → the issue is with the cloud service

8. Path Finder Doesn’t Remember Layout or Windows

Symptoms

• Opens small window every time

• Does not remember dual pane

• Does not reopen previous folder

How to fix it

1. Set your preferred window layout

2. Go to Window → Save As Default

3. Quit and reopen Path Finder

If it still doesn’t work, reset preferences (see Issue #4).

9. Trial Expired After Reinstall

Reinstalling Path Finder does not reset the trial.
The trial is tied to your Mac hardware, not the app.

Options

• Subscribe monthly or yearly

• Purchase a one-time individual license

• If activation is not recognized, follow Issue #1 (activation fix)

10. General App Behavior Issues

If Path Finder feels “broken” or something behaves strangely:

• Modules won’t open

• Panels stuck

• UI elements missing

How to fix it

Reset preferences (see Issue #4).
This resolves most odd behavior.

Need More Help?

If none of these solutions work, contact us anytime:

📧 help@cocoatech.com