How to fix Finder error code 36

Have you ever encountered Finder Error Code 36 while trying to transfer files on your Mac? It's a frustrating issue that can prevent you from moving your files seamlessly. But fear not! In this friendly guide, we will walk you through the steps to fix Finder Error Code 36 and get your file transfers back on track.

Section 1: Fixing Finder Error Code 36 for Supported Storage Devices

If you are experiencing Finder Error Code 36 while transferring files from supported storage devices such as external hard drives or USB flash drives, follow these steps:

Step 1: Format Drive to HFS+

One possible cause of Finder Error Code 36 is an incompatible file system on your storage device. To resolve this, you need to format the drive to the HFS+ file system, which is compatible with macOS. Here's how you can do it:

1. Connect the storage device to your Mac.

2. Open Disk Utility, which you can find in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder.

3. In Disk Utility, locate the storage device in the sidebar and select it.

4. Click on the Erase tab.

5. Choose "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" as the format.

6. Give your drive a name and click Erase.

Step 2: Run Disk Utility and select Erase tab

After formatting the drive, you should run Disk Utility again to ensure its health and integrity. Follow these steps:

1. Open Disk Utility.

2. Select the newly formatted drive in the sidebar.

3. Click on the Erase tab.

4. Click on the Erase button to start the process.

Step 3: Use Dot_clean to convert Windows files to Mac files

Sometimes, Finder Error Code 36 can occur when you try to transfer files that have incompatible characters or file names. To convert these files to a format compatible with macOS, you can use the Dot_clean command in Terminal. Here's how:

1. Open Terminal, which you can find in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder.

2. Type the following command: dot_clean /Path/To/Your/Folder

(Replace "/Path/To/Your/Folder" with the actual path to the folder containing the problematic files.)

3. Press Enter to execute the command.

Step 4: Use Disk Utility to check disk health and repair if damaged

Another possible cause of Finder Error Code 36 is a damaged disk. Disk Utility can help you identify any disk issues and repair them. Follow these steps:

1. Open Disk Utility.

2. Select your storage device in the sidebar.

3. Click on the First Aid tab.

4. Click on the Verify Disk button to check for any disk errors.

5. If any errors are found, click on the Repair Disk button to fix them.

Step 5: Unlock Folder

Sometimes, Finder Error Code 36 can occur due to restricted access to a specific folder. To unlock the folder, follow these steps:

1. Locate the folder causing the error.

2. Right-click on the folder and select Get Info.

3. In the Info window, unlock the padlock icon by clicking on it and entering your administrator password.

Step 6: Log in using the administrator account and change file property

If you are still experiencing Finder Error Code 36, try logging in using the administrator account and changing the file's properties. Here's how:

1. Log out of your current account.

2. Log in using the administrator account.

3. Locate the file causing the error.

4. Right-click on the file and select Get Info.

5. In the Info window, click on the padlock icon to unlock it.

6. Click on the gear icon at the bottom of the window and select Apply to enclosed items.

7. Confirm the action when prompted.

Section 2: Fixing Finder Error Code 36 for Non-Supported Storage Devices

If you encounter Finder Error Code 36 while transferring files from non-supported storage devices such as network drives or external Windows-formatted drives, follow these steps:

Step 1: Format Drive to HFS+

The first step is to format the non-supported storage device to the HFS+ file system. Follow the instructions provided in Section 1, Step 1.

Step 2: Run Disk Utility and select Erase tab (Verify Disk)

After formatting the drive, run Disk Utility again, but this time select the Verify Disk option for checking the disk's health. Follow the instructions provided in Section 1, Step 2.

Step 3: Unlock Folder

If you encounter any folders causing the error, make sure to unlock them. Follow the instructions provided in Section 1, Step 5.

Step 4: Right-click the file and access File Info

To access the file's properties, right-click on the file causing the error and select Get Info. This will open the Info window.

Step 5: Set Read & Write for the account you are using

In the Info window, locate the Sharing & Permissions section. Make sure the account you are using has both Read and Write permissions. If not, click on the lock icon, enter your administrator password, and change the permissions accordingly.

Fixing Finder Error Code 36 doesn't have to be a daunting task. By following the steps outlined in this friendly guide, you can easily resolve this issue and get back to smoothly transferring your files. Remember to format your storage devices to the HFS+ file system, run Disk Utility for disk health checks and repairs, unlock any folders causing the error, and ensure you have the necessary permissions to access and modify files. With these steps, you should be able to fix Finder Error Code 36 and enjoy hassle-free file transfers on your Mac. Happy file transferring!