How to Resolve Error 36 on Mac While Copying Data to External Drive?

Updated on March 26, 2022

Mac OS users have the benefit of being able to read and write in a wide variety of formats. As a result, you can read/write most things on your Mac, including the memory card in your camera and networked Windows machine. When copying files, Mac users may experience “error code - 36”. Which can stop the process completely and send the user to Google for help.

What is Mac Error Code 36?

The Mac Error Code - 36 is a Mac error that affects the program finder, a file system software that is used to browse, search, and delete files, sort of the Mac OS. Error Code -36 occurs while using the program to copy files from a source to a destination.

When a large file is moved or transferred to any other device from your Mac, this error can get triggered. When you are in this situation, you will find issues in copying the files. Further, your files may get affected.

How To Fix Error Code 36 On Mac?

Using the below-mentioned steps, you can fix error code 36 on Mac with ease.

Method 1: Run disk utility to check the health of the drive

Mac OS comes with the First Aid application, Which you can use to validate the health of your disk both on an internal and external drive. If you are having problems with your source media, First Aid is a great way to identify the problem.

• From the Apple menu, Launch Finder > Go > Utilities and open Disk Utility.
• Select the drive that is causing issues and click First Aid (located on the first aid tab).
• Run the Verify Disk utility to scan the drive.
• Wait for the task to complete and you will get a summary of the media. If any errors are encountered, you can opt to get First Aid to attempt a logical fix.

Method 2: Check the file permission you are trying to Copy

• Use Finder to locate the file(s) you are trying to copy from (the source).
• Click on Get Info.
• Look for the Locked Files option, and make sure it is unchecked.
• Locate the Sharing and Permissions tab and select Everyone (making sure read/write permissions are enabled).

This fix will give the entire system access to your file(s), so use caution if you are a business and you don’t want to share files with other users.

Method 3: Copy the files via command line

• Open Terminal.
• Navigate to the source folder.
• Copy the file(s) to your local disk.

Method 4: Reset PRAM on Your Mac

In this method, we will show you how to reset the PRAM. When you reset it, this error 36 Mac will not be able to show up on your computer. To reset PRAM, the following steps should be considered.

• Begin with shutting down your system.
• Start your system again.
• Prior to the grey screen appearing on startup, tap the combination of the following keys. “Command” + “Option” + “P” + “R”
• Keep the keys pressed together. Release them when the startup sound is heard thrice.

Method 5: Check for a Stable External Media Connection on Your Mac

The error code 36 Mac external hard drive can appear due to a connection that isn’t stable. You can check your external drive to make certain that the connection has been properly established.

Method 6: Remove “.DS_Store” Files from Your Mac

The “.DS_Store” files are cache files. Made by macOS, these files are hidden. By default, these files can exist. Also, the macOS can make these through Finder and store them in the directories of your system.

When the error 36 Mac occurs due to these files, you can consider deleting them.

• Open the “Finder” app on your Mac.
• Click on the option of “Go”.
• In the pop-up menu, press “Utilities”.
• When you see the “Terminal” utility, click twice on it.
• Type in the “Administrator” password, in case it is required.
• Enter the command given below in the “Terminal”.
• “Sudo find / -name “.DS_Store” -depth -exec rm {} \;”
• Hit the “Return” key.
• The process to remove the “.DS_Store” files will begin.
• You may be prompted to write the “Administrator” password again. Write it and tap “Ok”.

Method 7: Use Terminal to Run “dot_clean” Command

The archive process of Finder may be triggering this error code 36 Mac High Sierra on your system. Due to this process, the dot-underscore files may get mismanaged. The dot_clean command can be used for removing this cause. After running this command, the error will stop occurring on your computer.

• Begin with searching for “Terminal”. Access the search box on the right for doing so.
• When the “Terminal” app opens, write the command given below.
• “dot_clean”
• Now, tap the “Return” key.
• Once the operation of the command is over, browse your system. The Mac error code 36 when transferring files should persist no longer.
• After the process is over, rebooting your computer will be required.

Still unable to resolve the error code 36 with the above methods? Then you might want to consider using Data Recovery software.

How To Recover Data When Error 36 Occurs?

When you fail to fix Error 36, the hard disk will be in a condition that, it will not let you to directly access stored data on it. So, you need an application like Yodot Mac Data Recovery to restore data from the Mac drive.

• Step 1: Download the Yodot Mac data recovery tool, install and launch it.
• Step 2: On running the program, the main screen appears with two distinct recovery options Volume Recovery and Formatted/Reformatted Recovery. Go with the appropriate option.
• Step 3: Upcoming window prompts you to mark the drive from where data needs to be fetched.
• Step 4: Let the program scan the specified drive. At the end of the scan process, it displays all recoverable items, whereby you can pick desired files or even continue to get all retrievable contents.
• Step 5: View extracted drive data among File Types View or Data View styles.
• Step 6: Continue to store regained disk data on some safe storage location.

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