Dock missing after iPhoto, ProKit updates; simple fix

[Wednesday, February 6th]

Some users have reported that their Mac OS X Docks are mysteriously absent from view after applying the recent iPhoto 7.1.2 or ProKit 4.5 updates. MacFixIt reader Robert Crooke, for instance, writes:

"After yesterday's download i have lost the use of my dock and cannot see it or reactivate it."

The fix for this issue is usually simple. Launch Activity Monitor (located in /Applications/Utilities -- you access Spotlight and type "Activity Monitor" if your Finder is not functioning properly) and find "Dock" in the process list. Select it, then press the Quit button, choosing to force quit. The Dock will relaunch and should appear after a few seconds. You may also need to force quit the Finder (perform the same procedure on the process named "Finder").

Failing the aforementioned, navigate to ~/Library/Preferences (~ represents your home user folder) and delete the file com.apple.dock.plist, then force the Dock to quit.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Resources