Freezing Menu Icon - Big Sur 11.1 Update

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TimmZahn

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Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2020 4:43 am

Post by TimmZahn » Wed Dec 16, 2020 4:55 am
Since updating to macOS 11.1, the first time the Viscosity application starts the icon in the menu bar freezes and the process must be killed. Upon second launch, the Viscosity menu bar icon and services appear to work as expected.

James

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Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:27 pm

Post by James » Mon Jan 04, 2021 6:43 pm
Hi TimmZahn,

There are no known issues with Viscosity 1.9 on macOS 11.1. If Viscosity is hanging at login (rather than when being launched manually), it is likely the result of macOS launching an old copy. Please see the following article:
https://www.sparklabs.com/support/kb/ar ... t-at-login

If you're manually launching it (by double-clicking on Viscosity in the Finder), and the first time it is hanging, then I'd say it's probably the result of security or enterprise management software. Please see:
https://www.sparklabs.com/support/kb/ar ... -not-start

You may also like to try giving the latest beta version of Viscosity a try. While it doesn't address any issues like this, it is built against a newer macOS SDK version:
https://www.sparklabs.com/support/kb/ar ... -versions/

Cheers,
James
Web: https://www.sparklabs.com
Support: https://www.sparklabs.com/support
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparklabs

TimmZahn

Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2020 4:43 am

Post by TimmZahn » Tue Jan 12, 2021 5:20 am
Quick update:

As suggested I verified that I only had one copy/version of the app installed. The only copy installed is current.

While messing with things, I discovered that I can only reproduce it when it is launched due to being included in the Login Items. I had it in the Login Items since I use it all day for work. But because of the suggestion regarding "If you're manually launching it...", I removed it from my Login Items, rebooted and launched it manually and the freezing icon issue did not occur. Over the course of a couple of days, when convenient, I tried it again. And I can only reproduce the icon freezing issue when it is started via the Login Items. It does not occur when launched manually after the system is ready.

I also forgot to put the system information in the original post, in the event that it's relevant:

Mac Mini (M1, 2020)
macOS 11.1 (20C69)

James

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Posts: 2313
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:27 pm

Post by James » Wed Jan 13, 2021 7:33 pm
Hi TimmZahn,

Please ensure that you've run through the other suggestions in the linked article. As above, I also recommend you try the latest beta version of Viscosity as well.

In particular, if this is a work owned or managed machine, there is a good chance any enterprise security/management software will need to be updated. I also recommend running Viscosity from your Applications folder (if it is located elsewhere), just in case you're running into a permissions issue.

In addition to the steps listed in the article, I also recommend checking what other software you have starting at login, (both as Login Items as well as Launch Agents), as it's possible it may be preventing Viscosity from launching. I also recommend you try running through the steps at:
https://appletoolbox.com/mac-os-x-login ... ot_working

Finally, if you're still stuck I recommend checking the Console for any relevant error messages or warnings around the time you login:
https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/c ... 1/mac/11.0

Cheers,
James
Web: https://www.sparklabs.com
Support: https://www.sparklabs.com/support
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparklabs

porkozone

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Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2021 6:43 am

Post by porkozone » Sat Jan 30, 2021 7:27 am
We have a user on 11.1 and v1.9 who is also experiencing this same issue. He does have Viscosity set to launch at startup.

I will try to do some tests, but part of the issue is that he is not an admin user and is currently remote, and to install v1.9 we had to jump through several hoops to get Viscosity updated in the first place, since the admin account on this machine did not have a viscosity profile, and we had to disconnect from VPN in order to install (since it could not be running). We managed to grant him temporary admin access then, but that is not something we are looking forward to doing so again. It IS in his /Applications folder, which is why the admin is needed to update.

Login Items:
Printer Processor
Adobe Acrobat Synchronizer
Viscosity
Avaya Workplace

Launch Agents:
com.adobe.GC.Invoker-1.0

James

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Posts: 2313
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:27 pm

Post by James » Sat Jan 30, 2021 12:32 pm
Hi porkozone,

Please ensure you've followed all the steps listed here:
https://www.sparklabs.com/support/kb/ar ... t-at-login

In particular, make sure you follow Step 4, and when re-enabling the login item option make sure the user has *not* ticked the "Hide" option.

Cheers,
James
Web: https://www.sparklabs.com
Support: https://www.sparklabs.com/support
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparklabs
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