Understanding the Issue: Finder Freezes on SMB Access<\/h2>\n
macOS Finder is usually responsive, even when working over a local network. So it was particularly jarring when accessing my file server began causing slowdowns, spinning beach balls, and even full-on system freezes. Logging in to a server via Sometimes, the only fix was to force-quit Finder or even reboot the system. This issue affected daily workflows and made working directly off the network share nearly impossible.<\/p>\n I began with a standard set of troubleshooting tactics that are often successful with local network issues:<\/p>\n These steps ruled out network routing issues, user profile corruption, and even Wi-Fi-specific problems. But the problem remained: Finder struggled (and sometimes failed) to list the contents of network directories. Interestingly, accessing the files via the command line using After diving into macOS documentation and several network-focused forums, I came across multiple users reporting that SMB signing<\/strong>\u2014a protocol feature that ensures the authenticity of SMB packets\u2014was responsible for similar slowdowns. Although SMB signing provides a layer of security, it comes at a performance cost.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what I found:<\/p>\n The signs pointed toward this being a potential root cause of the Finder freezes. I then decided to test the SMB signing workaround that several users had recommended.<\/p>\n To disable SMB signing on macOS, you need to modify the system\u2019s SMB configuration file. Here’s how I did it:<\/p>\n 1. Create or edit the SMB configuration file:<\/strong><\/p>\n 2. Insert the following lines:<\/strong><\/p>\n This setting tells macOS not to require SMB packet signing for all SMB mounts by default.<\/p>\n 3. Save and exit the file:<\/strong> Press 4. Restart your Mac<\/strong> to apply the changes.<\/p>\n After that, I re-mounted the network shares and started testing folder navigation in Finder.<\/p>\n Almost immediately, the difference was noticeable. Network directories that previously took 15\u201320 seconds to open appeared in under a second. Finder no longer froze. The system remained responsive while switching between folders and listing large image libraries and project directories.<\/p>\n The performance, although not identical to browsing local drives, became acceptable and reliable again\u2014restoring a significant chunk of daily productivity.<\/p>\n It\u2019s crucial to understand the trade-off involved in disabling SMB signing. SMB signing is a security feature that helps prevent man-in-the-middle attacks by validating the authenticity of the server. Disabling it reduces that verification, which could be a concern in open or hostile networks.<\/p>\n In my case, the NAS and Mac were located within a small, secure office LAN with strong physical and logical security policies in place. If you\u2019re accessing files over VPN or untrusted networks, this workaround may not be appropriate or secure enough for your usage.<\/p>\n Before arriving at the SMB signing workaround, I explored several other options. Some yielded minor benefits, while others gave no improvement. Here are alternatives you might consider depending on your setup:<\/p>\nCommand + K<\/code> and mounting the drive worked\u2014but as soon as I clicked on any folder or drilled into a directory that contained a moderate number of files (say 50 or more), the Finder would lock up for 10\u201320 seconds.<\/p>\nInitial Troubleshooting Attempts<\/h3>\n
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smbutil statshares<\/code> to check mount stats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nls<\/code> or using third-party file managers was much faster\u2014clearly pointing to something specific within the Finder + SMB interaction.<\/p>\nSuspecting SMB Signing<\/h2>\n
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The SMB Signing Workaround<\/h2>\n
Step-by-Step Instructions<\/h3>\n
sudo nano \/etc\/nsmb.conf<\/code><\/pre>\n[default]\nsigning_required=no<\/code><\/pre>\nControl + X<\/code>, then Y<\/code>, and hit Enter<\/code>.<\/p>\nThe Results<\/h3>\n
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\nSecurity Considerations<\/h2>\n
Other Safety Options<\/h3>\n
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\/etc\/nsmb.conf<\/code>).<\/li>\nAlternative Fixes Explored<\/h2>\n
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