CoreServicesUIAgent Won’t Close

To force quit CoreServicesUIAgent, select Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor. Locate the CoreServicesUIAgent process on the list, click on it, and terminate it by clicking the X at the top.

This process helps to kill background processes on a Mac, not just CoreServicesUIAgent. Use it when apps are stuck or unresponsive.

What is CoreServicesUIAgent?

CoreServicesUIAgent is a normal macOS background process that manages app updates and permissions.

It also manages Gatekeeper verification (code signing/notarization). While CoreServicesUIAgent is a common Mac process, it may occasionally malfunction, requiring you to force quit it. Still stuck? Find out what to do when force quit isn’t working on a Mac.

Why CoreServicesUIAgent won’t сlose

CoreServicesUIAgent won’t quit? It might happen because of outdated macOS, macOS system glitches, a malware infection stopping the CoreServicesUIAgent from closing, or third-party apps’ conflict with the Core Services UI Agent service.

A note from our experts: 

 

This guide contains everything you need to know about closing the CoreServicesUIAgent. But if you want an efficient fix, MacKeeper’s Premium Services is the solution you need. It connects you to a tech expert who is experienced in solving Mac system issues, like a CoreServicesUIAgent that’s stuck, a MacBook that won't turn off, and more. This makes it a quicker and more professional way to troubleshoot common system-related problems.

 

Follow these steps to use MacKeeper’s Premium Services:

1. Download the MacKeeper software on your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air device.
2. Install the app and open it.
3. Click on Premium Services in the sidebar (you’ll find it below the Find & Fix feature), followed by the Chat Now button on the right side of the screen, and explain the problem to the tech expert.
4. Follow the tech expert’s instructions, then sit back, relax, and let them fix it for you.

Is it safe to keep using Mac when CoreServicesUIAgent won’t close?

Yes, it’s generally safe to continue using your Mac if the CoreServicesUIAgent dialog remains open. However, you should prioritize fixing the stuck CoreServicesUIAgent process as soon as possible. If not, the process may block installations or updates and could signal deeper app-related issues.

How to fix a CoreServicesUIAgent that won’t close

Here are 7 ways we advise to close a CoreServicesUIAgent that’s stuck on a Mac:

1. Force quit CoreServicesUIAgent in Activity Monitor.
2. Reboot your Mac to refresh the system.
3. Delete the problematic installer.
4. Use Safe Mode.
5. Reset NVRAM/PRAM.
6. Run First Aid in Disk Utility.
7. Update macOS to fix bugs in the system.

1. Force quit CoreServicesUIAgent

Apart from MacKeeper’s Premium Services feature, our go-to solution for fixing a stuck CoreServicesUIAgent process is Activity Monitor. Mac’s Activity Monitor is an excellent tool for quitting lagging background processes and a Mac application that’s not responding.

Force-quitting the CoreServicesUIAgent is a straightforward process. Here’s how it goes:

1. Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.
2. Select the CoreServicesUIAgent process on the list, click on the X icon at the top of the window, and choose Force Quit.

2. Reboot your Mac

Restarting your Mac device is a quick way to end background processes like CoreServicesUIAgent. It comes in handy when the force quit method doesn’t work, or if we prefer a simpler solution we’re more familiar with.

Follow this approach to restart your Mac:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your screen.
2. Select the Restart option from the drop-down menu, and then check if the CoreServicesUIAgent is still stuck after your Mac powers back up.

3. Delete problematic installer

We’ve found that a corrupt or suspicious app installer from a third-party app can sometimes be responsible for a CoreServicesUIAgent process not closing. In this case, we delete the faulty .pkg or .dmg file.

Here’s how to delete a faulty installer:

1. Click on Finder > Downloads.
2. Find the file you want to delete and send it to the trash.

4. Use Safe Mode

If we suspect background items or third-party apps are the root of the problem, we close a hung CoreServicesUIAgent process using Safe Mode. Mac’s Safe Mode runs a basic disk check and clears system cache, which fixes frozen processes.

Follow the steps below to boot your MacBook computer into Safe Mode:

On Apple Silicon:

1. Shut down your computer and hold the Power button until the Loading Startup Options window appears on the screen.
2. Choose your disk, hold down the Shift key, and click Continue in Safe Mode.
3. Log in to your Mac and check if the CoreServicesUIAgent dialog still appears.

On an Intel-based Mac:

1. Restart your Mac, ensuring you hold down the Shift key when it turns on.
2. Release the Shift key when the login screen appears.
3. Log in to your Mac as usual.

5. Reset NVRAM/PRAM

NVRAM and PRAM are memory chips that store temporary settings for Mac services. Resetting NVRAM/PRAM can help fix launch-related issues like a CoreServicesUIAgent process that won’t quit. Note that the option to reset NVRAM/PRAM is only available on Intel Macs. Apple Silicon devices reset these settings on restart.

To reset PRAM/NVRAM on an Intel-based Mac, do this:

1. Turn off your laptop.
2. Switch it back on and quickly press the Command + Option + P + R keys, releasing after about 20 seconds.

6. Run First Aid in Disk Utility

We typically use First Aid to check for disk errors causing issues on our Macs. We recommend you try it if you think the CoreServicesUIAgent process isn’t closing because of a system glitch or file system error, as it usually does the trick.

Run First Aid in Disk Utility to rectify a problematic CoreServicesUIAgent process. Here’s how:

1. Open Disk Utility.
2. Select the drive you want to check and hit the First Aid button at the top of the window.
3. Click on Run in the pop-up window.

7. Update macOS

When all else fails, we go back to our tried and true fix: updating macOS. This often helps us fix bugs related to CoreServicesUIAgent. Remember to update macOS regularly to access the latest updates, features, and security fixes needed to keep your Mac working optimally.

Here’s how to update macOS:

1. Click on the Apple logo > System Settings > General > Software Update.
2. Wait a few moments. If your device finds new updates, hit the Update Now button to implement them.

Easily fix a CoreServicesUIAgent process that won’t close

Mac processes that won’t close can be an inconvenience—including CoreServicesUIAgent. Fortunately, we’ve listed all the solutions you can try to close this process once and for all. Force quit CoreServicesUIAgent in Activity Monitor, reboot your Mac, or delete the problematic installer. Use Safe Mode or reset NVRAM/PRAM. If neither of these fixes works, run First Aid in Disk Utility or update macOS.

And when you don’t feel like going through seven methods to fix one minor issue, leave it to the professionals. Use MacKeeper’s Premium Services to access help from tech experts who should help you fix a hung CoreServicesUIAgent or other related Mac issues.