5 Best Fixes for Stage Manager Not Working on Mac

With macOS Ventura, Apple released the Stage Manager feature to improve multitasking. It’s an extension of Mission Control and is available for Macs running on Intel-based and Apple’s M-series processors.

Here are solutions to fix Stage Manager if it’s not working on your Mac:

1. Ensure you have macOS Ventura installed. Stage Manager won’t work on macOS Catalina or older versions.

2. If Stage Manager is not working properly, try these solutions:

– Restart your Mac and check if the issue is resolved.

– Update your Mac to the latest version of macOS Ventura.

– Reset the SMC (System Management Controller) on your Mac.

– Reset the NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) on your Mac.

– Reset the PRAM (Parameter RAM) on your Mac.

– Use the Activity Monitor to check for conflicting processes or high resource usage.

If none of these solutions solve the issue, contact Apple support for further assistance.

1. Check if More Than Four App Windows Are Open

Stage Manager supports only four app windows displayed in the left panel when you turn on the feature. The solution is to have no more than four app windows open on your Mac. You can close unnecessary app windows or switch to using Spaces to create multiple desktops.

2. Check Mission Control Settings

To enable Stage Manager on your Mac, follow these steps:

1. Open Spotlight Search by pressing Command + Spacebar.

2. Type “System Settings” and press Return.

If you can’t find the Stage Manager icon or it’s greyed out in Control Center, you can fix this by adjusting the Mission Control settings.

Step 2: In the System Settings, scroll down the menu and click on Desktop and Dock.

Step 3: Scroll down on the right side and find Mission Control.

Step 4: Under Mission Control, toggle ‘Displays Have Separate Spaces’ to enable it.

Step 5: Close the window and check if you can turn on Stage Manager from the Control Center.

3. Restart Your Mac

Restarting your Mac can fix most software-related issues. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click the Apple icon at the top-left corner.

2. Select Restart from the options.

3. After your Mac restarts, check if Stage Manager works.

4. Boot Your Mac in Safe Mode

If Stage Manager is not working on your Mac, try booting it in Safe Mode. This will prevent interference from third-party apps and start your Mac with only the system apps. Follow these steps:

1. Restart your Mac.

2. Press and hold the Shift key immediately after you hear the startup sound.

3. Release the Shift key when the Apple logo appears.

4. Wait for your Mac to finish starting up. It may take longer than usual.

5. Test Stage Manager to see if it is working properly.

If Stage Manager works fine in Safe Mode, it means that a third-party app is causing the issue. You can try uninstalling recently installed apps one by one to identify the problematic app.

For Macs With M-Series Chip

Step 1: Click the Apple logo at the top-left corner.

Step 2: Click on Shut Down.

Step 3: After your Mac shuts down, press and hold the Power Button until you see the two startup options – Macintosh HD and Options.

Step 4: Select Macintosh HD while holding the Shift key and select ‘Continue in Safe Mode.’

Step 5: After booting up your Mac, check if Stage Manager is working.

For Macs With Intel Chip

Step 1: Click the Apple logo at the top-left corner.

Step 2: Select Restart from the options.

Step 3: When your Mac restarts, press and hold the Shift key. Release it when you see the login window.

Step 4: Sign in and check if Stage Manager is working on your Mac.

5. Check for macOS Update

The macOS Ventura update introduces Stage Manager, which is currently in its early stages. Apple is actively enhancing this feature through regular software updates to address any bugs or glitches. If you’re still experiencing issues after trying the previous solutions, we suggest checking for the latest macOS update.

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight Search, type “System Settings,” and press Return.

Step 2: Scroll down the menu and click on General.

Step 3: Click on Software Update on the right side.

Step 4: Download and install any available updates.

After updating, launch Stage Manager on your Mac.

Get Back to Multitasking

If Stage Manager on your Mac is not working properly, use these solutions to fix the issues. Additionally, you can explore our post on helpful macOS apps to optimize your Mac and enhance its performance.