Skip to content

Mac Login Items Problems – How to Fix It 2026 Guides

Why Choose Keith Thomas

20 years of experience as a Senior Apple Support Specialist at Apple Computer UK HQ.

• Former Apple Computer UK Mac Support Specialist and Apple Authorised Service Provider background.

Established and Independent since 2010 for on‑site Apple Support Service – no call centres, no outsourcing, no hardware repairs. Over 25,000+ Apple problems resolved. Unique on-site Apple Support Service. backed up with Independent Apple Telephone Support Assistance.

• Trusted by home users, small businesses, and professionals across London and the South East UK.• Clear, honest, software‑only support. No Hardware Repairs. Expert Apple Consultancy Service.

On‑site Apple Mac Support in London and the South East UK

What this page covers

This guide explains the real reasons Mac login items cause problems, the steps you can try yourself, and when it’s time to get professional on‑site help. It applies to:

• MacBook Air

• MacBook Pro

• iMac

• Mac mini

• Mac Studio

If your Mac is slow to start, shows login item warnings, or apps open automatically when you don’t want them to, this page is for you.

The most common login item problems

These are the issues that Keith Thomas identifies most often during on‑site visits:

• Too many login items

• Damaged login item entries

• Apps added to login items without permission

• macOS update issues

• iCloud and background services loading at startup

• Corrupted user account

• Damaged system files

Quick checks you can do yourself

These steps solve around 70% of login item issues.

Check 1 – Restart the Mac

A restart clears temporary startup processes.

Check 2 – Remove unwanted login items

System Settings → General → Login Items → remove apps you don’t need.

Check 3 – Check “Allow in Background” items

Some apps run at login even if they don’t appear in the main list.

Check 4 – Update macOS

Login item warnings often appear after updates.

If login items slow down startup

This usually means:

• Too many apps loading at login

• Background services running unnecessarily

• Damaged login item entries

Try:

• Removing all non‑essential login items

• Restarting the Mac

• Updating all apps

If you see “Login Items Added” warnings

This usually means:

• Apps adding themselves automatically

• Background services re‑enabling themselves

• macOS privacy settings blocking items

Try:

• System Settings → General → Login Items → remove the item

• Restarting the Mac

• Reinstalling the app

If apps open automatically even after removal

This usually means:

• Damaged login item database

• App‑specific auto‑launch settings

• Corrupted user account

Try:

• Checking the app’s own settings

• Restarting the Mac

• Updating macOS

If login item problems started after a macOS update

This usually means:

• macOS privacy reset

• Spotlight reindexing

• iCloud syncing

Try:

• Re‑removing unwanted login items

• Restarting the Mac

• Leaving the Mac plugged in for a few hours

If login item issues affect only one user account

This usually means:

• Corrupted user account

• Damaged preferences

• Permissions issues

Try:

• Testing login items on another user account

• Restarting the Mac

• Reinstalling macOS without erasing data

When DIY stops working

You should get on‑site help if:

• Login items keep reappearing

• Startup is extremely slow

• macOS reinstall does not fix the issue

• Login item warnings appear constantly

• You need your data preserved

These issues usually require:

• Login item and system configuration repair

• macOS recovery

• Data‑safe macOS reinstall

• User account repair

• Permissions and system file diagnostics

On‑Site Apple Mac Support – London & South East UK

If you have Mac login item problems, Keith Thomas provides an often same‑day on‑site support service across:

• Central London

• West, North, South and East London

• Surrey

• Berkshire

• Hampshire

• Wiltshire

Keith Thomas is a Mac Support Specialist in:

• Login item and startup issues

• macOS configuration repair

• Data‑safe macOS recovery

• macOS reinstall and repair

• iCloud and Apple Account issues

• New Mac setup and migration

• User account and permissions diagnostics

Book on‑site help in London and the South East UK

If you have Mac login item problems, Keith Thomas can visit your home or office and get you working again.

Keith Thomas – Apple Mac Support Specialist

Established 2010 – Open 09:30–20:30, 7 Days

Contact Keith Thomas by Telephone: 07800 940756 or by Text to: 07800 940756, or simply complete an online website contact form 24/7