Minecraft Launcher Crashing When Trying to Log In on MacBook: Common Causes and How to Fix It
If you’ve been attempting to play Minecraft on your MacBook—only to have the launcher crash the moment you try to log in—you’re not alone. A number of players have reported sudden crashes or freezes, particularly right after clicking “Login.” One less obvious (but increasingly common) culprit can be related to Microsoft’s Passkey (or fingerprint) authentication being enabled on your Microsoft account.
In this article, we’ll walk you through why this might be causing issues and the steps you can take to fix the problem.
1. Understanding the Problem
Why Does the Minecraft Launcher Crash?
• Authentication Conflict: When Minecraft transitioned to Microsoft account login, the launcher began relying on Microsoft’s authentication services. Sometimes, advanced security methods (like Passkey or Windows Hello fingerprint) cause conflicts in the sign-in process.
• MacOS vs. Microsoft Services: Although MacBooks do not use Windows Hello, your Microsoft account might still have these advanced sign-in options enabled. If the launcher attempts to direct you to a login flow expecting a fingerprint or a security key, the process can fail on macOS, leading to crashes.
• Version or Compatibility Glitches: Outdated Minecraft launcher versions or even older macOS versions sometimes conflict with new login protocols.
2. Disabling Microsoft Passkey (Fingerprint) Authentication
One reported workaround is disabling the Passkey/Fingerprint option on your Microsoft account side. This step can help ensure the launcher uses a more traditional username-and-password flow, avoiding potential security key conflicts.
How to Turn Off Microsoft Passkey (Fingerprint) Authentication
1. Go to Your Microsoft Account Settings
• Open your browser and navigate to https://account.microsoft.com/.
• Log in with the same Microsoft account you use for Minecraft.
2. Access Security Settings
• Once signed in, locate and click on “Security” (usually found on the top navigation bar).
3. Open Advanced Security Options
• Under the Security section, you should see a link for “Advanced security options.” Click on it.
4. Locate Passkeys or Windows Hello
• In the advanced security area, look for settings related to Windows Hello or Passkeys.
• This may be labeled as “Security keys,” “Fingerprint sign-in,” or “Passwordless Account” depending on Microsoft’s current interface.
5. Disable or Remove the Passkey
• If you see a Passkey or Windows Hello method listed, select “Remove”, “Disable,” or an option that indicates turning it off.
• You may need to confirm by signing in with your regular password or providing another form of authentication.
6. Verify Changes
• After disabling passkeys, refresh the page to ensure the setting is updated.
• Log out of your Microsoft account and then log back in to confirm that it’s now prompting for a standard password rather than fingerprint or security key.
Once you’ve disabled these advanced methods, try restarting the Minecraft Launcher on your MacBook and logging in again.
3. Other Steps to Consider
If disabling the passkey/fingerprint does not resolve the issue entirely (or if you don’t have a passkey enabled in the first place), here are some additional troubleshooting steps:
1. Update the Minecraft Launcher
• Make sure you have the latest version of the Minecraft Launcher.
• You can do this by opening the App Store (if you installed it there) or Microsoft Store (if somehow you’re accessing it through Windows emulation), or by downloading the newest .dmg from the official Minecraft website.
2. Log Out and Log Back In (Microsoft Account)
• If you already had the launcher open, sign out of your Microsoft account within the Minecraft Launcher.
• Fully close the launcher, wait a few seconds, and then relaunch it.
• Attempt to log back in with your standard username and password credentials.
3. Clear Minecraft Cache or .minecraft Folder
• Sometimes the game’s cache can become corrupted. Go to ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft and backup any important worlds or mods.
• You can temporarily move or rename your .minecraft folder to see if that resolves the crash.
4. Check macOS Updates
• Ensure your MacBook is running the latest macOS version.
• Go to Apple Menu > System Settings > General > Software Update to check for and install any pending updates.
5. Reinstall the Minecraft Launcher
• Uninstall the existing launcher from Applications.
• Download a fresh copy from the official Minecraft website.
• Drag and drop the new launcher into your Applications folder before running it.
6. Disable Third-Party Security/Antivirus
• Some antivirus or third-party security tools can interfere with authentication flows.
• Temporarily disable them to see if it resolves the issue (be sure to re-enable once you’ve tested).
7. Check Firewall Settings
• Make sure your Mac’s firewall or any network firewall is not blocking the Microsoft authentication process.
• You can adjust firewall settings in System Settings > Network > Firewall on macOS (depending on your macOS version).
4. When to Contact Support
If none of these steps fix the crash:
1. Contact Minecraft (Mojang) Support:
• Visit Mojang Support and submit a ticket.
• Include details of your crash logs, macOS version, and the steps you’ve tried.
2. Microsoft Account Support:
• If you suspect the issue is more related to your Microsoft account settings or you can’t find the Passkey options, Microsoft Support can guide you further.
5. Conclusion
Minecraft launcher crashes on a Mac can be exasperating, particularly when they seem to come out of nowhere. If the root cause is tied to Microsoft’s advanced Passkey (fingerprint) authentication, disabling that feature on your Microsoft account can often solve the problem. After turning off Passkey, remember to perform basic maintenance steps like restarting the launcher and checking for updates.
By following the tips above, most players can get back to mining, building, and exploring without the headache of unexpected crashes. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out to official support channels for more in-depth assistance. Happy crafting!
If you’ve been attempting to play Minecraft on your MacBook—only to have the launcher crash the moment you try to log in—you’re not alone. A number of players have reported sudden crashes or freezes, particularly right after clicking “Login.” One less obvious (but increasingly common) culprit can be related to Microsoft’s Passkey (or fingerprint) authentication being enabled on your Microsoft account.
In this article, we’ll walk you through why this might be causing issues and the steps you can take to fix the problem.
1. Understanding the Problem
Why Does the Minecraft Launcher Crash?
• Authentication Conflict: When Minecraft transitioned to Microsoft account login, the launcher began relying on Microsoft’s authentication services. Sometimes, advanced security methods (like Passkey or Windows Hello fingerprint) cause conflicts in the sign-in process.
• MacOS vs. Microsoft Services: Although MacBooks do not use Windows Hello, your Microsoft account might still have these advanced sign-in options enabled. If the launcher attempts to direct you to a login flow expecting a fingerprint or a security key, the process can fail on macOS, leading to crashes.
• Version or Compatibility Glitches: Outdated Minecraft launcher versions or even older macOS versions sometimes conflict with new login protocols.
2. Disabling Microsoft Passkey (Fingerprint) Authentication
One reported workaround is disabling the Passkey/Fingerprint option on your Microsoft account side. This step can help ensure the launcher uses a more traditional username-and-password flow, avoiding potential security key conflicts.
How to Turn Off Microsoft Passkey (Fingerprint) Authentication
1. Go to Your Microsoft Account Settings
• Open your browser and navigate to https://account.microsoft.com/.
• Log in with the same Microsoft account you use for Minecraft.
2. Access Security Settings
• Once signed in, locate and click on “Security” (usually found on the top navigation bar).
3. Open Advanced Security Options
• Under the Security section, you should see a link for “Advanced security options.” Click on it.
4. Locate Passkeys or Windows Hello
• In the advanced security area, look for settings related to Windows Hello or Passkeys.
• This may be labeled as “Security keys,” “Fingerprint sign-in,” or “Passwordless Account” depending on Microsoft’s current interface.
5. Disable or Remove the Passkey
• If you see a Passkey or Windows Hello method listed, select “Remove”, “Disable,” or an option that indicates turning it off.
• You may need to confirm by signing in with your regular password or providing another form of authentication.
6. Verify Changes
• After disabling passkeys, refresh the page to ensure the setting is updated.
• Log out of your Microsoft account and then log back in to confirm that it’s now prompting for a standard password rather than fingerprint or security key.
Once you’ve disabled these advanced methods, try restarting the Minecraft Launcher on your MacBook and logging in again.
3. Other Steps to Consider
If disabling the passkey/fingerprint does not resolve the issue entirely (or if you don’t have a passkey enabled in the first place), here are some additional troubleshooting steps:
1. Update the Minecraft Launcher
• Make sure you have the latest version of the Minecraft Launcher.
• You can do this by opening the App Store (if you installed it there) or Microsoft Store (if somehow you’re accessing it through Windows emulation), or by downloading the newest .dmg from the official Minecraft website.
2. Log Out and Log Back In (Microsoft Account)
• If you already had the launcher open, sign out of your Microsoft account within the Minecraft Launcher.
• Fully close the launcher, wait a few seconds, and then relaunch it.
• Attempt to log back in with your standard username and password credentials.
3. Clear Minecraft Cache or .minecraft Folder
• Sometimes the game’s cache can become corrupted. Go to ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft and backup any important worlds or mods.
• You can temporarily move or rename your .minecraft folder to see if that resolves the crash.
4. Check macOS Updates
• Ensure your MacBook is running the latest macOS version.
• Go to Apple Menu > System Settings > General > Software Update to check for and install any pending updates.
5. Reinstall the Minecraft Launcher
• Uninstall the existing launcher from Applications.
• Download a fresh copy from the official Minecraft website.
• Drag and drop the new launcher into your Applications folder before running it.
6. Disable Third-Party Security/Antivirus
• Some antivirus or third-party security tools can interfere with authentication flows.
• Temporarily disable them to see if it resolves the issue (be sure to re-enable once you’ve tested).
7. Check Firewall Settings
• Make sure your Mac’s firewall or any network firewall is not blocking the Microsoft authentication process.
• You can adjust firewall settings in System Settings > Network > Firewall on macOS (depending on your macOS version).
4. When to Contact Support
If none of these steps fix the crash:
1. Contact Minecraft (Mojang) Support:
• Visit Mojang Support and submit a ticket.
• Include details of your crash logs, macOS version, and the steps you’ve tried.
2. Microsoft Account Support:
• If you suspect the issue is more related to your Microsoft account settings or you can’t find the Passkey options, Microsoft Support can guide you further.
5. Conclusion
Minecraft launcher crashes on a Mac can be exasperating, particularly when they seem to come out of nowhere. If the root cause is tied to Microsoft’s advanced Passkey (fingerprint) authentication, disabling that feature on your Microsoft account can often solve the problem. After turning off Passkey, remember to perform basic maintenance steps like restarting the launcher and checking for updates.
By following the tips above, most players can get back to mining, building, and exploring without the headache of unexpected crashes. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out to official support channels for more in-depth assistance. Happy crafting!
