System Preferences Not Responding on Mac

System Preferences is a core aspect of the macOS. It provides users with a convenient location where all sorts of settings are grouped. This is an extreme oversimplification because System Preferences gives you the ability to control and adjust nearly every detail and behavior of the macOS and the applications installed on the device. Being such an integral part, System Preferences is extremely unlikely to malfunction. It can still happen, though. So, what are your options if System Preferences is not responding and showing a message stating that it is busy and cannot be closed?

Force Quit System Preferences

1. Click and hold on System Preferences in the Dock. Choose 'Quit.'

or

2. Press Command+Option+Escape on your keyboard. Select System Preferences and then click 'Force Quit.'

Restart the Mac in Safe Mode

If a restart of the device doesn't fix the problem, then try opening System Preferences in Safe Mode.

1. Shut down the Mac.
2. Boot it back up while holding the Shift key on your keyboard.
3. Wait until you see the login window before releasing the Shift key.
4. Enter your account credentials, if required.
5. You will know that Safe Mode is active if you see 'Safe Boot' displayed at the top of the window. 
6. Check if System Preferences works normally. 

Reinstall the macOS

This is the final option if everything else has failed to fix the problem. Create a backup of the data on your Mac and proceed to reinstall the macOS. However, first, you need to access Recovery mode on your device. The method differs based on whether your Mac has Apple silicon or an Intel processor.

For Apple silicon:

1. Shut down your Mac if it is currently running.
2. Boot it back up but continue pressing the power button until the startup options window appears on the screen.
3. Select 'Options' (the gear icon).
4. Click 'Continue.'

For Intel processor:

1. Shut down the Mac if you are currently using it.
2. Start it back up but immediately press and hold Command + R on the keyboard. Keep pressing the buttons until you see an Apple logo or other image appear on the screen.

Now, that you have Recovery Mode running, all that is left is to choose 'Reinstall' from the Utilities window, click 'Continue,' and follow the on-screen instructions until the macOS has been reinstalled.