Finder error code -36 macOS Origin: Platform & cloud OSI layer 7 · Application Last updated 5 Nov 2026

macOS: The Finder can't complete the operation because some data in "x" can't be read or written. (Error code -36)

Finder hit a read/write problem while copying — usually metadata files (._*, .DS_Store) on non-Mac file systems or a failing disk.

Exact message you may see The Finder can't complete the operation because some data in can't be read or written. (Error code -36)Error code -36Finder error code -36 copying to external driveThe operation can’t be completed because some data can’t be read or written (error code -36)
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Seen on: macOS

Meaning

Common on external drives formatted FAT/exFAT/NTFS or network shares. Clean the metadata: dot_clean /Volumes/NAME and delete .DS_Store. Check the disk with First Aid, try another cable/port, or copy with rsync/ditto to see the underlying error.

Common causes

  • AppleDouble ._* metadata conflicts on FAT/exFAT
  • Corrupted file or bad sector
  • Flaky cable/port or failing drive
  • Network share path/length problems
  • Disk nearly full

⚡ Quick fix

  1. dot_clean -m /Volumes/NAME
  2. Disk Utility → First Aid on the drive
  3. Copy with rsync -av src dst to reveal the error

Detailed fix by platform

macOS

  1. dot_clean -mv /Volumes/NAME && diskutil verifyVolume /Volumes/NAME

How to diagnose

  1. Drive — Format and health?
  2. Files — ._ metadata?
  3. Tool — rsync result?

🔧 Still not fixed?

Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:

Where this error sits

Origin: Platform & cloud. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):

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