Plug-ins are a great help to access some features that browsers don’t usually come with as default. But, suddenly while trying to use your plug-in, a pop up calling “blocked plug-in” can be annoying.
Your seamless Mac experience is on pause and you need to remove the block to get back your smooth sail. In this extensive guide, we’ll show you how to remove blocked plug-ins on Mac with 3 different methods:
- With an easy check-up,
- Using a third-party automatic tool, and
- Following a manual removal process for your convenience.
You can follow any method and efficiently remove the blocked plug-ins within a few minutes.
Here you go:
Basic Overview About blocked plug-in on Mac
Until you hit the “blocked plug-in” alert, using plug-ins on Mac is a breeze. Let’s see some basic overview about this hiccup signal.
When Do You Face Blocked Plug-in on Macs?
Here’s a closer look at when this hiccup typically appears:
1. Adobe Software Interactions:
Trying to access content requiring Adobe plugins (E.x., Flash, Acrobat) often triggers the blockage.
When clicking a link to a PDF in Safari, it can be greeted by a black screen bearing the dreaded message that look like this:
2. Multimedia Websites:
Sites that lean on Adobe Flash for videos or games are usual suspects. You’re all set for some multimedia fun, and suddenly, a popup demands the latest Flash Player version to proceed.
Why Is My Mac Saying Blocked Plug-in?
Understanding the “why” behind a blocked plug-in can be your first step towards a solution.
Let’s pinpoint the common culprits:
- Outdated Plug-ins: The most straightforward reason can be your plug-in might be out of date. So it fails to meet the current standards required by your browser or macOS.
- Security Concerns: macOS is vigilant about your security. If a plug-in is known for vulnerabilities or security issues, macOS will block it to protect your system.
- Compatibility Issues: Sometimes, plug-ins just don’t play well with the latest macOS version and lead to automatic blocking.
- Malware and Malvertising: Not all blocked plug-in alerts are what they seem. Some are traps set by malware distributors, like Soap2Day, Pipidae, Search Baron, and Genieo.
They aim to deceive you into downloading harmful software under the guise of a plug-in update.
Why would Apple block your plug-in?
Above we said that sometimes Apple or macOS blocked your plugins, right? But, why they block, let’s figure it out.
- Security Vulnerabilities are the top reason. Because plug-ins with security flaws can expose you to cyber threats like malware attacks and data breaches.
- Obsolete Technology gets sidelined as Apple pushes for the use of modern, secure, and efficient web standards in place of outdated plug-ins.
- Poor Performance from plug-ins sometimes lead the system to slowdowns or degrades.
- End of Life announcements for plug-ins signal Apple to block them to avoid the risks associated with unsupported software.
- Privacy Concerns with plug-ins that threaten your data integrity or privacy are quickly acted upon by Apple.
How To Remove Blocked Plug-in on Mac?
Now, it’s time to deep dive into the 3 methods and their step by step guide removing blocked plug-ins on your Mac.
Method 1: Easy Check Up (Fastest Solution)
We want to start from the easiest methods and then gradually go to the hardest one.
Here’s the fastest, simplest, and easiest 3 check ups to remove plugin blocked.
Option A: Plug-in Update
Updating your plugins can quickly tune-up and often clear your path. Here’s how you can do it.
- Step 1: Pinpoint the troublesome plug-in. If a PDF or Flash content stops you in your tracks, that’s your cue.
- Step 2: If it’s adobe plugins, head over to get.adobe.com. Choose Acrobat Reader for PDF woes or Flash Player for multimedia hitches.
- Step 3: Grab the latest version that matches your macOS.
- Step 4: Run the installer you’ve just downloaded and follow the prompts to refresh your plug-in.
- Step 5: Restart Safari. Check if the blockade lifts when you next engage with the plug-in.
Option B: Keep Safari Up-to-date
Ensuring Safari is current is another way to avoid those “blocked plug-in” messages. Here’s how:
- Step 1: Open the App Store from your Dock.
- Step 2: Click on the ‘Updates’ tab at the top of the App Store window.
- Step 3: Look for Safari among the listed updates. If it’s there, it means a newer, sleeker version awaits an update you’re missing.
- Step 4: Hit ‘Update’ next to Safari.
- Step 5: Wait for the update to finish and restart Safari.
With the latest version, your browsing is not just smoother but also clears the way for plug-ins to work without hitches.
Option C: Manual plug-in Re-enable
Bringing a plug-in back to life manually is straightforward. Here’s how to do
- Step 1: Fire up Safari. Head to the top menu to find ‘Safari’ and then ‘Preferences’ from the dropdown.
- Step 2: Tap on the ‘Websites’ tab at the top of the Preferences window. If you’re navigating an older macOS, you might need to look under the ‘Security’ tab instead.
- Step 3: Scroll down the left side until you spot the list of plug-ins to see all the plug-ins installed on your Safari browser, along with their current status.
- Step 4: Locate the plug-in you want to re-enable. Next to its name, you’ll see a checkbox. Tick this box to bring the plug-in back to action.
- Step 5: For a tailored experience, configure the plug-in to run only on certain sites by adjusting its settings right there.
Method 2: Third-party Tools (The Easy One)
Tried all those 3 options of the first mehods and the “blocked plug-in” message still persists?
Don’t worry. We’ll tackle it with the automatic tool and kick the message off your Mac. Alright?
Remove blocked plug-in using Combo Cleaner
Combo Cleaner simplifies the removing block plug in process. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to using Combo Cleaner:
Step 1: Download Combo Cleaner
Start by downloading the Combo Cleaner installer. Head to the official ComboCleaner website, grab the installer, and let’s move to the next step.
Step 2: Install Combo Cleaner
Once the download is complete, locate the “combocleaner.dmg” file in your Downloads folder. Then, open it by double clicking and follow the on-screen instructions to install Combo Cleaner on your Mac.
Step 3: Launch The Cleaner
Find Combo Cleaner in your Applications folder or search for it in Spotlight and open it. It might need a few moments to update its malware signature database for its first launch to recognize the latest threats lurking around.
Step 4: Start Combo Scan
With the app open, click the “Start Combo Scan” button to let it initiate a comprehensive scan of your Mac. It’ll cover potential malware, performance issues, and privacy threats through the scanning. This process might take a few minutes, depending on your system’s size and the amount of stored data.
Step 5: Review Scan Results
After the scan, Combo Cleaner will present you with its findings. If it displays “No Threats,” your system is clean, and the blocked plug-in might be a minor issue resolved with browser cleanup. However, if threats are detected, you’ll need to take action.
Step 6: Remove Threats
Should Combo Cleaner uncover any nasties (malware, PUPs, or unnecessary files), click on “Remove Selected Items.” This will eliminate the detected issues from your Mac and potentially resolve the blocked plug-in problem in the process.
Step 7: Final Checks
With the malware and related files gone, your system should be cleaner and more secure. However, if your browser still acts up, consider reviewing its settings or extensions to remove any residual effects of the issue.
Method 3: Manual Removal (The Conventional One)
If you are an old school guy who loves the conventional removal process. Follow these detailed steps to manually remove “blocked plug-in” alerts on your Mac and restore your system’s integrity.
Step 1: Navigate to Utilities
Open Finder, click on the ‘Go’ menu, and select ‘Utilities’.
Step 2: Launch Activity Monitor
Find and double-click ‘Activity Monitor’ in Utilities to see the lists of all processes currently running on your Mac.
Step 3: Scan for Suspicious Processes
In Activity Monitor, check the processes that seem unusual or consume excessive resources. The name may not directly indicate its nature, so use your common sense and judgment. If a process appears suspicious, select it.
Step 4: Force Quit Process
With the suspicious process selected, click the ‘Stop’ icon (a stop sign with an X) in the upper left corner, then choose ‘Force Quit’ from the dialogue that appears to terminate the process.
Step 5: Utilize Go to Folder
Return to Finder, click ‘Go’ > ‘Go to Folder’ or use the shortcut Command-Shift-G to directly navigate the specific system directories.
Step 6: Examine LaunchAgents
Enter “/Library/LaunchAgents” in the dialogue box and press ‘Go’. Review the contents for any files that look out of place, especially those recently added which might be linked to the issue.
Step 7: Remove Suspicious LaunchAgents
Look for files with names that are suspiciously corrupted. Some of the field name could be
- com.pcv.hlpramc.plist
- com.updater.mcy.plist
- com.avickUpd.plist
- com.msp.agent.plist
Because they commonly indicate Mac infections. Delete any files that don’t belong by dragging them to the Trash.
Step 8: Inspect Application Support
Again, use ‘Go to Folder’ to go to ~/Library/Application Support. Must
include the tilde symbol, as without the symbol you can’t reach the place.
Search this directory for any unusual or suspicious folders, such as those not related to installed applications or Apple products, and move them to the Trash.
Step 9: Clean Application Support
In the Application Support directory, identify and trash any recent, suspicious folders related to UtilityParze, ProgressSite, and IdeaShared. In most cases, they aren’t linked to Apple or knowingly installed apps.
Step 10: Check User’s LaunchAgents
Reach ~/Library/LaunchAgents using ‘Go to Folder’. Be vigilant for files contributing to plug-in errors, ready to remove them.
Step 11: Eliminate Suspicious LaunchAgents
Within ~/Library/LaunchAgents, dispose of any file that seems dubious or is known to cause issues, ensuring a cleaner system environment.
Step 12: Investigate LaunchDaemons
Enter /Library/LaunchDaemons in ‘Go to Folder’ to find out any malware persistence mechanisms.
Step 13: Delete Malicious LaunchDaemons
Search for and immediately remove files which are often malware-related. It could be
- com.pplauncher.plist
- com.startup.plist
- com.ExpertModule
- SearchDaemon.plist
Step 14: Audit Applications
Open the ‘Applications folder’ via the ‘Go’ menu to scrutinize for any application that seems out of place or unverified.
Step 15: Remove Unfamiliar Applications
Drag any application that doesn’t fit or is suspicious to the Trash. If prompted, enter your admin password to authorize removal.
Step 16: Access System Preferences
From the Apple menu, select ‘System Preferences‘ to adjust settings or remove unwanted configurations.
Step 17: Update Login Items
In ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Users & Groups’, visit the ‘Login Items’ tab. Remove any entry that is unnecessary or unknown by clicking the “-” (minus) button. It’ll ensure only trusted applications run at startup.
Step 18: Purge Malicious Profiles
Lastly, under ‘System Preferences’, select ‘Profiles’. Carefully remove any profiles that weren’t installed by you or seem malicious to fully cleanse your system. Some of the profiles name could be like this
- AdminPrefs
- Chrome Settings
- TechSignalSearch
- MainSearchPlatform
Remove Blocked Plug-in From Your Browser Extensions on Mac
Only removing blocked plug-ins from the system won’t offer your smooth experience as before.
You have to remove them from your browser extensions to ensure a cleaner, more secure web surfing environment.
How To Remove Blocked Plug-in on Safari?
If you use the safari browser for most, then follow the below steps.
- Step 1: Start with ‘Safari’ > ‘Preferences’ from the dropdown list to access browser settings.
- Step 2: Click on the ‘Advanced’ tab within Preferences. Check the box next to “Show Develop menu’ in the menu bar to reveal additional options.
- Step 3: With the Develop menu now visible in the Safari menu bar, select it and click on ‘Empty Caches’ to clear stored website data that might be causing issues.
- Step 4: Go back to the main Safari menu, choose ‘History’> ‘Clear History’ from the dropdown. Safari will ask how far back you want to clear; choosing ‘all history’ maximizes the effect and clears potential blockages.
- Step 5: Return to Safari’s Preferences and hit the ‘Privacy’ tab. Click on ‘Manage Website Data’ to see a list of all sites storing information about your browsing. Click ‘Remove All’ to clear these data stores, potentially logging you out of some services but also removing any data that might be related to blocked plug-ins.
- Step 6: After completing these steps, close and reopen Safari to apply the changes and enjoy a refreshed browsing experience without the hindrance of blocked plug-ins.
How To Remove Blocked Plug-in on Chrome?
Removing blocked plug-ins from chrome is a simple process.
- Step 1: Start Chrome, click the three dots in the top right, and choose ‘Settings’.
- Step 2: Scroll down in ‘Settings’ and select ‘Advanced’.
- Step 3: Locate ‘Reset and clean up’, then click ‘Restore settings’ to their original defaults.
- Step 4: In the popup, confirm by clicking ‘Reset settings’.
- Step 5: Close and reopen Chrome for a fresh start.
How To Remove Blocked Plug-in on Mozilla Firefox?
Now, Mozilla Firefox is the final removal guide for blocked Plug-in.
- Step 1: Launch Firefox. Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
- Step 2: From the menu, choose ‘Help’ and then ‘Troubleshooting Information’.
- Step 3: On the Troubleshooting Information page, click the ‘Refresh Firefox’ button.
- Step 4: A confirmation window will appear. Confirm the refresh to proceed.
- Step 5: Firefox will close to refresh. Once done, it will reopen with default settings, clearing any blocked plug-in issues.
How To Protect Your Mac For Future Plug-ins Block?
Ensuring your Mac remains protected against future plug-in blocks involves adopting proactive measures. Here’s how to keep your system secure and running smoothly.
- Keep macOS and apps updated to fix vulnerabilities and enhance security
- Utilize reputable antivirus software to detect and block malware threats
- Activate the built-in firewall to fend off unauthorized access
- Adopt safe browsing habits by avoiding suspicious links and downloads
- Install ad blockers in browsers to prevent malvertising attacks
- Minimize plug-in use by enabling only essential ones and keeping them updated
- Stay informed about security threats to better protect your system
- Regularly back up your data to safeguard against potential malware damage
FAQs
What does blocked plug in mean on mac?
A “blocked plug-in” message on Mac means either the browser plug-in you use is outdated, insecure, or potentially harmful.
It shows you this alert as a safeguard to protect your system’s security and performance, ensuring only safe, current plug-ins run.
Why is my plug hole blocked?
The term “plug hole” often refers to issues where plug-ins or extensions are prevented from running.
Typically this happens due to outdated versions, security settings, or conflicts with other software. Regular updates and security checks can prevent these blockages.
What should I do if updating doesn’t unblock my plug-in?
If updates don’t resolve the issue, try a third party automatic tool, or resetting your browser to its default settings, or manually removing the problematic plug-in.
Can blocked plug-ins affect my Mac’s overall performance?
Yes, blocked plug-ins can sometimes indicate underlying issues such as malware infections, which may affect your Mac’s performance.
Addressing blocked plug-ins promptly can help maintain your system’s health and performance.
Final Verdict
Now you have a proper know-how on how to remove blocked plug-in on Mac. With the steps as described above, you can effortlessly navigate plug-in issues, ensuring your Mac remains efficient and protected.
Stay vigilant with updates and security practices to prevent future blockages. This practice will keep your digital environment clean and optimized.
And let us know if you face any other issue on your Mac. We’ll address that in our next guide!