Why is my Mac not letting me share screen?

Answered by Willian Lymon

There could be several reasons why your Mac is not letting you share the screen. Let’s go through some possible causes and solutions:

1. Screen Sharing is not enabled: To check if screen sharing is enabled, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Sharing. Make sure the Screen Sharing box is checked. If it’s not, check the box to enable it.

2. Permission settings: In the Sharing preferences, click on the Screen Sharing option in the sidebar. Make sure that your user account has permission to share the screen. If your account is not listed, click the “+” button and add your user account to the list of users who have permission to share the screen.

3. Firewall settings: Your Mac’s firewall could be blocking incoming connections for screen sharing. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall. Click on the Firewall Options button and make sure that “Screen Sharing” is allowed. If it’s not, click the “+” button and add it to the list of allowed apps.

4. Network issues: Check your network connection to ensure that it’s working properly. If you’re on a Wi-Fi network, try connecting via Ethernet to see if the issue persists. You can also try restarting your router or modem to reset the network connection.

5. Software updates: Make sure that both Macs involved in the screen sharing are running the latest version of macOS. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve compatibility issues.

6. Screen Sharing settings on the other Mac: If you’re trying to share the screen of another Mac, make sure that the screen sharing settings on that Mac are properly configured. On the other Mac, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Sharing, and check the Screen Sharing option. Also, ensure that your user account has permission to share the screen on that Mac.

7. Restart both Macs: Sometimes, simply restarting both Macs can resolve temporary issues and allow screen sharing to work again. Try restarting both machines and see if the problem persists.

8. Third-party software conflicts: If you have any third-party security software or other utilities installed on your Mac, they could be interfering with screen sharing. Temporarily disable or uninstall any such software and see if the issue is resolved.

9. Check for hardware issues: If none of the above solutions work, there could be a hardware issue with either Mac. Check the physical connections, cables, and ports to ensure everything is properly connected. If possible, try using a different display or connecting to a different Mac to isolate the problem.

Remember, these are just some possible solutions, and the exact cause of the issue may vary. If you’re still experiencing problems, it may be helpful to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance.