Keynote Not Opening or Crashing on Mac

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

1. FIX 1Force quit and restart

   Copy steps
   1. 01Press Option + Command + Esc
   2. 02Select Keynote and click Force Quit
   3. 03Restart the Mac and open Keynote again
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. FIX 2Update macOS and Keynote

   Copy steps
   1. 01Open System Settings > General > Software Update and install updates
   2. 02Open the App Store > Updates and update Keynote
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. FIX 3Reinstall Keynote

   Copy steps
   1. 01Drag Keynote from Applications to the Trash
   2. 02Open the App Store, search Keynote and download it again
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. FIX 4Start in Safe Mode to rule out other apps

   Copy steps
   1. 01Shut down the Mac
   2. 02Start in Safe Mode (Apple silicon: hold the power button, choose the disk, hold Shift and click Continue in Safe Mode; Intel: hold Shift at startup)
   3. 03Open Keynote; if it works, remove recently installed cleaners, antivirus or utilities
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. FIX 5Test with another file or user account

   Copy steps
   1. 01Open Keynote and create a new presentation instead of reopening the last one
   2. 02If only one file crashes it, open it on another device or in iCloud.com and export a copy
   3. 03Create a test user in System Settings > Users & Groups and try Keynote there
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Keynote bounces in the Dock and quits, shows 'An unexpected error has occurred. Please quit and reopen Keynote', freezes on launch, or crashes several times a day.

Why it happens

• C-01Outdated Keynote or macOS after an OS upgrade
• C-02Third-party cleaner, antivirus or system extensions interfering
• C-03A damaged presentation or theme opening automatically
• C-04Corrupted app install
• C-05Very low free disk space

// this guide also covers

• keynote not opening
• keynote keeps crashing
• keynote won't open mac
• keynote unexpected error has occurred
• keynote quits unexpectedly

The same problem in other apps

All crashes, freezes & blank screens guides →

• PowerPoint Not Responding or Freezing (Microsoft PowerPoint)
• Figma File Won't Open: Stuck on Loading (Figma)
• Pitch App Not Working or Freezing (Pitch)

Other Apple Keynote errors

• Keynote Export to PowerPoint Broken (Fonts & Animations)
• Keynote Video Not Playing in Presentation
• Keynote Presenter Display Not Working on External Monitor
• Keynote Remote Not Working on iPhone
• Keynote Not Syncing With iCloud Between Mac and iPad
• Keynote Collaboration Not Working
• Keynote Presentation Can't Be Opened (Too Old or Damaged)
• Keynote Slow and Lagging With Large Presentations