After changing a user’s login password certain applications when launched, like Safari, seem to be rather confused when accessing the keychain and ask ‘Safari [or other app] wants to use the “login”keychain. A ‘keychain is Apple’s password management system. Learn more here. Entering the new user login password in the dialog does not appear to authenticate correctly as the message is spat back at you. Although the message only recurs two or three times it does so every time the application is launched. Using Keychain First Aid in Keychain Access.app to repair your keychain configuration does not resolve the problem.

THE REMEDY

1. Delete the user’s login.keychain file (or move it to a different location). This can be found in the Keychains folder, which is located in the User’s Library folder.
2. Relaunch Safari, or the afflicted app. On relaunch you will be presented with the ‘Keychain Not Found’ dialog box which states that ‘A Keychain cannot be found to store “Safari” [or other app]‘. Click ‘Reset To Defaults’.
3. A dialog asking you to confirm the keychain reset appears. Click “Yes”.
4. Finally you will be prompted to enter the user’s login password in order to create the new keychain. Do so and click ‘OK’.
5. Relaunch Safari or the afflicted app. That’s it! Problem solved and no more dialog boxes.

1. michael jay, January 16, 2009:

   This troubleshooting step is really great! It is very effective. I am working for Apple and now I am able to help customers having this issue. Thanks to you!

2. admin, January 27, 2009:

   my pleasure!. As an addendum running Keychain First Aid (ALT+CMD+A) in Keychain Access after the steps above are performed is a nice move.

3. Tim S, January 30, 2009:

   Wherever you work, they should give you a raise. This WORKED! Problem appears to be solved. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

4. building a chicken coop review, July 21, 2009:

   Hey very nice blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…

5. Kevin Marcus, July 26, 2009:

   Thanks! It worked!

6. DW, July 28, 2009:

   This worked perfectly. Thank you.

7. GS, August 30, 2009:

   I have been dealing with the stupid error forever. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This worked!

8. MG, September 3, 2009:

   There is an easier way,….. go to applications/ utilities/ keychain access/ preferences/ first aid tab / check first three boxes but leave the bottom one unchecked then quit keychain, restart Mac. Log back in, it should be the back to normal!!!

9. admin, September 7, 2009:

   Thanks for the comment MG. I am not sure if this method actually works (or works consistently) in solving this prob. I certainly remember trying this before trying the method above. Certainly running Keychain First Aid is a good practice and helps with many other keychain related issues.

   If you disagree why not post a link to a vid demonstrating First Aid fixing this problem? Thanks for your comment

10. Ahmed, October 26, 2009:

    thanks alot. really easy steps

11. KTR, November 4, 2009:

    THX

12. Me, November 25, 2009:

    No, MG is right! In Snow Leopard, I unchecked Keep Login Chain Unlocked (the bottom one as MG said), logged out and then in again and ALL MY KEYCHAIN PROBLEMS WITH SAFARI, MAIL and so on DISAPPEARED (sorry for shouting). Thanks! MG BTW so long as you log out and then in you don’t need to restart.

13. Pedro, April 21, 2010:

    I’ve been looking for ages for a fix for this annoying problem – solution found! Thanks, guys – and a great blog.

14. mel gagee, May 14, 2010:

    thank you sooooooooooooooooo much. better than apple help.

15. Ram Das, May 29, 2010:

    SAFER AND PROPER SOLUTION:
    1. Open “Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access.app”
    2. Select “File > New Password Item”
    3. Fill keychain item name as Safari, account name as your user name and password as your user account password.
    4. Click ‘add’ button. If you are prompted for a password, simply put your account password.
    Done!

    You don’t need administrative account access to do this.