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How to fix this: EPERM: operation not permitted, scandir '

  • 7 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1601 views
  • Last reply by McCoy

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I am unable to download anything because this message pops up at the download folder location selection stage and prevents me from continuing. How can I fix this?

I am unable to download anything because this message pops up at the download folder location selection stage and prevents me from continuing. How can I fix this?
Attached screenshots

Chosen solution

Hello acac12,

Maybe you could check to see if you have granted permission to access certain folders :

https://nektony.com/duplicate-finder-free/folders-permission

Also (even though this works on Mojave), maybe this might work for you :

http://osxdaily.com/2018/10/09/fix-operation-not-permitted-terminal-error-macos/

(edit typo)

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (7)

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Hi acac12, what method are you using the save the file? In the image, it looks a bit like Video DownloadHelper. On their support forum, I see a few threads mentioning EPERM. Do any of these help:

eperm (in Video DownloadHelper Q&A) - Google Groups Search

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Those threads don't relate to the specific error message I am getting. This error message prevents any downloads using video downloadhelper.

I removed both firefox and video downloadhelper and reinstalled but the problem remained, hence my post here.

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Does the problem occur when you are not using Video DownloadHelper, or is the problem only using the add-on?

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Chosen Solution

Hello acac12,

Maybe you could check to see if you have granted permission to access certain folders :

https://nektony.com/duplicate-finder-free/folders-permission

Also (even though this works on Mojave), maybe this might work for you :

http://osxdaily.com/2018/10/09/fix-operation-not-permitted-terminal-error-macos/

(edit typo)

Modified by McCoy

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McCoy said

Hello acac12, Maybe you could check to see if you have granted permission to access to certain folders : https://nektony.com/duplicate-finder-free/folders-permission Also (even though this works on Mojave), maybe this might work for you : http://osxdaily.com/2018/10/09/fix-operation-not-permitted-terminal-error-macos/ (edit typo)


Changing the permission for Firefox in the Privacy tab resolved the problem.

Thank you very much.

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Hi McCoy, which settings did you change on your permissions on Firefox for the downloads to work. I have the same EPERM error and i have Firefox version 71.0 .

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sudhir.r said

Hi McCoy, which settings did you change on your permissions on Firefox for the downloads to work. I have the same EPERM error and i have Firefox version 71.0 .

Hello sudhir.r,

I didn't, as I never needed to ....

Two things I'd like to suggest :

  1. Please update Firefox to the latest version (75.0).
  2. Maybe start your own thread, using this link :

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/new/desktop/other

(you'll have to scroll down to the bottom of the page)