Mail keeps crashing on mac el capitan

Frustrating! Mail crashing on Mac El Capitan can be caused by various reasons. Let's troubleshoot together to resolve the issue. Here are some steps to help you fix the problem:

  1. Restart Mail: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve the issue. Quit Mail, then relaunch it.
  2. Check for updates: Ensure your Mac and Mail app are up-to-date. Go to System Preferences > Software Update, and install any available updates.
  3. Reset Mail: Try resetting the Mail app by going to System Preferences > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Reset Mailbox Database. This will reset your Mail settings and data, so be sure to back up your emails before doing so.
  4. Disable plugins: Some third-party plugins might be causing the issue. Try disabling them by going to System Preferences > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Accounts > [Account Name] > Advanced > Plugins. Uncheck any plugins you don't need.
  5. Check for conflicts with other apps: Other apps might be interfering with Mail. Try closing all other apps and see if Mail still crashes.
  6. Clear Mail cache: Clearing the Mail cache can help resolve issues. Go to ~/Library/Mail/V2/MailData, and delete the following files:
    • Envelope Index
    • Envelope Index.lock
    • Message Database
    • Message Database.lock
  7. Check for corrupted email files: Corrupted email files can cause Mail to crash. Try moving your email files to a different location and see if the issue persists.
  8. Reinstall Mail: If none of the above steps work, you can try reinstalling Mail. Go to System Preferences > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Accounts > [Account Name] > Advanced > Remove Account. Then, go to the App Store and reinstall Mail.
  9. Check for macOS updates: Ensure your Mac is running the latest version of El Capitan. Go to System Preferences > Software Update, and install any available updates.
  10. Reset NVRAM: Resetting NVRAM can sometimes resolve issues with Mail. Restart your Mac, then immediately hold down the Command + Option + P + R keys. Release the keys when you hear the boot chime for the second time.
  11. Reinstall macOS: If none of the above steps work, you may need to reinstall macOS. Back up your data and perform a clean install of El Capitan.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to consider seeking assistance from Apple Support or a professional Mac technician.