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The service isn't running

When MSL's background service is missing, stopped, or out of date.

Chapter 17 of 201 min read
On this page 3 sections

Everything in MSL goes through its background service, mslhd. When it isn't running, nothing can start.

Signs#

  • With no instance selected: "MSL's background service isn't running", and a Start it button.
  • Errors ending "MSL's background service isn't running."
  • The Tools tab's Background service card says Not running.
  • Linux apps in the Dock don't open.

Fixes, in order#

  1. Click Start it (or quit and reopen MSL, which starts it too).
  2. Make sure Start MSL's service automatically is on, on the Tools tab.
  3. Run msl doctor in Terminal — it checks whether the service is reachable and whether MSL's tools are installed. See Logs and msl doctor.
  4. Read ~/Library/Logs/MSL/mslhd.log — the last lines usually say why it stopped.

"an older version"#

The Maintenance card may say "MSL's background service answered, but not in a way this version understands". That's the service from before your last update, still running. The new one takes over the next time you log in — log out and back in to switch now.

See also