Cryptomator FUSE-T Mount Fails On MacOS Sequoia

by Alex Johnson 48 views

Encountering issues with your Cryptomator vault on macOS Sequoia? You're not alone. This article delves into a specific problem where unlocking a vault configured to mount using FUSE-T fails if a directory already exists at the mount path, even if it's empty. We'll explore the error, potential causes, and workarounds to get your vault back up and running.

The Problem: FUSE-T and macOS Sequoia Don't Play Nice

Specifically, the Cryptomator FUSE-T macOS Sequoia mount failure manifests when you try to unlock a vault that's set to mount using FUSE-T on macOS Sequoia, and a directory (even an empty one) already exists at the designated mount point. This results in an error, preventing the vault from being accessible. Let's break down the details.

Symptoms

  • Error Code: You'll encounter error code 09TB:8LNC:8MQR.
  • Mount Failure: The vault will fail to re-mount after being unlocked.
  • Log Entries: The fuse-t.log file will show errors related to SMB, ioctl codes, and connection issues.

Technical Details

  • Operating System: macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 (build 24G325)
  • Cryptomator: 1.18.0
  • FUSE-T: 1.0.49
  • Volume Type: FUSE-T

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Lock the volume in Cryptomator.
  2. Unlock the volume.

Expected Behavior

The volume should re-mount seamlessly, granting access to your encrypted files.

Actual Behavior

The volume fails to re-mount, displaying the error code and preventing access to the encrypted data. The relevant log output shows a series of errors, including issues with fuse_loop(), SMB mounting, and network connections.

Log Output Analysis

The provided log output reveals several key issues:

  • fuse_loop() returned prematurely: This indicates a fundamental problem with the FUSE mounting process.
  • SMB Errors: The logs show attempts to mount using SMB (mount -o noauto,nostreams -t smbfs...), suggesting that FUSE-T relies on SMB for its operation. Errors like exit status 68 and ioctl: code 1310840 (FSCTL_SRV_REQUEST_RESUME_KEY) point to potential problems with the SMB connection or server.
  • Network Connection Issues: Messages like receiveRequest error: read unix ->: use of closed network connection and error: connection error: EOF indicate problems with the communication channels used by FUSE-T.
  • Lock Errors: The repeated msg=Lock entries suggest a possible locking conflict or resource contention issue.

Potential Causes

Several factors might contribute to this issue:

  1. macOS Sequoia Compatibility: The newest version of macOS could have introduced changes that affect FUSE-T's functionality.
  2. FUSE-T Bug: There might be a bug within FUSE-T itself that causes it to fail when the mount point directory already exists.
  3. SMB Configuration: Issues with SMB configuration on macOS could interfere with FUSE-T's ability to mount the volume.
  4. File System Permissions: Incorrect file system permissions on the mount point directory could prevent FUSE-T from accessing it.
  5. Resource Conflicts: Other processes or applications might be interfering with FUSE-T's operation, leading to resource conflicts.

Workarounds

While a permanent fix is being investigated, here are some workarounds that might help you regain access to your vault:

The One-Off Solution: Delete and Re-Mount

The most reliable workaround is to delete the existing (empty) mountpoint folder before mounting the vault. This forces Cryptomator to create a fresh mount point, often resolving the issue. Here’s the detailed instruction:

  1. Ensure Cryptomator is closed or the vault is locked.
  2. Navigate to the mount point directory: /Users/USERNAME/Library/Application Support/Cryptomator/mnt/VAULT NAME (replace USERNAME and VAULT NAME with your actual username and vault name).
  3. Delete the folder. Make sure that the folder is empty before deleting it. Deleting folder with important data may cause data loss.
  4. Open Cryptomator and unlock the vault. It should now mount successfully.

Other Potential Fixes (May Not Always Work)

These steps have helped some users, but their effectiveness can vary:

  • Restart Your Mac: A simple restart can sometimes clear temporary glitches that might be interfering with FUSE-T.
  • Reinstall Cryptomator and FUSE-T: Uninstalling and then reinstalling both Cryptomator and FUSE-T can ensure you have the latest versions and that all components are correctly configured. When reinstalling, download the newest version of Cryptomator and FUSE-T.
  • Explicitly Set Volume Type: In Cryptomator's settings, try explicitly setting the volume type to "FUSE-T Experimental" instead of leaving it on "Default."
  • Specify Full Mount Directory Path: Instead of relying on the automatic mount directory, manually specify the full path in Cryptomator's settings. But if you don't know, leave the default one.
  • Remove and Re-Add the Vault: Removing the vault from Cryptomator and then re-adding it can sometimes resolve configuration issues.
  • Check File System Permissions: Ensure that your user account has full read and write permissions to the mount point directory. Use Finder to check permission. You can also use chmod from terminal to change permission.
  • Disable Antivirus/Firewall Temporarily: In rare cases, antivirus or firewall software might interfere with FUSE-T. Try temporarily disabling them to see if it resolves the issue. Remember to re-enable them afterward.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the above workarounds don't solve the problem, you can try these more advanced steps:

  1. Examine System Logs: Look for any relevant error messages in the macOS system logs (/var/log/system.log or using the Console app). These logs might provide more clues about the cause of the failure.
  2. Check FUSE-T Configuration: Consult the FUSE-T documentation for any specific configuration requirements or troubleshooting steps for macOS Sequoia.
  3. Use a Different Mounting Method: As a temporary measure, consider using a different mounting method supported by Cryptomator (if available) to access your vault.
  4. Contact Cryptomator Support: If you're still stuck, reach out to Cryptomator's support team for assistance. They may be able to provide more specific guidance based on your system configuration and log files.

Community Discussion and Potential Bug

This issue was initially raised in the Cryptomator discussions (https://github.com/cryptomator/cryptomator/discussions/3607#discussioncomment-14974819), suggesting that it might be a bug in FUSE-T, rather than Cryptomator itself. The original poster, @deFractal, highlighted the consistent failure and the need to delete the mountpoint folder as a workaround.

Conclusion

The Cryptomator FUSE-T macOS Sequoia mount failure is a frustrating issue, but understanding the error messages and potential causes can help you find a workaround. Deleting the mountpoint folder before mounting is the most reliable solution, but other troubleshooting steps might also prove helpful. Keep an eye on Cryptomator and FUSE-T updates, as a permanent fix is likely to be released in the future. In the meantime, by following these steps, you will know what to do. If you want to know more about SMB, check out this SMB Documentation. I hope this article helps. Good luck!