Problem
When I try to open Universal Type Client 6 for Mac OS, I get the following error message:
Environment
This article applies to Universal Type Client 6 on all supported versions of Mac OS.
Resolution
The default Mac OS hosts file may be missing one or more entries. The default hosts file looks like:
## # Host Database # # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry. ## 127.0.0.1 localhost 255.255.255.255 broadcasthost ::1 localhost
Replace the hosts file
For Mac OS X 10.14 and previous:
You can download a default Mac OS hosts file and a helper script from http://cs.us.extensis.com/HostsFile/RepairHostsFile.zip.
NOTE: The script must be run from a Mac OS Administrator account.
- Unzip RepairHostsFile.zip
- Open the RepairHostsFile folder
- Double-click the RepairHostsFile.command file
- Enter your Mac OS password when asked
You may see bullets, key icons, or nothing as you type your Mac OS password into the Terminal window, depending on the version of Mac OS you are using. This is normal. Restart the computer afterwards.
For Mac OS X 10.15:
- Download the RepairHostsFile zip here: http://cs.us.extensis.com/HostsFile/RepairHostsFile.zip
- Unzip RepairHostsFile.zip
- In Finder, navigate to Go>Go to Folder
- Copy and paste the following: /etc/
- Hit Enter
- Drag the "hosts" file from the unzipped RepairHostsFile folder into the /etc/ folder
- Select "Replace" when prompted
Cause
Universal Type Client uses the hosts file to find and connect to the type core using the loopback address (localhost). If the hosts file is not present, or the entry for 127.0.0.1 points to a name other than localhost, you will see the error message displayed above.
If the hosts file has been modified, it may be removed when upgrading to a new version of Mac OS. Third-party applications or network utilities may incorrectly change the localhost entry as well. For more information, see How to Edit the Hosts File in Mac OS X with Terminal.