Introduction

CrowdStrike Falcon is a powerful endpoint detection and response (EDR) solution designed to protect macOS devices from sophisticated threats. However, like any security tool, it may occasionally encounter issues that require troubleshooting. This guide outlines key steps to diagnose and resolve common problems with the CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor on macOS 15.3 Sequoia.

Verifying Falcon Sensor Installation

Before troubleshooting, confirm that the Falcon Sensor is installed and running correctly. Use the following steps:

1. Check Installation Status:sudo /Applications/Falcon.app/Contents/Resources/falconctl statsIf the sensor is installed, this command returns operational statistics. If not, you may need to reinstall it.
2. Confirm System Extension and Endpoint Security Approval: On macOS Sequoia (15.3), Apple requires manual approval for system extensions and endpoint security components:
   • Navigate to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
   • Scroll down to the Security section and check if a prompt appears to allow Falcon’s system extension.
   • Click Allow, then restart the machine.
3. Validate Network Connectivity: The Falcon Sensor needs access to CrowdStrike cloud services. Run the following test:nc -vz ts01-b.cloudsink.net 443If the connection fails, ensure your firewall or network settings are not blocking traffic to CrowdStrike domains.

Common Issues and Resolutions

1. Falcon Sensor Not Running

If the Falcon Sensor is installed but not running, restart it:

sudo /Applications/Falcon.app/Contents/Resources/falconctl load

Verify status again with:

sudo /Applications/Falcon.app/Contents/Resources/falconctl stats

If the issue persists, check logs for errors:

log show --predicate 'process == "falcond"' --last 1h

2. Sensor Not Updating or Communicating

• Ensure that macOS is updated to the latest version.
• Restart the device and check network connectivity.
• Run:sudo /Applications/Falcon.app/Contents/Resources/falconctl enableIf updates fail, manually reinstall the latest Falcon Sensor package from your organization’s portal.

3. System Extension Blocked After macOS Upgrade

• Open System Settings > Privacy & Security and allow the CrowdStrike extension.
• If the option does not appear, uninstall and reinstall Falcon:sudo /Applications/Falcon.app/Contents/Resources/uninstall.shThen reinstall the latest version and approve system extensions as prompted.

4. Falcon Failing to Load After Restart

• Run:sudo launchctl list | grep falconIf no results appear, manually load the service:sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.crowdstrike.falcon.plistIf errors persist, reinstall the sensor.

5. Troubleshooting System Extension Issues

If you experience system extension issues, especially on macOS Sequoia:

• Check loaded extensions:systemextensionsctl list
• If missing, manually approve in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
• Reboot and retry the installation if necessary.

Security Considerations

• Tamper Protection: Many organizations enable tamper protection, preventing unauthorized changes to Falcon Sensor. If you cannot uninstall or modify settings, contact your IT administrator.
• Endpoint Logs: Always review system logs for anomalies related to Falcon’s operation. Use Console.app or log show to analyze sensor behavior.
• Network Whitelisting: Ensure that security policies do not block required Falcon domains, especially in enterprise environments using strict firewall rules.

Conclusion

CrowdStrike Falcon is a robust security solution for macOS, but occasional issues may arise due to system updates, network configurations, or missing approvals. By following these troubleshooting steps, administrators and users can quickly diagnose and resolve common sensor-related problems. If issues persist, contact CrowdStrike support or your IT security team for further assistance.