I've been using SPSS version 26.0 for more than a year now on my Macbook (MacOS Catalina). In June 2020 I bought a new license for this version again. However, I'm experiencing several problems making it very difficult for me to work in SPSS, despite the fact I need it on a daily basis. I tried numerous solutions, installing SPSS version 27.0 being one of them. The following problems concern both versions:

• When I open SPSS Statistics, it says "IBM Statistics Processor is Ready". Then, whenever I try to run certain analyses (and especially through commands in a syntax specifically when I merge datasets), I keep getting error messages such as "An unknown error has terminated communication with the processor. The SPSS Statistics Processor is unavailable" and "Attempt to connect to a remote server failed". The status of the IBM Statistics Processor is from there on changed into "unavailable". This problem occurs in all datasets. After these error messages, SPSS crashes.
• In SPSS 27.0 I experience an additional problem: when I want to save a dataset as another type (for example as a .dat file), I cannot find the type option anymore. I changed already changed the "windows look and feel" option in "general" from macintosh to spss standard, classic and light; didn't solve this problem. It only works if I run this as a command in a syntax, but clearly there's something going on here.

Solutions I've already tried:

• I tried several solutions that are provided on this forum. I don't have an antivirus program to check whether it blocks SPSS (as I noticed many times that's being provided as an advice). System firewall is disabled. I tried these steps as well: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/555601.
• I reinstalled SPSS 26.0.
• I also tried to solve it through a fix package provided by the store where I bought the license for SPSS. Didn't help.
• I updated the software on my mac from 10.15.1 to 10.15.6, didn't solve the issue.
• I installed SPSS 27.0 and I'm experiencing the same problems although the program seems to work faster than 26.0, but in the end it crashes again.

Can someone help me out? Thank you!

I have been having the exact same issues but cannot afford to purchase yet another version of SPSS that does not work on my computer. Fixes from the company for this software are highly encouraged, otherwise I am forced to stop using SPSS and move to freely available software. This is ridiculous.

Try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgNzev2hokU.

I was having the same problem on the Mac with a new SPSS27 license and creating this new folder as described in the video worked for me.

Good luck!

Thank you very much for your help! Unfortunately it didn't resolve the issue(s). But I appreciate you shared this with me! Maybe it can help others.

Hello,

I just fixed SPSS v27 on an iMac running MacOS Catalina (10.15.7) that was experiencing the error message, "An unknown error has terminated communication with the processor. The SPSS Statistics Processor is unavailable," when trying to different analysis.

I found Interim Fix 006: 27.0-IM-S27STATC-MAC-IF006 listed in the post at https://www.ibm.com/mysupport/s/question/0D50z00006j2YDN/what-can-i-fix-this-error-message-an-unknown-error-has-terminated-communication-with-the-processor-the-spss-statistics-processor-is-unavailable-whenever-i-want-to-analyze-my-data-on-mac-10157-catalina?language=en_US.

I had to create a free IBMid account to find and download Interim Fix 006, but once we successfully applied the patch the analysis ran correctly and no more "An unknown error has terminated communication with the processor. . . " errors.

I do not think this patch is going to fix all of the issues you are experiencing, but it should fix help by clearing the "An unknown error . . ." issue.

Best of luck!

Hi atdavis,

Thank you for your reply! I have an i7 processor (Macbook pro retina 13 inch 2015). Tried to find an interim fix for this type, but couldn't find it! Have you got any idea whether that's available?

Thank you so much!

I'm sorry I meant i5 processor.

I'm very thankful for the responses already. However, I don't understand why there is no response from IBM support?

For a while, I used another laptop, but now I have to work on my Macbook again. I'm still experiencing these issues. I am getting the sense that IBM is aware of this issue (as apparently I am by far not the only one with these problems), but doesn't know how to solve this which is why I don't get any response. IBM support replied on this thread months ago, but deleted their response afterwards for some reason. I also cannot reply through my account anymore, so I had to create a new account. This is also the only way I can get in touch with IBM apparently, technical support through chat or phone forwards me to the forum. Also, I don't get any response to my emails. Cannot open a support case either as I don't have a customer number. So this seems the only way I can get in touch with IBM and this is very frustrating.

I've read in the forum that SPSS 26 and 27 are still an issue, now with MacOS Big Sur as well. This is really unacceptable. IBM: please respond asap, this is taking too long. I cannot work in SPSS for months now!