Keyboard shortcuts are a productivity powerhouse, enabling users to perform tasks quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re a seasoned Mac user or a newcomer, you’ve likely relied on these time-saving key combinations to streamline your workflow. However, encountering issues where keyboard shortcuts suddenly stop working can be quite frustrating. If you’ve found yourself in this predicament, fear not! In this blog, we’ll explore common reasons behind non-functioning keyboard shortcuts on Mac and guide you through troubleshooting steps to get them back up and running.
Part 1: Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working on Mac
If keyboard shortcuts are not working on your Mac, there could be several reasons for this issue. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the problem:
1. Check for App-Specific Shortcuts:
Before diving into more complex solutions, ensure that the shortcuts you’re trying to use are indeed meant to work within the specific app you are using. Some applications have their own unique keyboard shortcuts that might differ from the standard macOS shortcuts. Check the app’s menu or documentation for a list of supported shortcuts.
2. Restart the App:
Sometimes, a glitch or temporary software issue can cause keyboard shortcuts to stop working in a specific app. Quit the application and restart it to see if this resolves the problem. To quit an app, press Command + Q while the application is in focus.
3. Check Keyboard Language and Input Source:
macOS supports multiple keyboard layouts and input sources. It’s possible that an unintended input source is selected, causing the system not to recognize your keyboard shortcuts correctly. To verify and modify your input source, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources. Ensure the correct keyboard layout and language are selected.
4. Modifier Key Issues:
Sometimes, issues with the modifier keys (Command, Option, Shift, and Control) can affect the performance of keyboard shortcuts. Press each of these keys individually to check if they are physically functioning correctly. If any of the keys appear to be sticking or not working consistently, it may be time to clean your keyboard or seek professional assistance.
5. Check for Conflicting Shortcuts:
macOS provides a vast array of keyboard shortcuts across the system and applications. In some cases, two or more shortcuts might conflict, causing none of them to work as expected. Review your custom shortcuts and make sure there are no overlaps. To access the Keyboard Shortcuts preferences, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts.
6. Restart Your Mac:
A simple restart can often resolve many software-related issues, including keyboard shortcut problems. Save your work, close all open applications, and restart your Mac to refresh the system.
7. Check Accessibility Settings:
Certain accessibility settings can interfere with keyboard input. To verify this, go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Keyboard and ensure that no options like “Sticky Keys” or “Slow Keys” are enabled.
8. Reset NVRAM/PRAM and SMC:
In rare cases, corrupted NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) or SMC (system management controller) settings can cause various hardware-related issues, including keyboard problems. To reset NVRAM/PRAM and SMC, follow the instructions provided by Apple on their support page.
9. Software Updates:
Keeping your macOS and apps up-to-date can resolve compatibility issues and bugs that might be affecting keyboard shortcuts. Check for updates through the System Preferences > Software Update menu.
10. Test with a Different Keyboard:
If you have access to another keyboard, try connecting it to your Mac and see if the keyboard shortcuts work with the new keyboard. This will help determine if the issue lies with your Mac or the original keyboard.
If you’ve tried all the above steps and are still facing problems with your keyboard shortcuts, it might be time to seek help from an Apple Support representative or visit an Apple Store for further assistance. Remember, keyboard shortcuts are fantastic time-savers, but occasional issues can happen. Armed with these troubleshooting tips, you’ll be back to navigating your Mac with lightning speed in no time!
Part 2: How to Create Shortcuts on Mac.
On a Mac, you can create shortcuts using two main methods: creating aliases and using the built-in Automator application. Both methods allow you to quickly access files, folders, applications, or even automate tasks. Here’s how you can do it:
Method 1: Creating Aliases (Shortcuts)
Locate the file, folder, or application you want to create a shortcut for. Press and hold the “Command” (⌘) key and the “Option” (⌥) key on your keyboard. While holding down the keys, drag the file, folder, or application to the location where you want the shortcut to appear (e.g., desktop or another folder).
Release the mouse button and then release the “Command” and “Option” keys. This action creates an alias at the destination with the same name and an arrow on the icon to indicate it’s a shortcut.
Method 2: Using Automator to Create Custom Shortcuts
Open “Automator” on your Mac. You can find it in the “Applications” folder. When Automator opens, choose “Quick Action” or “Service,” depending on where you want the shortcut to be available (e.g., Finder, right-click menu, etc.). In the top-right search box of Automator, type “Run AppleScript.” Drag the “Run AppleScript” action to the workflow area on the right side.
In the “Run AppleScript” action, you can write the AppleScript code to perform the desired task. For example, to open a specific application:
on run {input, parameters}
tell application “Finder” to open the application file “Applications: YourApplication.app” end run
Save the workflow with an appropriate name, and it will be available as a shortcut in the location you selected (e.g., Finder, right-click menu, etc.).
To use this custom shortcut, right-click on a file or folder (or the selected target where you want the shortcut to be active), then go to the “Services” option, and you should see your created shortcut listed there. Now you have two methods to create shortcuts on your Mac. Choose the one that best suits your needs for easy and quick access to files, folders, or applications.
Part 3: How to Change Keyboard Shortcuts on Mac.
On a Mac, you can customize keyboard shortcuts using the System Preferences. You can change existing shortcuts or create new ones for specific applications. Here’s how to do it:
Click on the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen. Select “System Preferences” from the dropdown menu. In the System Preferences window, click on “Keyboard.” Navigate to the “Shortcuts” tab at the top of the window. In the left sidebar, you’ll see various categories of shortcuts, such as “App Shortcuts,” “Mission Control,” “Spotlight,” etc.
To change a global shortcut (which affects all applications), select the desired category from the sidebar. For example, to change the screenshot shortcut, choose “Screen Shots” from the left pane. Find the shortcut you want to change in the list on the right side and click on it to highlight it. Click on the existing key combination next to the shortcut. It will be something like “Shift-Command-4” for the screenshot shortcut.
Enter the new key combination you want to assign. Make sure the combination is not already in use by another function or application. You can use various modifier keys like Command (⌘), Shift (⇧), Option (⌥), or Control (⌃) in combination with other keys. Close the System Preferences window, and your new keyboard shortcut will be in effect immediately.
To create application-specific shortcuts:
Follow steps 1 to 5 from the instructions above. In the left sidebar, click on “App Shortcuts.” Click the “+” button below the right pane to add a new shortcut. A drop-down menu will appear. Choose the application for which you want to create the shortcut. If the application is not listed, select “All Applications” to create a global shortcut that works in all apps.
In the “Menu Title” field, type the exact name of the menu command for which you want to create a shortcut. Be precise, as the shortcut won’t work if the menu title is not entered correctly Click on the “Keyboard Shortcut” field and enter the new key combination you want to assign to the menu command. Close the System Preferences window, and your new application-specific keyboard shortcut is now active.
Remember, some applications may have certain keyboard shortcuts that cannot be changed or overridden. In those cases, you may need to look for customization options within the application itself.
Part 4: Most Useful Mac Keyboard Shortcuts.
Mac keyboard shortcuts can significantly improve your productivity and make using your Mac more efficient. Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for Mac users:
- Command + C: Copy selected item(s) to the clipboard.
- Command + X: Cut selected item(s) and copy them to the clipboard.
- Command + V: Paste the contents of the clipboard.
- Command + Z: Undo the last action.
- Command + Shift + Z: Redo an action that was undone.
- Command + A: Select all items in the current window or application.
- Command + F: Open the Find dialog to search for text or items in the current application.
- Command + W: Close the active window or tab in most applications.
- Command + Q: Quit the active application.
- Command + Space: Open Spotlight search to quickly find files, and apps, and perform calculations.
- Command + Tab: Switch between open applications.
- Command + ` (backtick): Cycle through open windows of the current application.
- Command + N: Open a new window or document in most applications.
- Command + S: Save the current document or file.
- Command + Shift + S: Save the current document with a new name or location.
- Command + P: Print the current document.
- Command + Shift + 3: Take a screenshot of the entire screen.
- Command + Shift + 4: Take a screenshot of a selected portion of the screen.
- Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar: Take a screenshot of a specific window.
- Command +, (comma): Open the Preferences window for the current application.
- Command + H: Hide the active application’s windows.
- Command + Option + H: Hide all applications except the active one.
- Command + Shift + Delete: Empty the Trash.
- Command + Shift + T: Reopen the last closed tab in your web browser.
- Control + Command + Space: Open the Emoji & Character Viewer.
These are just some of the many keyboard shortcuts available on macOS. Learning and using these shortcuts can save you time and make navigating and working on your Mac more efficient. As you become more familiar with them, you’ll likely find your own favorite shortcuts that suit your workflow and daily tasks.
Closing Thoughts
“Keyboard shortcuts not working on Mac” can be caused by various factors, including incorrect keyboard settings, software conflicts, physical keyboard issues, or system glitches. Read the article to fix “Keyboard shortcuts not working on a Mac”
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