Command+C (copy) with the left command key does not work

Question

I'm facing a strange problem. When I type ⌘+C with the left command key, it does not work anymore. The left command key is working for ⌘+V or ⌘+X or any others so it's not a hardware problem.

The C key is working too. The right command key is working for ⌘+C.

I tried changing keyboard language, adding a shortcut, reset NVRAM, activated/deactivated VoiceOver (tip found on a site) to no avail. I'm on a MacBook Pro with Mavericks.

Same problem here on OS X 10.10.2 with an external wired apple keyboard. — xslittlegrass, Mar 11 '15 at 03:14
Yes, same here. MBP 2019 on Big Sur. Funny things are: 1) it's intermittent, i.e. if I repeat it twice I do get the copy and it may work on the 1st try. 2) Command right always works. 3) Command (left) V (paste) always works. Really Apple needs to get on the ball with this, it's been what, 9 yrs?. — JL Peyret, Jun 18 '22 at 19:08

kenorb · Answer 1 · 2019-01-23T11:07:21.157

Make sure when you press CMD+C your Edit menu in the top flashes, this indicates it works as expected.

If it doesn't, go to Keyboard settings in System Preferences and:

Restore defaults Modifier Keys...,
Restore defaults in Shortcuts tab,
In App Shortcuts click the + button and test if Keyboard Shortcut input box will react on your combination.

If Edit menu flashes and it still doesn't work, then the first thing to do is to restart pasteboard service by the following commands:

launchctl stop com.apple.pboard
launchctl start com.apple.pboard

If still doesn't work, here are some other suggestions to troubleshoot the problem:

Re-test in different applications just in case.
Re-test if works when using contextual menu (without using the shortcut).
Re-test alternative combination such as CMD+X for Cut instead.
Run Console to see your System log queries if something obvious is happening.
Test if the Clipboard works from the terminal via:
```
$ echo test | pbcopy
$ pbpaste
```
If Paste menu item is no more greyed out, then maybe it's a problem with Paste command.

If you're advanced user, use dtruss or fs_usage to debug it, for instance:
```
$ sudo fs_usage | grep -C4 MyAppWhereCopyDoesntWork
```
and then notice other apps which appearing exactly when you press the shortcut which potentially you could consider quitting for testing purposes.
Disable any recent programs that you run or restart your computer.
Disable VoiceOver as suggested here.
Force quit the Finder (e.g.: killall -HUP Finder).
If still doesn't work, consider rebooting the system, especially in Recovery or Safe mode to re-test.

As for a workaround, you can install Karabiner app and remap your shortcuts by configuring private.xml file (see Misc tab). For more suggestion, please check the following posts:

Adding in the combinations manually worked for all but ⌘ + Z for some reason. (Yes I am aware there is more to the answer I haven't tried yet; I just thought it was strange.) — rootmeanclaire, Nov 05 '15 at 19:46
Force quitting Finder made ⌘ + C stop working on the right too. But not any other commands strangely enough. — rootmeanclaire, Nov 12 '15 at 19:40
Running the commands
launchctl stop com.apple.pboard; launchctl start com.apple.pboard

Fixed it for me — Lyndsey Ferguson, Sep 12 '18 at 12:32
crazy that rebooting did not work, yet launchctl stop com.apple.pboard launchctl start com.apple.pboard did — firebellys, Nov 24 '20 at 02:25
The terminal test is an excellent idea, and it reproduced the problem for me, so re-launching the pboard service was an obvious fix. Thanks. — sarimarton, Sep 04 '22 at 23:50

score 7 · Answer 2 · edited Jul 22 '17 at 21:41

7

One of your applications may utilize the cmd+c shortcut, which is not shown in system preferences.

I have GoldenDict installed and one of its hotkeys to "Use the following hotkey to translate a word from clipboard" is "cmd+c c", which brings this problem.

Solution: use another hotkey or disable it.

edited Jul 22 '17 at 21:41

jacksonwelsh

2,930

answered Jul 22 '17 at 20:48

Weibing Chen

121
1
4

1

Same here. I had GoldenDict installed and hence it was interfering – viji May 08 '21 at 03:05

score 5 · Answer 3 · edited Nov 10 '13 at 13:42

5

What has worked for me was force-quitting Finder (basically after trying all what you have suggested yourselves).

edited Nov 10 '13 at 13:42

Alex

1,432

answered Nov 10 '13 at 11:00

Claus

51

This solved my problem too! Strange things happen! – Mahdi Nov 25 '16 at 02:20

score 4 · Answer 4 · answered Nov 18 '13 at 01:16

It was a weird experience for me, had the same problem. After long unfruitful research through internet, I took MBP to the Genius Bar. Even they tried with networked operating systems like 10.9, 10.8 and others too. Nothing worked, later after long technical discussion they decided it may be an hardware issue (due to shorting, also option button was not working during startup OS switching). After top keyboard cover replacement it worked! Again something unexplainable, yet worked!

I have the exact same problem. What do you mean by replacing the keyboard cover? Do you mean the plastic keys? — Osama Gamal, Sep 20 '15 at 19:39

score 3 · Answer 5 · answered Jan 17 '16 at 08:56

In my case, it was because "Command+C" in Input Sources conflicted with "Command+C" of Copy command.

I went "System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts -> Input Sources", and found "Select the previous input source" item, then changed it to "Control+C". Then the "Command+C" Copy command worked.

score 2 · Answer 6 · answered Dec 05 '13 at 18:39

Thank you for your insights! after clearing the cache, resetting PRAM, repairing disc and permission, nothing. Then it worked for a few minutes. Finally, I decided to use Keyremap4macbook and assigned the fn key to work like left command. It works, so I leave it like that. Problem half solved...

score 2 · Answer 7 · edited Nov 24 '23 at 04:06

2

Open System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts
Select Restore Defaults after selecting each menu item on the left

edited Nov 24 '23 at 04:06

agarza

2,274

answered Feb 07 '14 at 09:51

mihneamc

31

score 2 · Answer 8 · edited Jan 16 '15 at 23:17

2

I talked to the Apple support and reset my hardware by pressing shift+ctrl+option and the power button at the same time. Then release everything. To restart your computer, just press on the power button again.

It doesn't damage anything and even got back on the internet pages I was on.

edited Jan 16 '15 at 23:17

Jens Erat

2,026

answered Jan 16 '15 at 22:47

Stormia

21

it's work for me, – Ravindra_Bhati May 06 '20 at 04:04

score 2 · Answer 9 · answered May 19 '17 at 13:23

2

I had the same issue and went into System Preferences>Shortcuts>Keyboard and deselected everything. I was having issues with cmd-z, cmd-x, cmd-v, and deselecting all of these (I didn't use them anyway) allowed all of these to work again.

answered May 19 '17 at 13:23

madingenuity

21

score 1 · Answer 10 · answered Apr 02 '14 at 12:50

1

Open System Preferences
Select Keyboard
Select Shortcuts
Select Keyboard
Select Move focus to next window
Click on the key combination
Set it to whatever you want

answered Apr 02 '14 at 12:50

Mr.Anyonymous

21

3

what does "Move focus to next window" have to do with this question? – dwightk Apr 02 '14 at 13:43
Legend!! I was having a similar problem. Couldn't use Cmd + 1 . just wouldn't work on anything but I only used it the other day, followed your instructions and deselected "Move focus to next window" TADA!!! fixed! thankyou. don't know why you were down voted. Just because it didn't work for you, don't down vote a correct answer. Thanks mate – doz87 Feb 05 '15 at 05:58

score 1 · Answer 11 · answered Feb 14 '15 at 11:02

You might have a wrong keyboard layout set up on your system, i.e. Dvorak keyboard layout. If you switch to the proper layout you might fix the problem.

Go to System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Input Sources. Then click on "+" and add the keyboard layout of your preference.

Note: Dvorak users should know that there are a few types of the keyboard: Dvorak, Dvorak - Left, Dvorak - Right, Dvorak - Qwerty. Each of those acts differently when combination "Command + C" is pressed.

score 1 · Answer 12 · answered Aug 17 '18 at 02:00

1

Funny trick to make it work:

System Pref > Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts (left sidebar).

Add a new item "Copy" and type the shortcut CMD C.

It works!

answered Aug 17 '18 at 02:00

petergus

278

score 0 · Answer 13 · edited Mar 24 '15 at 13:26

0

I had the same problem, but after one copy command (cmd + c) with the right command key, the left command key started working again!

edited Mar 24 '15 at 13:26

Jens Erat

2,026

answered Mar 24 '15 at 12:54

Matt

11

This does not really answer the question. If you have a different question, you can ask it by clicking Ask Question. You can also add a bounty to draw more attention to this question once you have enough reputation. – IconDaemon Mar 24 '15 at 13:21
It shall be not a real answer but it is still a solution for The problem, Master. – Matt May 31 '15 at 09:10
Thanks for the idea - my right command-c does actually work, so this is interesting. left command-v works fine – Jayden Lawson Nov 24 '23 at 02:44

score 0 · Answer 14 · answered Feb 06 '18 at 21:46

I came across this issue due my ongoing struggles with the keyboard of a late-2016 MBP:

cmd + c suddenly stopped working. The problem was the esc key, which remained pressed because of some minor piece of dirt. With blowing and pressing the key repeatedly it returned to its normal position and cmd + c started working again.

^{(Now I have to solve issues with two other keys. Don't buy this piece of hardware, the keyboard will give you pain. Mine was already replaced, but new piece is also prone to keyboard damages due to dust and other small pieces of dirt you encounter in every office and every household. It's just bad design.)}

score 0 · Answer 15 · edited Feb 15 '19 at 18:54

I had the same problem. On top of the problem with not having ⌘ CommandC, after a while I wasn't able to do a capital "E" by holding ⇧ Shift...after a while more than 10 random keys activated "mission control"...so you can imagine my frustration.

...but luckily I sorted.

The problem was with Lightroom Classic CC and once I did restart preferences in LR everything was ok again. If you using the newest LR CC 8. Try Maybe it work for you.

Reset Procedure:

Close Lightroom.
Hold down ⌥ Option⇧ Shift while restarting Lightroom.
Overwrite the Preferences when prompted by the dialogue.
Close Lightroom.
Restart Lightroom.

I dont think it is the programs fault. I dont use these. – mjs May 15 '21 at 20:35 — mjs, May 15 '21 at 20:35

score 0 · Answer 16 · edited Mar 22 '22 at 20:03

0

I had such an issue on macOS Big Sur but when I updated it to Monterey it was solved.

Please try updating your OS.

edited Mar 22 '22 at 20:03

Glorfindel

4,057

answered Mar 22 '22 at 15:53

Narayan Shrestha

101

Updating to Sonoma 14.1.1 literally created this issue, so this is not a great answer – Jayden Lawson Nov 24 '23 at 02:43

score -2 · Answer 17 · answered May 15 '21 at 20:40

This issue is real and I think every mac user experience it on a weekly basis, but likely people continue to doubt themselves over if they actually command c or not properly.

The fix. If you are using Karabiner like real hacker should:

Just add this to your karabiner complex configurations:

[
    {
        "from": {
            "key_code": "c",
            "modifiers": {
                "mandatory": [
                    "left_command"
                ]
            }
        },
        "to": [
            {
                "key_code": "c",
                "modifiers": [
                    "left_command"
                ]
            },
            {
                "key_code": "c",
                "modifiers": [
                    "left_command"
                ]
            },
            {
                "key_code": "c",
                "modifiers": [
                    "left_command"
                ]
            }
        ],
        "type": "basic"
    }
]

Now that should make the copy flash a few times in the menu.

You can increase or decrease as much as you want. Personally I have a few more.

Command+C (copy) with the left command key does not work

17 Answers17

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