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.

Answer 1

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:

• Remap Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, and Ctrl-X only
• How can I reassign the copy/paste keyboard shortcuts?

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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

Answer 4

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!

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

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...

Answer 7

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.

Answer 8

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.

Answer 9

1. Open System Preferences
2. Select Keyboard
3. Select Shortcuts
4. Select Keyboard
5. Select Move focus to next window
6. Click on the key combination
7. Set it to whatever you want

Answer 10

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.

Answer 11

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!

Answer 12

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

Answer 13

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

Answer 14

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.)}

Answer 15

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:

1. Close Lightroom.
2. Hold down ⌥ Option⇧ Shift while restarting Lightroom.
3. Overwrite the Preferences when prompted by the dialogue.
4. Close Lightroom.
5. Restart Lightroom.

Answer 16

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

Please try updating your OS.

Answer 17

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.