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 $ pbpasteIf Paste menu item is no more greyed out, then maybe it's a problem with Paste command.
If you're advanced user, use
dtrussorfs_usageto debug it, for instance:$ sudo fs_usage | grep -C4 MyAppWhereCopyDoesntWorkand 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?
CMD+C Doesn't work for copying | MacRumors Forums
Control C not working and Command isn't reliable. How to change Command to Control?
Command+C not working
Copy and Paste not working.
What to do if Command-C is not working with an external keyboard on Mac?
Does Ctrl+C work on Mac, or do I need to use Command-C?
Why are Command-C and Command-V not working at the same time?
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 $ pbpasteIf Paste menu item is no more greyed out, then maybe it's a problem with Paste command.
If you're advanced user, use
dtrussorfs_usageto debug it, for instance:$ sudo fs_usage | grep -C4 MyAppWhereCopyDoesntWorkand 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?
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.
I've checked everywhere and everyone keeps saying go to "modifer keys" but there's no such option. Please help!
Every time i go to copy a text by hi-lighting and pressing command, c.. it will just delete whatever I've hilighted and replace it with a c. I have fully updated my laptop, I've restated, shut it down, its been months and I'm sick of it!!!! Please can someone help me!!
edit: sorry im not sure why i thought you had to hold shift too, but either way it still wont work!
I think it's possible for Apple's Continuity Universal Clipboard feature to cause something like this, depending on the quality of the signal connection with any nearby iOS devices.
Perhaps try turning off "Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices" in System Preferences > General and see if that helps.
I've found a cause of the same problem. An app may use it as a hotkey. In my case, I use a dictionary app (Eudic), which will read the clipboard if cmd+c is pressed twice.
An easy way to check whether it is caused by an app is to activate the Guest account, which usually has few autostart apps, and to check whether the problem still exists.