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 from kenorb on Stack Exchange
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/macos › command key suddenly stopped working on external keyboard
r/MacOS on Reddit: Command key suddenly stopped working on external keyboard
May 25, 2023 -

I've been using an external keyboard with my macbook pro for almost a year now, until a couple of days ago when the command key suddenly does not work anymore (every other key works). The keyboard is fine and the command key works with other computers, but will not for some reason work with my macbook pro. The command key on the macbook itself still works though.

Any ideas on what could be causing this issue?

Cmd key stuck Aug 21, 2023
r/mac
3y ago
Command Keys Not Working Jan 9, 2020
r/MacOS
6y ago
Keyboard bug Sep 5, 2024
r/MacOS
2y ago
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 2081942
Command Key Not Working - Apple Community
August 17, 2009 - Restart your computer and immediately hold down command option p r until you hear the computer reboot. If this doesn't work, you will need to reinstall MacOS. ... Hi, Try the following methods. 1. Click on Apple and open System Preferences 2. Choose International and under Input menu tab choose ...
Discussions

New problem. The keyboard shortcuts stopped working such as
Thank you for sharing the ... Modifier Keys (located at the bottom-right).Verify that Command, Option, Control, and Shift are configured to their default settings. ... I won't click on a star because that's when I lost contact with the two previous technicians. ... Please follow the troubleshooting steps I provided. ... My MacBook keyboard shortcuts are not working... More on justanswer.com
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March 13, 2025
MacBook Pro Butterfly - Left command key does not work
Yeah I got my first MBP ever last month, one of the key stuck, rage inducing. Best Buy says they can't help, Applestore wants me to wait a week to setup an appointment with a "genius". Spent $2,700 on something there is no support for. Probably never buying a Mac again as this is my very first one, and it's been god awful. Anyway I tilted it sideways and blew air in with my mouth hard a few times while tapping the key. Fixed it finally. People say compressed air at an angle works as well. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/macbookpro
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8
February 18, 2018
Why is my command key not functioning on … - Apple Community
If right or left command key doesn't work, try to run Apple Diagnostics if it reports keyboard error(NDK001, NDK003, NDK004). Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support More on discussions.apple.com
🌐 discussions.apple.com
April 13, 2022
On my MacBook Pro, serial #n F2W1WRM633, the command key is
Customer: On my MacBook Pro, the command key is not functioning. For instance, when I press command and F, I only get an "f" instead of the Finder function. Technician's Assistant: Thank you for explaining the issue with your Command key; that sounds frustrating when basic shortcuts fail to work. To assist the Apple Technician in understanding your setup better, are you using the built-in keyboard ... More on justanswer.com
🌐 justanswer.com
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April 8, 2026
Top answer
1 of 15
28

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?
2 of 15
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.

🌐
CleanMyMac
cleanmymac.com › faq › command-key-not-working-mac
Mac Command key not working? Here are the fixes
Restarting your Mac can solve an absolute multitude of problems, including keys randomly ceasing to work. So head to your main Apple menu and give it a quick try. When your Command key is not working on your Mac, this could indicate malware.
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MacKeeper
mackeeper.com › blog › mac fixes › command key not working on mac
Command Key Not Working on Mac? How to Fix It on a MacBook?
April 6, 2026 - Your Mac’s Command key might have stopped working after a change in your keyboard layout. For external keyboards, issues such as Bluetooth connectivity problems, a depleted battery, or a faulty cable or port are also common causes. In rare circumstances, malware or physical damage from debris, liquid spills, or impact may be to blame. Is your Mac’s Command key not working?
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iBoysoft
iboysoft.com › home › news tips › command key not working on mac? here are the fixes!
Command Key Not Working on Mac? Here Are the Fixes!
April 8, 2026 - Double-click the shortcut you want to change, then press the new key combination you want to use. Always keeping your macOS and apps updated to data can prevent some potential issues on Mac. You should check available macOS and app updates and update your Mac if necessary. In case the built-in MacBook keyboard is not working, it could be physically damaged, then the command key couldn't work.
Find elsewhere
🌐
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › mac-computers › rdyk2-new-problem-keyboard-shortcuts-stopped-working.html
Fix Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working: Quick Q&A
March 13, 2025 - If keyboard shortcuts stop working, first verify all shortcut settings are enabled in System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts. Restart the MacBook Pro to reset temporary glitches.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/macbookpro › macbook pro butterfly - left command key does not work
r/macbookpro on Reddit: MacBook Pro Butterfly - Left command key does not work
February 18, 2018 -

One of the most important key, left command key, is not working properly on my MacBook Pro 15" Late 2016 (butterfly keyboard). You can only imagine the struggle. I work as a programmer, so I write a lot. Having my key not recognising every 5th click is very painful.

I was wondering if there is anyone who has/had the same issue and perhaps managed to fix it. I sent my MacBook to Apple as it was still in warranty. After a month, I got the device back. The repair report noted that the keyboard was fixed by cleaning. Haha. MacBook was without warranty since it came back. I called Apple and said that the problem still persist. They basically told me to fuck off, because it was not in warranty anymore (I sent it to Apple a month before its expiration).

I am not sure whether it is hardware or software issue. A colleague of mine has the same MacBook. His issue is that 'b' clicks twice sometimes.

TL;DR - My command key does not recognise the click from time to time. Was wondering if anyone knows if that can be fixed.

🌐
Arcane Code
arcanecode.com › 2021 › 11 › 09 › solved-cmd-key-combos-not-working-with-logitech-k850-and-macos-monterrey
Solved: CMD Key Combos Not Working with Logitech K850 and MacOS Monterrey – Arcane Code
November 8, 2021 - I’d go to do something and find my often used command key combos (CMD+C, etc) would not work. The fix turned out to be fairly simple, what I needed to do is switch the input to another computer (using the 1, 2, 3 buttons).
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 253817555
Why is my command key not functioning on … - Apple Community
April 13, 2022 - If right or left command key doesn't work, try to run Apple Diagnostics if it reports keyboard error(NDK001, NDK003, NDK004). Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support
🌐
MacPaw
macpaw.com › how to › tips & tricks › guides
Command-C is not working on Mac? Here are 5 top fixes to try
July 31, 2026 - If Command-C still doesn’t work, check that you haven’t changed modifier keys so that, for example, the Control key now acts as the Command key: ... Go to System Settings > Keyboard and click Keyboard Shortcuts.
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Quora
quora.com › How-do-I-fix-an-unresponsive-command-key-on-the-2017-MacBook-Pro-butterfly-keyboard-Ive-tried-everything-on-Apples-website-and-nothing-seems-to-fix-it
How do I fix an unresponsive command key on the 2017 MacBook Pro butterfly keyboard? I've tried everything on Apple's website and nothing...
Self Employed at Working at Home (2020–present) · Author has 2.4K answers and 5M answer views · 7y · Macbook Pro and many other similar notebooks, and beyond. They all use a rubber dome type keyboard. What generally happens, is that the most used keys, which are using plastic membranes, ...
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › mac-computers › v04fk-macbook-pro-command-key-not-working.html
MacBook Pro Command Key Not Working? Expert Troubleshooting Guide
April 8, 2026 - These modifications do not change ... shortcuts on MacBook Pro. If the Command key stops working, first test all shortcuts to confirm the issue....
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › guide › mac-help › if-keyboard-shortcuts-dont-work-mchlp1407 › mac
If keyboard shortcuts don’t work on Mac - Apple Support
If the keyboard shortcut uses a function key, you may also need to press and hold the Fn key or the Globe key on the keyboard to perform the shortcut. The keys you need to press depend on your Mac model, if you’re using a Magic Keyboard, and how you set an option in Keyboard settings.
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 1315415
Command Button Doesn't Work Anymore - Apple Community
January 3, 2008 - Make sure all the keys are set to their appropriate commands. If they aren't, click on "Restore Defaults" If that doesn't work, manually change them If that doesn't work then try changing the USB port your Keyboard is plugged into (iSay this last because hopefully you have tried this).
🌐
GitHub
github.com › processing › processing › issues › 5221
On Mac IDE, command key stops working for shortcuts · Issue #5221 · processing/processing
August 16, 2017 - This is a weird one: I've noticed that every so often, after I've been using the IDE for a bit, the Mac command key stops working for keyboard shortcuts. No more auto-format, indenting, or copy/paste. command+q still works to quit, but nothing else.
Author: processing
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Chron.com
smallbusiness.chron.com › control-key-doesnt-work-microsoft-keyboard-mac-70750.html
The "Control" Key Doesn't Work with a Microsoft Keyboard & a Mac
November 22, 2017 - It might seem strange, but the likely cause of your "Control" key seemingly not working on a Mac is that it is actually acting as "Control," rather than a "Command" key. As "Control" has few functions in Mac OS X, this could result in the key ...