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
🌐
iFixit
ifixit.com › Answers › View › 661415 › My+left+command+button+suddenly+doesnt+work
My left command button suddenly doesnt work - MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 - iFixit
I have had verrrry small rock’s or flakes of metal bridge between two pins on a keyboard connector and cause it to be all wonky and not work with certain keys. The other thing that could have gone wrong would be that the keyboard needs to be replaced entirely.
🌐
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.

Discussions

macos - Left Command key does not have the same function as the Right Command key - Ask Different
Since updating my computer to Mavericks all my commands have gone wonky. My main key problem is my left command key. The right one works correctly with all the shortcuts I use, but the left one zo... More on apple.stackexchange.com
🌐 apple.stackexchange.com
April 8, 2014
Left Command Key not working - Apple Community
It doesn't work on another user's account and it doesn't work in Safe mode. I reset the SMC. The computer starts up faster now, but the L command key still does not work. More on discussions.apple.com
🌐 discussions.apple.com
May 11, 2020
Left Command Button Working Partially - Apple Community
The left command button of my MacBook Pro was working fine and all of a sudden does not work with Command+C, Command+V or Command+X. It does however work with Command+T when opening a new tab and other similar shortcuts like Command+Tab. I didn't modify any keyboard settings. I'm on macOS Ventura ... More on discussions.apple.com
🌐 discussions.apple.com
March 27, 2023
macbook pro - Left command key does not work - Ask Different
My left ⌘ (command key) doesn't respond, while the right ⌘ key works fine. my Mac: MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012) on keyboard viewer: when I click left ⌘ no respond on keyboard viewer, but right ⌘ ... More on apple.stackexchange.com
🌐 apple.stackexchange.com
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.

🌐
Mac-Forums
mac-forums.com › apple computing products: › macos - operating system
Interesting New Behavior of left Command Key: I sure can't figure it out. | Mac-Forums | Fix Mac iPhone iPad | Buying Tips | iOS OS Help
April 12, 2020 - Keyboard Viewer Results: I did all the combinations & found: Control-Left Command only lights up the Control key. (The trouble spot) Control-Right Command lights up both the Control & Both Command keys. Left Command Alone lights up both Command keys Left Command in combination with any other key- except Control- lights up all pressed keys. Since Left Command works except when combined with Control, I am not sure if the focus should be hardware or software.
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 8245460
Left Command Key not working - Apple Community
May 11, 2020 - My left command key quit working on my 2016 MacBook pro, High Sierra 10.13.2 · It doesn't work on another user's account and it doesn't work in Safe mode. I reset the SMC. The computer starts up faster now, but the L command key still does not work. MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID, iOS 11.2.2 ·
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254743640
Left Command Button Working Partially - Apple Community
March 27, 2023 - I am using macOS 12.6 I have followed the instructions found at Customize the Touch Bar on Mac - Apple Support but nothing has changed. Neither the "Change Touch Bar settings" nor the "Change Control Strip buttons" sections have solved the problem. 1741 2 ... The left command button of my MacBook Pro was working fine and all of a sudden does not work with Command+C, Command+V or Command+X.
Find elsewhere
🌐
Stack Exchange
apple.stackexchange.com › questions › 236779 › left-command-key-does-not-work
macbook pro - Left command key does not work - Ask Different
... @Allan, I'm having a similar problem with my keyboard--do you know if you can get a keyboard replaced for a Mid-2012 MBP? ... Try restarting in Recovery mode by holding the right command key and R during power-up.
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 251355333
Left command key stopped working - Apple Community
How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac ... If the issue persists, contact Apple Support to get the keyboard repaired. ... My MacBook Air 2017 left command key doesn't work There's a problem with my MacBook Air 2017 model, its left command key doesn't work, I tried ...
🌐
MacRumors
forums.macrumors.com › macs › mac basics, help and buying advice
Left command button not working with bottom row of keys | MacRumors Forums
August 26, 2010 - Running OS X 10.5.8 on a Macbook Pro that's roughly 2 years old (maybe a little more). About a week ago I noticed that I was unable to copy/paste/undo/cut. Thought it was a total command key failure at first but other shortcut functionality is intact (cmd+t/cmd+w etc). So I've isolated the problem to the left cmd key and the bottom row of my keyboard. Separately they work just fine, but they refuse to work together.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/mac › issue with the left command button, help?
r/mac on Reddit: Issue with the left command button, help?
June 2, 2018 -

Hey Guys,

For some reason my left command window does not seem to function as it should. It works, but does something different from what I expect it to do. I can copy and paste with my right command key, but the left command key does not do this. In fact, when I click the command key, it brings up a Window view of all my open windows. Similar to how Windows does this with Windows+Tab.

I reset my default keys, including special keys, but no change. I tried googling around, but could not find anything that matched my situation. Any suggestions?

Thanks

🌐
MacKeeper
mackeeper.com › blog › mac fixes › left click not working on mac
Left Click Not Working on Mac: How to Fix This Problem?
January 6, 2026 - Restart your Mac and hold down Shift + Control + Option + Touch ID for 10 seconds to reset SMC · Sometimes the left click not working on Mac glitch can also be down to an outdated macOS–just in case, we recommend reinstalling your version of OS ...
🌐
MacRumors
forums.macrumors.com › macs › desktops › imac
Command C not working on left side only | MacRumors Forums
February 15, 2013 - Try holding the command key down with one hand and typing C with the other, just to make sure you aren't inadvertently failing to apply full pressure to the key based on hand position.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/macbookair › left command key not working, reasons why?
r/macbookair on Reddit: left command key not working, reasons why?
February 8, 2024 -

Hello guys,
I cannot use the command key on the left, the lights do not turn on when I press it and i cannot start the mac by pressing it (these are the two things I tried), I also tried to clean it but I only took on the black part of the key, i do not know if I go even under and clean more.
The warranty is off, the function keys also have a weird problem which is that I get numbers or letter when I press them.
Thanks

🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 253817555
Why is my command key not functioning on … - Apple Community
April 13, 2022 - *Note* It never occurred to me ... button. 2556 3 ... Just wonder if both, right and left command keys are not working. 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 ...
🌐
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 - In the left sidebar, scroll down and choose Keyboard. On your right, click the Keyboard Shortcuts button. In the new window, go to Modifier Keys. Next, make sure Command is assigned to the Command key.
🌐
MacRumors
forums.macrumors.com › macs › notebooks › macbook pro
Left Cmd/Opt/Ctrl/Fn/Shift keys not working + start-up options not working in Terminal | MacRumors Forums
February 24, 2018 - Non-working keys (such as your left shift, etc) will not respond. This is a quick method to test all of your keys (with the exception of one or two keys, any key that you press should show a response in the Keyboard Viewer, and should also release when YOU release the key, so that will point out both dead keys, and sticking keys. Click to expand... i followed your advice. some really weird stuff started to happen!! first, i tried the control, option, and command keys.
🌐
HowToiSolve
howtoisolve.com › home › 10 fixes command, options or shift key not working on macbook
10 Fixes Command, Options Or Shift Key Not Working on MacBook
July 26, 2023 - MacOS allows changing the Keyboard ... customization makes your Command Key Unresponding or Dead. 1→ Go to the Apple Logo from the top left menu> System Settings....