MacOS – Cut shortcut (cmd+x) doesn’t work if I use the left cmd key (cmd+c does work with left cmd key!)

keyboardmacos

Perhaps similar to Command+C (copy) with the left command key does not work, but (left) ⌘+c DOES work for me.

They keyboard is an Apple US (with the 10-key), wired. I am using a razer mamba mouse (i only say this because it shows up in the Select Keyboard dropdown that i can set the modifier keys for in the Sys Prefs->Keyboard->Modifier Keys... menu)

I've already tried resetting the default keyboard shortcuts.

Update: I also cannot type a capital W using the left shift

Update: I have tried this with 2 different keyboards, but both are the apple US QERTY [sic] with 10-key. I have tried this on my laptop (rMBP) and on an iMac (both on Yosemite)

Update (with thanks to @bjbk for continued comments/questions): To clarify, I am saying that both systems (2 separate Macs, an rMBP and an iMac [incidentally, both with the drivers for the razer mamba mouse]) exhibit the same behavior described above. The builtin keyboard on the rMBP does not behave this way.

Best Answer

It may very well be that the Razer drivers are incompatable with OS 10.10 Yosemite. According to Razer, it seems the latest driver only supports up to 10.7 Lion although the last modified date on the download site is 26 Mar 2015.

One fix may be to find and get the legacy drivers for your Razer device. However, it may be best just to contact Razer about the issue which may also lead to a solution.

Related Solutions

MacOS – How to get Mountain Lion to recognise modifier keys from external Windows keyboard

Did you select the keyboard from the menu at the top? (Edit: it is not shown if there is only one keyboard.)

If you have installed keyboard or HID drivers, try removing them.

You could also try deleting ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/.GlobalPreferences.*.plist.

Another way to change the modifier keys is to use KeyRemap4MacBook:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<root>
  <!-- <devicevendordef>
    <vendorname>KINESIS</vendorname>
    <vendorid>0x05f3</vendorid>
  </devicevendordef>
  <deviceproductdef>
    <productname>ADVANTAGE</productname>
    <productid>0x0007</productid>
  </deviceproductdef> -->
  <item>
    <name>swap_command_and_control</name>
    <identifier>swap_command_and_control</identifier>
    <!-- <device_only>DeviceVendor::KINESIS, DeviceProduct::ADVANTAGE</device_only> -->
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::CONTROL_L</autogen>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::COMMAND_R, KeyCode::CONTROL_L</autogen>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::CONTROL_L, KeyCode::COMMAND_L</autogen>
  </item>
</root>

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

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:

Best Answer

Related Solutions

MacOS – How to get Mountain Lion to recognise modifier keys from external Windows keyboard

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

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