When I use the keyboard shortcut command+F it no longer brings up the search box in any application (Safari, Firefox, etc).
MacBook Pro Retina
There is either some application modifying the shortcuts (dialabrain mentioned karabiner), or maybe you defined command-F as something else?
I have not modified any shortcuts, but have installed software. Is there any way to check which might be causing this issue?
Did you create a "Command + F" shortcut for any of your apps or did you install any keyboard mapping software such as Karabiner?
See if "Command + F" works while logged into a different user account.
See if "Command + F" works while in Safe Mode.
Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support
In that case it's a corrupt .plist file in your account.
See if moving ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist to the Trash then logging out then back in fixes it. It will change some of your Finder settings. If it works you can empty the Trash. If not, open the trash, right/control click on the file and "Put Back".
I don't know what other .plist to check.
This shouldn't matter but do you have "Use F1, F2…" as normal function keys checked? If so, try unchecking it.
I set up another user. The command+F shortcut works as expected when logged into the new user.
There is either some application modifying the shortcuts (dialabrain mentioned karabiner), or maybe you defined command-F as something else?
Unfortunately that did not fix the issue.
Sorry to hear. Maybe someone else will have an idea which preference file it may be. BTW, does selecting "Find" from the "Edit" menus still work?
I just tried the shortcut Fn+Command+F and that shortcut works. It's odd because I've never changed any shortcuts.
Sorry to hear. Maybe someone else will have an idea which preference file it may be. BTW, does selecting "Find" from the "Edit" menus still work?
Yes, this still works.
Odd, I don't even have that option.
Are you using a MacBook Pro as your profile says or something else with a non-Apple keyboard?
It's a MacBook Pro (no external keyboard).
Thanks everyone for trying to help. Since fn+command+f works for me, I'll continue using that for now. If I come up with a proper solution I'll update this ticket.
Welcome. It's strange that you don't have the option.
Command+F Stopped Working