How can I restore the Caps Lock Indicator on my iMac running Sonoma?

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Level 1

133 points

How can I restore the Caps Lock Indicator on my iMac running Sonoma?

I found the tiny caps icon that appears - and persists - in the middle of a document when one tapped the Caps Lock key to be annoying.

I searched for how to turn this off, successfully did so, but unwisely did not save the terminal command that turned it off...and presumably back on.

After a week of no Caps Lock functionality, I'd like to revert to having an enabled Caps Lock key but don't know how to do so.

Any help or instructions on how to get this Caps Lock functionality back would be greatly appreciated.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 27″, macOS 14.5

Posted on Jul 7, 2024 9:38 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

leroydouglas

Level 10

200,244 points

Jul 7, 2024 9:58 AM in response to Room101A

To disable the feature from the Terminal.app copy & paste:

defaults write kCFPreferencesAnyApplication TSMLanguageIndicatorEnabled 0

use the enter\return key to proceed. Quit Terminal.app

To enable the feature, copy and paste:

defaults write kCFPreferencesAnyApplication TSMLanguageIndicatorEnabled 1

Relaunch the Finder and compare your results >Force Quit>Finder>Relaunch

or

reboot and compare your results.

Report back your success or failure.

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Answer 2

Jul 9, 2024 5:30 AM in response to Room101A

Turn OFF capslock indicator:

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domain/UIKit.plist redesigned_text_cursor -dict-add Enabled -bool NO

Turn ON capslock indicator:

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domain/UIKit.plist redesigned_text_cursor -dict-add Enabled -bool YES

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Answer 3

Jul 10, 2024 10:00 AM in response to Room101A

Do this.....

System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. Click on Modifier Keys in the left side menu. Make sure Caps Lock key setting is NOT set to “No Action” or any other setting besides “Caps Lock”. If it is, change it back to “Caps Lock”.

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Answer 4

Jul 8, 2024 6:24 PM in response to Room101A

Did you try System Settings>Keyboard>Keyboard Shortcuts>Modifier Keys>Caps Lock Key and check off Caps Lock ?

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Answer 5

Jul 10, 2024 1:23 PM in response to Room101A

While in safemode also double check the System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. Click on Modifier Keys in the left side menu. Make sure Caps Lock key setting is NOT set to “No Action” or any other setting besides “Caps Lock”. If it is, change it back to “Caps Lock”.

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Answer 6

Room101A Author

Level 1

133 points

Jul 10, 2024 1:14 PM in response to Randall_2023

Just to be certain I have this straight:

Start in Safe Mode.

Check the System Settings

Next run…

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domain/UIKit.plist redesigned_text_cursor -dict-add Enabled -bool NO

Reboot in safe mode and run..

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domain/UIKit.plist redesigned_text_cursor -dict-add Enabled -bool YES

Reboot normally and see if it is fixed.

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Answer 7

Jul 10, 2024 1:02 PM in response to Room101A

The only other thing I can think of is to try checking and changing the System Setting as I shown above and also to issue the Terminal commands (for turning the indicator back on) both, while in safemode. Afterwhich reboot into normal mode and test. If that doesn't help, I'm out of ideas. Maybe someone else will have a cure for you.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support (English)

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Answer 8

Room101A Author

Level 1

133 points

Jul 7, 2024 10:06 AM in response to leroydouglas

Thanks so much for responding...still having a problem.

I carefully cut and pasted your command into Terminal and ran it.

I relaunched the Finder and then rebooted.

Right after the starting chime, I tapped the Caps Lock key and it illuminated.

When I got to the login screen, I tapped the Caps Lock key and in the space where one types in one's admin password, the caps lock indicator appeared and worked.

However, as soon as I arrived at the desktop, the Caps Lock key no longer illuminates or works.

Any suggestions???

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Answer 9

Room101A Author

Level 1

133 points

Jul 8, 2024 6:36 PM in response to mrokloricred37

Thanks anyway.

I went to that setting and toggled it to several other choices then back to the default setting but none of those changes succeeded in returning functionality to the caps lock key.

I may have to wait until Sequoia comes out and see if that perhaps fixes my mess.

I guess I could restart in Recovery Mode using the key combo Command/Option/R and reinstall the system software?

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Answer 10

Room101A Author

Level 1

133 points

Jul 9, 2024 6:52 AM in response to Randall_2023

Thanks, Randall.

I just ran sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domain/UIKit.plist redesigned_text_cursor -dict-add Enabled -bool YES

I followed that with a restart, but caps lock key is still not functioning.

Greatly appreciate folks sticking with me in order to fix a mess of my own creating.

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Answer 11

Room101A Author

Level 1

133 points

Jul 9, 2024 9:22 AM in response to Randall_2023

Did exactly as you said. Launched Terminal, cut and pasted the bool NO command, provided my admin password, quit Terminal, restarted.

Then Launched Terminal, cut and pasted the bool YES command, provided my admin password, quit Terminal, restarted.

Upon the second restart, the Caps Lock key still does not work.

Thanks for hanging in there and providing suggestions.

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Answer 12

Room101A Author

Level 1

133 points

Jul 10, 2024 7:47 AM in response to Room101A

Would rebooting in recovery mode using the combo Command/Option/R and reinstalling Sonoma fix this as nothing else seems to work? Looks like I have well and truly dug myself into a hole I can't get out of.

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