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Launchpad key not working. Anyone else?

Hi Support Forums.


I just picked up one of the new Airs, and I restored everything from a Time Machine backup (of a computer that was running Lion GM). I'm having trouble with the Launchpad function key (F4). All of the rest of the function keys do their jobs properly, but the Launcpad one doesn't start up Launchpad.


I tried assigning a keyboard shortcut to Fn+(F4) and that worked properly, so it's not an issue with the hardware. And on the guest account, the key works properly, so it's specific to my user account.


I searched the forums, and I couldn't find anything about specific function keys going out. Does anybody have an ideas on what I can do to restore the key? Is there a plist that I can edit or delete? Is anyone else experiencing this?

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Jul 22, 2011 1:55 PM

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Posted on Jul 22, 2011 10:28 PM

Hi Arthur,


I also had exactly this problem until 5 minutes ago. It seems to happen when transferring the user account from another Mac (MacBook Air Late 2011 in my case). However, the fix is pretty simple: You just need to delete one file. Open Terminal and enter the following command:


rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.symbolichotkeys.plist


Then you need to re-login oder restart your MacBook.


The command does not delete any of your specific keyboard shortcuts you have defined.


Greetings,

Christian

23 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jul 22, 2011 10:28 PM in response to arthurbath

Hi Arthur,


I also had exactly this problem until 5 minutes ago. It seems to happen when transferring the user account from another Mac (MacBook Air Late 2011 in my case). However, the fix is pretty simple: You just need to delete one file. Open Terminal and enter the following command:


rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.symbolichotkeys.plist


Then you need to re-login oder restart your MacBook.


The command does not delete any of your specific keyboard shortcuts you have defined.


Greetings,

Christian

Aug 11, 2011 3:01 PM in response to arthurbath

Hi.


Re. " The command does not delete any of your specific keyboard shortcuts you have defined. "

.

.


Umm, sure it does. This unix command deletes the preferences file that tracks all of the keyboard changes that you make.


So, write down (snapshot) any/all functions so that you can re-assign them.


-Alan


Ps: The only exception to this are any "Application Shortcuts" hot keys.

Sep 6, 2011 9:41 PM in response to fabienfromsarrians

I have the same problem. Did not migrate any settings from old computer. Brand new 15" MBP. My F4 key didn't work. When you choose "restore defaults" under the keyboard shortcut page, it removes the show launchpad item. Funny, the default is set for it to *not* work. Anyway, I used to terminal hack mentioned, and it's working again.


There is also a conflict with Spotlight, when you set everything back to default. This has been around since Snow Leopard.


Bryan

Feb 7, 2012 6:16 AM in response to arthurbath

This problem with the F4 key not working just started for me AFTER THE LION 10.7.3 update last night. I have a Macbook Pro 13" that I purchased in November 2011. Before the update last night, in System Preferences, when I reset keyboard shortcut defaults, the launchpad key remained F4. So, in trying to troubleshoot the F4 key, I discovered that when I reset keyboard shortcut defaults, today, it unchecks and leaves the shortcut blank!!! The launchpad key (F4) still works in my kids user account though! So weird!!!!

Feb 7, 2012 7:22 AM in response to Vicky Q

I called Apple Support and the tech helped me fix this problem on my Macbook Pro. She discovered her launchpad button wasn't working either, as of the Lion update. Apparently, the Lion update unchecked the option for "Use all F1, F2, etc, as standard function keys". When I checked this option in Keyboard settings, I was able to reset F4 as my launchpad shortcut in Keyboard shortcut settings. My luanchpad and mission control buttons are both working normally now.

Feb 7, 2012 8:49 AM in response to Vicky Q

actually, after using my macbook pro more, the Apple Support Tech's "fix" did not fix the problem. Instead, it set the F keys so they only worked as special keys if I pressed the fn key first.


So, then I tried Christian Schmitt's fix, and it worked - set all the F keys back to working as the special keys. THANKS!!!!!

Launchpad key not working. Anyone else?

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