Launchpad key not working. Anyone else?

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

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.

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

I have a new iMac (bought December 2011), and the f4 key does nothing. I've read that it is supposed to activate the launchpad. I see that Christian's answer has worked for people with Macbooks but will it work for my iMac?And I am a newbie, so I hesitate to mess with code. Any thoughts?

I also bought a new iMac in December 2011 and this is definetly a bug in Lion. I unclicked "Show Launchpad" and when I re-clicked it, it was blank. It will not accept F4 as an option.

I'd love to have it how it was, but "Restore Defaults" does not do what its supposed to. This is really annoying.➖

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!!!!

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.

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!!!!!

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3399

Christian,

You are the best, i called apple during an hour and they not haved help me...

your tips work well.

thank you !!!!!

For myself, it was not exactly the same because my old computer was a PC and i have not settings to import.

Only music and picture.

Solution working perfectly. Thanks Christian 🙂

Thanks Christian ➕

Thanks Christian!!!

Working perfectly!!!

🙂

I have an iMac 12,1 and I have the same problem but there is no such file in my library to delete.What can I do?