Why does cmd-f not work in Firefox, Chrome and Safari in mac OS Sierra 10.12.5?

Question

Why does cmd-f not work in Firefox, Chrome and Safari in mac OS Sierra 10.12.5?

Why does cmd-f not work in Firefox, Chrome and Safari in mac OS Sierra 10.12.5? This is on my mac mini version (late 2012).

Mac mini, macOS Sierra (10.12.5)

Posted on Jul 5, 2017 8:00 PM

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Answer 1

ishrugged

Level 3

557 points

Jul 6, 2017 10:24 PM in response to Christopher Doryan

What I suggested was a keyboard troubleshooting exercise. Regardless, I'm glad it's working for you. I don't think anyone knows if Sierra is more or less troublesome for users than other recent OSes. I've not seen an objective analysis of the subject. For me and millions(?) of others, it works well. I don't think it's possible to account for each type of use-case in existence through pre- or post-release analysis.

I do know that if you're having particular problems and you start individual discussions about them at ASC, there's a large number of users (some with decades of experience) who will generously do their best to get you running well. It will take up some time, as you'll have to be an active participant in the process, but it's possible that you'll get a better running machine out of the deal. Good luck.

User Tip: Writing an effective Apple Support Communities question

ASC is a user to user support community. To contact Apple: Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 2

ishrugged

Level 3

557 points

Jul 6, 2017 5:53 AM in response to Christopher Doryan

It should work.

Check your setting at: System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Keyboard -> Modifier Keys... -> Command Key -> Command should be chosen in the dropdown menu.

If it's already chosen, try a different keyboard. If not available, use the OS on-screen keyboard viewer to see if the chosen keys are registering. First, make it available in the menu bar: System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Keyboard -> tick box next to Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar -> then still at keyboard preferences Input Sources -> at the bottom of that pane, tick the box next to Show Input menu in menu bar. Click the new icon you just placed in the menu bar. In the dropdown, choose Show Keyboard Viewer. Using your normal keyboard, key the command and f keys to see if they 'blink' at the on-screen keyboard. If they don't, try a different keyboard.

If you're still having difficulties, post back here or start a new discussion stating the steps you've taken so someone can try to further assist you.

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Answer 3

Jul 6, 2017 10:39 PM in response to ishrugged

ishrugged - Thanks for your outstanding service spirit. I'm very thankful for your help and positive intentions in terms of trying to improve my mac OS experience.

I agree with you that it will take up quite some time for me to feel as proficient as I do in Windows, and I promise I will be an active participant in this process and/or community. It will definitely get me a better running machine out of the deal.

Although, everyday that I learn four to five new tips and tricks on how to better use my mac, I continue to be bummed out over the overwhelming amount of never ending bugs that comes with this problematic OS. For sure, no doubt in my mind, I have never struggled with such a buggy OS more than with Sierra, and that well covers my humble beginnings starting out with Windows 95 all the way to Windows 10.

Let me come out with the latest bug I can think of, give me a couple of minutes to think of the one that is bothering me the most, and that although I had already figured it out, it just seems to be a lost cause.

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Answer 4

Jul 6, 2017 11:47 PM in response to Christopher Doryan

For example when installing software, in this particular case, referring to Logitech's Control Center for my MX620 Laser Cordless Mouse, which has never failed me once on Windows 7, 8 or 10, for some reason it's impossible to use it without issues on mac Sierra 10.12.5. Whether it be problems with the Tracking Speed Multiplier, or configuring the Thumb Back and Forward Buttons by assigning them actions, which for some reason they work randomly whenever they want, and stop working also when they feel like it. In other words, this OS isn't very reliable in my opinion. And honestly, that's just my mouse struggling with the OS, I won't even start mentioning how bad my keyboard acts up with Sierra.

With Sierra I can research how to figure out things, but then again, it chooses when to work like it should.

So once I learned the following:

How to use Logitech Anywhere MX back/forward button on OSX Finder?

In the Logitech Control Center, change the assigned action for Thumb Back Button and Thumb Forward Button to Keystrokes instead of Back and Forward.

For Thumb Back Button, set the keystroke to ⌘[ (Command-[) and for Thumb Forward Button, set it to ⌘] (Command-]).

(This keystroke combination can be seen in the Firefox Keyboard Shortcuts page (currently at Help > Keyboard Shortcuts), and in the Chrome Keyboard shortcuts page as well (Help > Keyboard shortcuts).

At the end it made no difference, because I was back again on ground zero bummed out like always with this OS, since it only works when it wants to, without any reason. A OS shouldn't misbehave randomly just because it can. Oh well, I hear there's a new mac OS coming out soon anyway. I'm really looking forward to that.

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Answer 5

Jul 6, 2017 8:50 AM in response to ishrugged

That didn't do the trick. I realize how mac OS Sierra 10.12.5 is super unstable and full of bugs. Command-f came back to normality after several computer restarts.

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