Copy & Paste do not work in Mac OS Mojave

Cmd-C and Cmd-V do nothing since I installed Mac OS Mojave.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Oct 28, 2018 3:41 PM

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8 replies

Oct 28, 2018 3:43 PM in response to Darryl Rehr

A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later

You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


Be sure to back up your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
  2. Disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  3. Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences.
  6. Start the computer in Safe Mode. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally. Also, see Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support and Playing Safe- what does Safe mode do?.
  7. Use the Apple Hardware Test to see if there is any hardware malfunction. How to invoke and interpret the Apple hardware tests - CNET.
  8. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list. Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  9. Repair permissions on the Home folder: Resolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder.
  10. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  11. Download and install the OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update or 10.12.6 Combo Update or Download macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Combo Update or Get MacOS Mojave now from the Mac App Store as needed.
  12. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
  13. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
  1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
  2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.
  3. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  4. Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  7. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

14. If none of the above helps then see How to Downgrade macOS High Sierra and macOS Reversion- How to Downgrade from High Sierra.

15. If you get here without success then make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple.

Oct 28, 2018 4:52 PM in response to Kappy

Quite a long list!


I stopped at Step 6 - Safe Mode.


I followed the instructions in the link, but on my computer, it never got to the log in window. The progress bar below the Apple logo filled up completely (took much longer than normal, but OK). I continued to hold down the Shift Key for another 60 seconds. When nothing happened, I released it. I waited another 60 seconds, and when nothing happened again, I force-powered-down.


The shortcut malfunction continues. I will try the other steps in due time, unless someone comes up with a more specific solution.


My feeling is that this is a system software problem.

Oct 28, 2018 5:01 PM in response to Darryl Rehr

Safeboot can take quit some time to boot up, more than your 60 second wait limit.


Takes noticeable longer to get to the login screen, does a 5 minute disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches, dynamic loader cache, etc. get cleared and rebuilt. This test will tell you if third party interference; extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.


You can get a good look at your system config by running the http://etrecheck.com/ looking for conflicts.

Oct 29, 2018 6:51 AM in response to dialabrain

The problem went away in Safe Mode, now that I had the information to carry through with this procedure.


The conflict was quickly isolated to CopyPaste Pro. In Mojave, on my computer, this app disables the shortcuts. It also disables the function of Typinator (a text expander).


Quitting our of CopyPaste Pro makes the problem go away. I have contacted the developers and informed them of the problem.


Thanks to those who replied to this thread.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Copy & Paste do not work in Mac OS Mojave

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