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Command + Q and Command + W shortcuts not working after macOS 27 update

Hello,


After installing the macOS 27 update on my 15-inch MacBook Air M5, the Cmd + Q and Cmd + W keyboard shortcuts have completely stopped responding.


This issue is happening system-wide across all applications. Other command-based shortcuts (like copy and paste) are functioning normally, and my keyboard layout has not been changed.


Has anyone else experienced this specific shortcut failure after the update, and what steps can I take to fix it?


Thanks in advance!

4 replies

Yes — ⌘Q and ⌘W are standard macOS shortcuts. Apple documents ⌘Q for quitting the current app and ⌘W for closing the current window or tab. Apple: Mac keyboard shortcuts


I searched for reports of both shortcuts failing system-wide after macOS 27. I found reports of other shortcut-related issues, but I did not find an Apple document confirming a specific macOS 27 issue that disables both ⌘Q and ⌘W.


Since the problem occurs across applications, first check System Settings >> Keyboard >> Keyboard Shortcuts, particularly App Shortcuts, for any custom assignments involving ⌘Q or ⌘W. 


Also check Modifier Keys to make sure the Command key is assigned normally. 


If you have customized these settings, restoring the defaults is worth trying. Apple: Change keyboard shortcuts on Mac


Next, completely quit any third-party keyboard remapping or keyboard-utility software and test the shortcuts again. 


If you use a remapper such as Karabiner-Elements, review its rules and Complex Modifications for anything involving Command, Q, or W.


It is also useful to check whether macOS is registering the individual keys correctly. 


Open a simple text application and verify that Q and W produce the expected characters when pressed normally. 


Then hold Command while pressing them. This does not test whether the shortcuts themselves are functioning, but it can help identify whether the issue is limited to the shortcut combinations.


Finally, open an application's menu and check whether Quit still displays ⌘Q and Close Window displays ⌘W. 


If they do, macOS is still displaying those standard assignments. Apple: Mac keyboard shortcuts


If the shortcuts still do not work after these checks, testing them in a new macOS user account may help determine whether the behaviour is specific to your current user configuration.

Restarting the Mac's window server or Dock process or resetting keyboard shortcuts to default generally resolves system-wide Cmd + Q and Cmd + W failures after an update.


Quick Fixes to Try

  • Restart the Dock Process: Open the Terminal app (use Spotlight or in Applications > Utilities) and type killall Dock, then press return. This safely reloads the system layer responsible for windows and shortcuts without closing your work. 
  • Restore Shortcut Defaults: Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts, and click Restore Defaults.



  • Check for Conflicting Apps: Third-party window managers, macro tools (like BetterTouchTool), or remapping utilities can capture these shortcuts globally. Quit any running background utility apps to test if they are intercepting Cmd + Q or Cmd + W


If that does not help, then see if the problem is present when you boot in safe mode. That process performs some system cleanup and clears caches, and also disables 3rd party extensions that may cause problems.

 

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support


If that does not correct the issue, test in a new user account. A newly-created user account will have all settings at default, and if the issue does not occur in that new account then it provides guidance on what may need to be changed to correct the issue.

 

Add a user or group on Mac - Apple Support

 

Once the testing is complete, the new account can easily be deleted.

 

Delete a user or group on Mac – Apple Support


Those steps will help to isolate the problem.

การรีสตาร์ทกระบวนการ Dock ผ่าน Terminal ทำได้ดังนี้:

1. เปิดแอป **Terminal** (ค้นหาผ่าน Spotlight โดยกด Cmd + Space แล้วพิมพ์ Terminal หรือไปที่ Applications > Utilities > Terminal)

2. พิมพ์คำสั่งด้านล่างนี้แล้วกด **Enter**:

```bash

killall Dock


```

คำสั่งนี้จะทำการปิดและโหลดกระบวนการ Dock ใหม่ทันทีเพื่อคืนค่าการทำงาน โดยไม่ส่งผลกระทบหรือปิดงานที่เปิดใช้อยู่ในระบบ


ผู้ใช้สอบถามปัญหาเกี่ยวกับคีย์บอร์ดลัด **Cmd + Q** และ **Cmd + W** ไม่ทำงานในทุกแอปพลิเคชันหลังอัปเดต macOS

**แนวทางการแก้ไขที่มีผู้แนะนำ:**

* **รีสตาร์ท Dock:** เปิดแอป Terminal แล้วพิมพ์คำสั่ง killall Dock จากนั้นกด Enter

* **คืนค่าเริ่มต้นคีย์บอร์ด:** ไปที่ **System Settings** > **Keyboard** > **Keyboard Shortcuts** แล้วกด **Restore Defaults**

* **ปิดแอปที่ขัดแย้ง:** ตรวจสอบและปิดแอปประเภท Window Manager หรือแอปตั้งค่าปุ่มลัด (เช่น BetterTouchTool) ที่อาจดักจับปุ่มลัด

* **ทดสอบเพิ่มเติม:** หากยังไม่หาย ให้ลองรีสตาร์ทเครื่องเข้า **Safe Mode** หรือทดสอบสร้าง **User Account** ใหม่เพื่อทดสอบการใช้งาน