Command tab stops switching spaces

Occasionally, cmd+tab will stop switching spaces when you switch applications. The issue will go away if I log out and log back in. I haven't been able to cause it on purpose, and can't determine which combination of applications causes it.

Hello there, Brandon.
The steps in the following Knowledge Base article provide a good step for your issue:
OS X Mavericks: Reset your computer’s PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/ph14222
If the issue persists after the PRAM reset, then use the following to troubleshoot further:
Mac OS X: How to troubleshoot a software issue
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1199
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro

Similar Messages

  • Command-Tab App Switcher doesn't work (related to corrupt .plist file error?)

    Hi folks,
    The other day, Drive Genius 4 reported on a file corruption:  ~/Library/Preferences/System Mac.plist file. I tried to find the file but it didn't appear to exist.
    Today, a strange phenomenon occurred which I think may be related. Strangest thing. I was using Safari, had several tabs open when, suddenly, I lost all input to any links in Safari and system wide as well, other than the cursor being able to move around the display. This dysfunction also included the Command-Tab App Switcher, though they keyboard text function still worked. I could enter text in fields.
    I tried Force Quit Apps but I had to shutdown and reboot using the Power button. The reboot seemed to remedy the situation and most controls and keyboard functions returned except for the Command-Tab App Switcher.
    In Safari, I used History/Restore Last Open Page, and when the searched for pages came up, they were blank - I was informed that there was no internet connection. Wi-Fi showed still on but grayed out, which could be logical. Also, this is when I noticed that the key repeat function wasn’t working. In System Prefs, I did manage to change the key repeat rate, which accelerates the backspace erase function but there is no key repeat, itself.
    All of this, of course, might be pointing to that system file error. Whether it is that hidden Mac.plist file corruption I don’t know.
    In any event, first thing I did was to run Permissions Repair. At one point, about 2/3rds of the way in, the progress bar hung for a few minutes and then finished the last third in a split second. In the Repair Permissions log there was no /Mac.plist file among those repaired.
    Additionally in Sys Prefs, I tested for Tab key response by refocusing the radio buttons in the Full Keyboard Access option under Keyboard/Shortcuts panel from "Text boxes and lists only" to "All controls.” The refocus worked because now pressing Tab does move the cursor through every control. But still no Command-Tab App Switcher. In Spotlight, I did find the App Switcher.app but it would not open, because it is “Damaged or Missing.” App Switcher preferences are  also not accessible.
    In Terminal I changed directories and do see the /Mac.plist file under discussion. I suppose I could -rm the file but I’m reluctant without knowing more about what other anomalies might result. The App Switcher is one of the Mac’s best utilities (thanks to er, Microsoft.) If the /Mac.plist file will refresh from the current status, no problem, I would think.
    Has anyone experienced anything like this? Any suggestions? Thanks a whole lot in advance for your time and consideration in this!
    All best,
    David

    First, get rid of the worthless, time-wasting "Drive Genius" according to its developer's instructions. Never install any so-called "utility" again.
    Don't waste time repairing permissions again, either, unless you have an indication of a permission error involving system files, which you don't and probably never will.
    Never delete any file in the shell (Terminal) for any reason.
    There is no built-in application called "App Switcher." There is no built-in file named "System Mac.plist" either.
    If command-tab application switching still doesn't work after you get rid of "Drive Genius," see below.
    Please read this whole message before doing anything.
    This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
    Step 1
    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
    Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”
    While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
    Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?
    After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
    *Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
    Step 2
    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
    Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.
    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
    Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
    Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
    The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
    After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

  • How to enable Command-Tab to switch applications

    I just upgraded to Lion from Snow Leopard in my iMac, but for some reason Command-Tab is not working.
    I already restarted the computer and checked the option (it was already checked) System Preferences / Mission Control and tick "When switching to an application ...", but still not working.
    What can I do ?

    There is nothing to enable. The option you checked has nothing to do with the application switcher.
    You could look through the keyboard shortcuts and see if anything has hijacked that shortcut.
    Try starting up holding down the shift key. That will start up in safe mode and disable any third-party programs that might be affecting it. It also does a disk check, so it takes some time. See if it works in safe mode. If so, try restarting normally and see if it still works.
    If it works in safe mode, then it is likely you have something that is interfering with it.
    As another troubleshooting step is to log in as another user. If it works there, then you have something in your particular user setup that is causing the problem. If it doesn't work, then it is a system-wide problem.

  • Switching application shortcut problem (COMMAND+TAB) and (COMMAND+`)

    Hello everyone
    Since the upgrade Leopard i had a problem with the switching apps shortcut.
    Once you start the switching apps forward shortcut (COMMAND + TAB), the switching apps Backward shortcut (COMMAND + `) won't work anymore. The only thing that make it works it to use (COMMAND + SHIFT + TAB) which is not good. It gives me cramp in my left hand! HA!
    Anyways I check out petty much everywhere in the settings where I could find a customize shortcut for that. But I didn't find it. I also check if is was not an other application who was taking the same shortcut and it is not the case.
    Can somebody help me on that one.
    I know it is not a big deal but... still.
    Thanks everyone
    Benoit

    Some applications allow you to set hotkeys (Quicksilver, a 3rd party app, is the example I used -- this is not included with OSX). I was thinking that perhaps some other application you have was using the hotkey cmd-tab and stealing it from the finder.
    You can also change the 'meta' keys in the system 'Keyboard and Mouse' prefereneces (click on keyboard -> modifier keys) -- this maybe is confusing things if its not set to defaults.
    There's also a 'keyboard shortcuts' tab under keyboard and mouse, look under there e and see if there's anything involving tab (by default there shouldn't be).

  • Command tab - window doesn't switch

    I use Command+tab to switch between windows. But many a times the window doesn't switch to, rather I get the options at the toolbar.
    This is exactly the problem reported here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3458920?start=0&tstart=0
    How can I resolve this issue?

    Just found out that FoxTab 1.4.2b is causing this problem. Solution? Disable it.

  • Why has cmd-tab has stopped switching between open applications?

    why has cmd-tab stopped switching between open applications?

    Have you tried rebooting your machine? Are you multitasking and running out of RAM perhaps? Reboot the machine and check to see if it works again.
    If that doesn't work, go into system preferences and check your keyboard shortcuts.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343

  • Command+tab is autolooping

    When I use command+tab to switch programs the focus is circling through the open programs by itself (I'm not holding tab - only command). I can't get it to stop and hovering with the mouse over the desired program only makes the loop start over from that point. I have the same problem using Witch for switching between application windows.
    This problem first occured today and I now have to wait for command+tab to circle through all programs in order to get the timing right when to release and switch to the "right" program.
    /Krypto

    Now I am really stumped. After running Disk Repair (from my Tiger DVD), Permission Repair and cleaning the cache I thought I had fixed the problem. I rebooted and everything work fine...for all of 95 seconds - then BAM cmd+tab just starts to loop everything again. The only thing I did after rebooting was look at apple.com and cnn.com (none of which should cause this). The only other thing running is a sync of my .mac account. I am truly flustered since it works fine and then goes back to this auto-looping stuff without me doing anything or even opening any programs. I normally would not care this much, but it is very difficult to time the program you want to switch to when it loops as fast as it does.

  • Command+Tab question (coming from Windows XP)

    Bought my first mac...a MacBook with Leopard.
    I'm having a hard time getting used to the Command+Tab app switching functions, as I'm used to Alt+Tab in Windows. There's one particular scenario that's bugging me...
    - Open a TextEdit document window. Menubar shows TextEdit.
    - Open a Finder window. Menu shows Finder.
    - Click back on the TextEdit window. Minimize that window to the right side of the dock (running apps/windows???).
    - Click back on the finder window to make it the active app/window.
    - Use Command+Tab to cycle through the open apps and stop on TextEdit. Menubar will show TextEdit, but where's my previous document? It's still in the right side of the dock. Is there any keystroke that can then cycle through the open windows within the current app (minimized or not), so I can find my document?
    - I noticed that after that last step, after I've Command+Tabbed into TextEdit with no TE windows open on the desktop, even using Expose won't show me the docked document window. Must I use the mouse to pull that document window out of the dock???
    Thanks!
    Gary

    AFAICT, yes. Either that or select Window->minimized document. I rarely minimize windows, so I don't know if there's a shortcut to unminimize those windows.
    Since you're a newcomer to the Mac, peruse
    Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
    Basic Tutorials on using a Mac,
    MacFixIt Tutorials, and
    MacTips Learning Centre.
    Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:
    Quick Assist.
    Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides, and
    A guide for switching to a Mac.

  • Command Tab to Finder doesn't work

    Hi All,
    I've seen a few other posts with this problem, but the suggested fix didn't work for me. The problem is that after some period of use when using Command-Tab to switch to the Finder the Finder windows do not come to the front. The Finder is definitely the active application because its menu bar is displayed. But the previous application's windows are still displayed. If I Command-Tab to the Finder again (going through all open apps) or click on the Finder's dock icon, then the Finder windows will come to the front. Similarly, if I'm working in some other application and try to switch to the Finder via the Dock, the same problem exists. I have to 're-select' the FInder in order for the open FInder windows to come to the front.
    The one suggestion in another thread was to trash the Finder preference file. I did that and it didn't work. After a period of use the problem will return. The only way to fix it is to either force a relaunch of the Finder or reboot the machine.
    Unfortunately a side effect of trashing the prefs is that another problem was created - now when I relaunch the Finder it doesn't remember what windows were opened and it only gives me one window with the top level of the computer displayed. Previously when relaunching the Finder it would bring back all of my open windows. So the fix didn't work and it made things worse.
    FWIW the Command-Tab problem seems to occur after using Quicktime and/or Safari for a while. I can't be 100% sure that it's related but it really does seem like it.
    Anyone have any suggestions for how to fix this?
    Thanks,
    Chris

    One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for action in Safe Mode...
    PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive
    Reboot, test again.
    If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it is some 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.
    Check the System Preferences>Other Row, for 3rd party Pref Panes.
    Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
    /private/var/run/StartupItems
    /Library/StartupItems
    /System/Library/StartupItems
    /System/Library/LaunchDaemons
    /Library/LaunchDaemons

  • Command Tab AppleScript

    Hey All,
    I would like an applescript that would get the command tab (application switcher) up and hold it there until the mouse was clicked. Currently i have the below script but it ends at a set amount of time not a click. I would be very pleased if some one could help me out.
    tell application "System Events"
    key down command
    keystroke tab
    key code 123
    delay 2
    key up command
    end tell
    Thanks

    The following script seems to do what you are asking for:
    tell application "System Events"
        key down command
        keystroke tab
        key code 123
        repeat while (exists list 2 of process "Dock")
            delay 0.1
        end repeat
        key up command
    end tell
    Hope it can help.

  • Command-Tab Problem

    I had a small problem and was wondering if I could get some help on it. Whenever I push command-tab to switch applications it only changes the bar up top but the application doesn't show. For example if I am in iTunes and want to switch to Safari using just command-tab then the only thing that changes is the top grey bar switching from iTunes to Safari. I always thought this was how it was done until I was at a Apple store earlier and found multiple macs there brought up the whole application instead of just the top part. I'm sure its a setting I am missing but I wanted to know if anyone knows how to fix this?
    Thanks a lot.
    Matt

    My PB G4 Just started doing the same thing. I have no idea why.
    What seems to work to fix it though is to use cmnd-tab-shift to go back to the other application and then it starts working again.
    But that ***** and apple should tell us of a way to fix it.

  • Change keyboard shortcuts, e.g. command-tab to control-tab

    Any utilities for changing OS X keyboard shortcuts listed in
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1343
    such as  control-tab  rather than  command-tab  for  'Switch application–cycle forward'  ?
    (Not the same as swapping  control  key for  command key)

    Safari browser and menu shortcuts:
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42951
    Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75459
    Changing behavious of Function Keys:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3399?viewlocale=en_US
    and more useful information on keyboard shortcuts here:
    http://www.myfirstmac.com/index.php/mac/articles/mastering-keyboard-shortcuts
    How to re-map individual keys:
    http://scripts.sil.org/cms/scripts/page.php?site_id=nrsi&item_id=ukelele

  • Command-tab sometimes skips

    When I use command-tab to switch windows, sometimes it skips over certain programs.  For example, if I have 10 programs open, and I hit command-tab, it will automatically select the 2nd program in the list (which is normal, and what I expect).  But if I keep tapping tab, it will do random things sometimes, like skip over the 3rd and 4th programs in the list and go to the 5th one with only one tab stroke.
    This doesn't happen all the time, but only every now and then (I'd say maybe 5% of the time if I had to guess).  It seems to happen more when I have a bunch of programs open (10+).
    Anyone else have this problem?  Is there any way to addres it?

    When I use command-tab to switch windows, sometimes it skips over certain programs.  For example, if I have 10 programs open, and I hit command-tab, it will automatically select the 2nd program in the list (which is normal, and what I expect).  But if I keep tapping tab, it will do random things sometimes, like skip over the 3rd and 4th programs in the list and go to the 5th one with only one tab stroke.
    This doesn't happen all the time, but only every now and then (I'd say maybe 5% of the time if I had to guess).  It seems to happen more when I have a bunch of programs open (10+).
    Anyone else have this problem?  Is there any way to addres it?

  • App switcher and dock not switching spaces for application

    The app switcher occassionally stops switching spaces to bring up the application. When this happens clicking on the dock icon doesn't work to switch spaces either. A logout and log back in are needed for the functionality to return.

    Because my dock's already too full with apps that are even more frequently used. Using the app switcher became part of my workflow long ago, and I'm sorry to lose it.

  • Dock not working; command-tab switch between programs not working

    The Dock does not work. I have restarted (although the computer will not restart under "Restart", getting stuck at the last part, and needs to be restarted manually). When I change Dock preferences it reverts back to default settings. If I am lucky, the dock will appear and then disappear (poof) without having functioned.
    The command tab function for switching between programs stopped working also.
    The individual programs work, but I have to go to recent items to switch programs.
    Further, I have two Previews open (with different documents in each) even though I have only one Preview program.
    A whole lot of bizarre things that may be connected? I would appreciate any help.

    You could try removing the .plist file again, but this time, try also removing the com.apple.dock.db file. Then log out and log in again.
    Also, it seems as if many people are having similar problems. See [this thread|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9126119].
    So, does the problem persist with another user account?
    If it were my machine, the next thing I'd try is downloading the combo updater from Apple's website and reinstalling it. 10.5.6 is available [here|http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10-5-6_ComboUpdate].

Maybe you are looking for