Alfred Snippets Not Expanding

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

1. FIX 1Enable auto-expansion

   Copy steps
   1. 01Alfred Preferences > Features > Snippets
   2. 02Tick Automatically expand snippets by keyword (top right) and follow the permission prompt
   3. 03Make sure the checkbox next to the specific snippet is ticked
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. FIX 2Grant Accessibility and Input Monitoring

   Copy steps
   1. 01System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility: enable Alfred (remove and re-add if already on)
   2. 02System Settings > Privacy & Security > Input Monitoring: enable Alfred
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. FIX 3Clear Secure Input

   Copy steps
   1. 01Quit or relaunch the app Alfred names in the warning
   2. 02Log out or restart the Mac
   3. 03If it recurs, quit Safari, wait 10 seconds and test; then disable extensions one at a time
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. FIX 4Slow down expansion

   Copy steps
   1. 01Snippets > Auto Expansion Options > Tweaking
   2. 02Move the slider left, then right until expansion is reliable
   3. 03In Google Docs: Tools > Preferences > Substitutions, disable all substitutions
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. FIX 5Fix keyword and conflicts

   Copy steps
   1. 01Remove spaces before or after the keyword
   2. 02Make sure Cmd+V still pastes
   3. 03Disable other text expanders and test in TextEdit
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Typing a snippet keyword does nothing, the keyword stays in the text, only part of the snippet appears, or Alfred shows a Secure Input warning.

Why it happens

• C-01Auto-expansion turned off globally or for that snippet
• C-02Missing Accessibility or Input Monitoring permission
• C-03Another app holds Secure Input (often a browser password extension)
• C-04Extra spaces in the keyword
• C-05Key events too fast for the target app (Google Docs)
• C-06Cmd+V reassigned, or another text expander interfering

// this guide also covers

• alfred snippets not working
• alfred snippets not expanding
• alfred secure input
• alfred text expansion not working

Other Alfred errors

• Alfred Hotkey Not Working
• Alfred Not Finding Files
• Alfred Not Finding Apps
• Alfred Clipboard History Not Working
• Alfred Slow to Open or Lagging
• Alfred Workflows Not Working
• Alfred Preferences Not Saving or Syncing
• Alfred Powerpack Not Activating