// troubleshooting guide · espanso
Espanso Not Expanding Text
- Status
- Ongoing
- platforms:
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- updated:
- November 15, 2026
- reports:
- 3
- Method
- how we research
RUNBOOK · espanso/not-expanding3 FIXES
// quick answer
Espanso is running but triggers do nothing. First restart it, then test with force_mode to find out whether the keys or clipboard backend works.
Most likely fix: Check and restart the service
How to fix it
// try these in order, the most common fix is first
FIX 1Check and restart the service
- 01Run `espanso status`
- 02Run `espanso restart`
- 03Run `espanso log` to look for errors
Did this fix it?FIX 2Test both backends
- 01Add `force_mode: clipboard` to one match, save, and test
- 02If that fails try `force_mode: keys`
- 03Set the working one as `backend:` in config/default.yml
Did this fix it?FIX 3Check the trigger rules
- 01Remove `word: true` while testing
- 02Make sure the trigger is not preceded by letters
Did this fix it?
Symptoms
You type a trigger and it stays as typed, or only some triggers work.
Why it happens
- C-01Service stopped or stuck
- C-02Wrong injection backend for the app
- C-03Config error in a match file
- C-04Trigger typed inside a word (word: true)
// this guide also covers
- espanso not working
- espanso not expanding
- espanso trigger not working
Still not working?
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