Keyboard Maestro Not Working? Common Errors & Fixes
The 12 Keyboard Maestro problems users hit most often, why they happen, and the fixes that actually work — collected from user reports, forums, and official support docs.
Keyboard Maestro Macros Not Firing
Workaround availablemacOSWhen a macro does nothing, the Engine is usually not running, the macro or group is disabled, or permissions are missing. Run Help > Interactive Help in the editor, which checks these in order.
Keyboard Maestro Not Working After macOS Update
OngoingmacOSmacOS updates often leave Accessibility permission looking enabled while it is not. Toggle it off and on for both Keyboard Maestro and the Engine, then restart the Engine.
Keyboard Maestro Typed String Trigger Not Working
Workaround availablemacOSTyped-string triggers need Accessibility and often Input Monitoring for the Engine, and do not fire in password fields or the editor. Check permissions and Secure Input first.
Keyboard Maestro Secure Input Blocking Macros
Workaround availablemacOSWhile an app holds macOS Secure Input, Keyboard Maestro cannot see typed strings or type reliably. Find and quit the app holding it; Keyboard Maestro can detect but not bypass it.
Keyboard Maestro Engine Not Launching at Login
Workaround availablemacOSIf the Engine does not start at login, the app is usually translocated, login items are duplicated or hidden. Move the app to Applications and re-enable Launch Engine at Login.
Keyboard Maestro Click at Found Image Not Working
Workaround availablemacOSFound-image actions most often fail because the Engine lacks Screen Recording permission. Grant it to the Engine itself, then re-test with a Screen Capture action.
Keyboard Maestro Actions Not Working on macOS Tahoe
OngoingmacOS 26 (Tahoe)On macOS 26 some tokens and actions fail until Automation permissions and the latest version are in place. Update to 11.1.1 or later and re-grant permissions to the Engine.
Keyboard Maestro Macros Not Saving
Workaround availablemacOSMacros fail to save when the Keyboard Maestro preferences folder or Macros.plist is not writable. Check ownership and remove spurious ACLs.
Keyboard Maestro Safari and Chrome Actions Not Working
Workaround availablemacOSBrowser actions need Safari's Develop menu with Allow JavaScript from Apple Events, and Chrome may need a restart or explicit app name. Without these the actions fail silently.
Keyboard Maestro Dropped or Wrong Characters When Typing
Workaround availablemacOSMacros can type or paste too quickly for some apps. Add short pauses or increase the action delay for that macro only.
Keyboard Maestro Execute Shell Script Command Not Found
Workaround availablemacOSThe Execute Shell Script action runs in non-interactive bash with an empty default PATH, so installed commands are not found. Set PATH inside the script.
Keyboard Maestro Won't Launch or Runaway Macro at Login
Workaround availablemacOSA looping login macro can lock you out. Cancel all macros with Ctrl-Option-Shift-click on the status icon, or launch the editor without the Engine to disable the trigger.
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