// troubleshooting guide · keyboard maestro
Keyboard Maestro Engine Not Launching at Login
- Status
- Workaround available
- platforms:
- macOS
- updated:
- November 15, 2026
- reports:
- 3
- Method
- how we research
RUNBOOK · keyboard-maestro/engine-not-running-at-login5 FIXES
// quick answer
If 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.
Most likely fix: Move the app in Finder
How to fix it
// try these in order, the most common fix is first
FIX 1Move the app in Finder
- 01Drag Keyboard Maestro.app into Applications using Finder
- 02Relaunch it
Did this fix it?FIX 2Re-enable Launch Engine at Login
- 01Open Keyboard Maestro Preferences > General
- 02Tick Launch Engine at Login
Did this fix it?FIX 3Clean up Login Items
- 01Open System Settings > General > Login Items
- 02Keep only Keyboard Maestro Engine, and make sure Hide is off
Did this fix it?FIX 4Remove quarantine (fallback)
- 01Run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine on the app in Terminal
Did this fix it?FIX 5Remove duplicate copies
- 01Delete older copies of Keyboard Maestro so only one remains
Did this fix it?
Symptoms
Macros work only after opening Keyboard Maestro manually, or the Launch Engine at Login setting turns itself off.
Why it happens
- C-01App translocation (running from a random temporary path)
- C-02Both Keyboard Maestro and Engine in Login Items
- C-03Hide box ticked on the Engine login item
- C-04Multiple Keyboard Maestro versions installed
// this guide also covers
- keyboard maestro engine not running
- keyboard maestro launch at login
- keyboard maestro engine keeps quitting
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