What causes "Keyboard Maestro Dropped or Wrong Characters When Typing"?

Target app cannot keep up with simulated keystrokes Held trigger key interfering Secure Input in password fields Paste happens before the clipboard updates

// troubleshooting guide · keyboard maestro

Keyboard Maestro Dropped or Wrong Characters When Typing

Q: How do I fix "Keyboard Maestro Dropped or Wrong Characters When Typing"?

1. Add Pause actions: Insert a Pause of about 0.3 seconds between steps Use Pause Until for window or text changes 2. Increase the action delay: Add a Set Action Delay action at the start of the macro Raise the delay only for that macro 3. Fix clipboard pastes: Insert all text in one action and add a pause after Command keys

Status: Workaround available
platforms:: macOS
updated:: November 15, 2026
reports:: 2
Method: how we research

RUNBOOK · keyboard-maestro/typing-too-fast-dropped-characters3 FIXES

// quick answer

Macros can type or paste too quickly for some apps. Add short pauses or increase the action delay for that macro only.

Most likely fix: Add Pause actions

How to fix it

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

FIX 1Add Pause actions
1. 01Insert a Pause of about 0.3 seconds between steps
2. 02Use Pause Until for window or text changes
Did this fix it?
FIX 2Increase the action delay
1. 01Add a Set Action Delay action at the start of the macro
2. 02Raise the delay only for that macro
Did this fix it?
FIX 3Fix clipboard pastes
1. 01Insert all text in one action and add a pause after Command keys
Did this fix it?