TextExpander Snippets Not Expanding

How to fix it

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

1. FIX 1Make sure TextExpander is running

   Copy steps
   1. 01Mac: open TextExpander from Applications (move it there if it's still in Downloads)
   2. 02Windows: launch TextExpander from the Start menu
   3. 03Look for the icon in the menu bar (Mac) or system tray (Windows)
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. FIX 2Turn expansion back on

   Copy steps
   1. 01Open TextExpander Preferences > Expansion and check 'Expand abbreviations'
   2. 02Open the menu bar/tray icon: the second item should read 'Disable Expansion'. If it reads 'Enable Expansion', click it
   3. 03If the menu mentions Secure Input, follow the Secure Input guide
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. FIX 3Test in a plain text app

   Copy steps
   1. 01Try the snippet in TextEdit (Mac) or Notepad (Windows)
   2. 02If it works there but not in your app, open the snippet group's settings and check which apps it's allowed to expand in
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. FIX 4Sign out and back in

   Copy steps
   1. 01Before signing out, move any app-only snippets into their own group and save it to the desktop
   2. 02Mac: TextExpander menu > Sign out of TextExpander; Windows: tray icon > Sign out of TextExpander
   3. 03Sign back in and wait for sync
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. FIX 5Check the abbreviation itself

   Copy steps
   1. 01Confirm you type it exactly as saved, including case
   2. 02Check the snippet's case-sensitivity setting
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

You type an abbreviation and it stays as typed; no expansion sound plays. The TextExpander icon may be grayed out or show a yellow triangle. Snippets may work in TextEdit or Notepad but not in other apps.

Why it happens

• C-01TextExpander isn't running
• C-02Expansion disabled in preferences or the menu bar/tray menu
• C-03Signed out or out of sync with TextExpander.com
• C-04Snippet group turned off for specific apps
• C-05Abbreviation typed differently (case-sensitive) than saved
• C-06macOS Secure Input active

// this guide also covers

• textexpander not working
• textexpander not expanding
• textexpander stopped working
• textexpander yellow triangle

Other TextExpander errors

• TextExpander Secure Input Error on Mac
• TextExpander Chrome Extension Not Working
• TextExpander Not Working in Google Docs
• TextExpander Not Working in Outlook or Word
• TextExpander Keyboard Not Expanding on iPhone
• TextExpander Only Types the Letter V
• TextExpander Pastes Old Clipboard Text
• TextExpander Snippets Disappeared