CMD+C stops working for copying layers — Photoshop loses keyboard focus
CMD+C stops working intermittently when copying layers in Photoshop — keyboard focus loss
The problem: CMD+C randomly fails to copy selected layers. The failure is immediately noticeable by audio feedback — Photoshop plays a different sound when the copy fails compared to a successful copy. When copy fails, subsequent CMD+V produces no result. The issue happens very frequently and is reliably reproducible.
The problem appears to be directly related to keyboard focus loss. Switching focus to another application and returning to Photoshop usually fixes it temporarily. Sometimes switching focus between panels within Photoshop itself also helps — but not always, which suggests the focus loss behavior is inconsistent.
Environment:
- Adobe Photoshop 27.5.0 (2026)
- macOS 26.4.1
- Apple M2 Max, 32 GB RAM
- Two external SDR displays
- Plugins loaded: Lumenzia 11.9.4, StreamDeck Plugin 2.2.4, CC Libraries, Share Panel
Steps to reproduce:
- Open a multi-layer PSD document
- Select one or more layers in the Layers panel
- Press CMD+C repeatedly
- Listen to audio feedback — a different sound plays when copy fails
- Attempt CMD+V after a failed copy — nothing is pasted
- Switch to another app, return to Photoshop — CMD+C works again temporarily
Expected behavior: CMD+C copies selected layers consistently every time
Actual behavior: CMD+C silently fails very frequently. Photoshop plays an error sound indicating the command was not recognized — suggesting the canvas or layer context lost keyboard focus
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