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a522 | Florian
Participant
Sep 16, 2026 10:53 AM UTC
Question

Keyboard modifiers randomly stop working

Modifier keys suddenly stop working in InDesign. Shift, space, control, option, command lose their functionality. For example, option-dragging an element moves it instead of copying it, despite the double arrow cursor being displayed.

This issue appears exclusively in InDesign. All other programs (including Adope apps) are unaffected. Only a reboot temporarily fixes it. After a while, the issue reappears.

 

I have no software that changes keyboard behaviour. No Webroot installed either. 

Downgrading to an older InDesign version does not solve it. The issue appears irrespective of what files are open.

  • MacOS 26.7
  • InDesign 21.5.1

Having to reboot multiple times a day just to keep InDesign working is incredibly frustrating. Is there a fix to this issue?

    6 replies

    nik.m
    Community Manager
    nik.mCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    Sep 22, 2026 10:04 AM UTC

    Hi ​@a522 | Florian, just wanted to follow up on this conversation to see if you're still experiencing this behavior. If yes, could you check if you have software like 1Password, the way ​@Incredible_Breeze1674 mentioned, or any of the apps Monika mentioned.
    If you do, please quit them and then check if you continue to experience the same issue.

     

    Thanks,

    Nikunj 

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    Incredible_Breeze1674
    Participant
    Sep 17, 2026 5:45 AM UTC

    I had this issue crop up just now. In my case quitting 1Password immediately fixed the issue - without needing to reboot or relaunch Indesign. May or may not help but worth a look.

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    leo.r
    Community Expert
    leo.rCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Sep 17, 2026 11:58 PM UTC
    In my case quitting 1Password immediately fixed the issue



    That’s important info. If you can, you may want to contact 1Password and request to fix this problem

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    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Sep 16, 2026 12:36 PM UTC

    THis is a list of apps and settings that interfere with the keyboard. Do you have any of them?

     

    • WhatsApp on the web being the active tab in the browser
    • WebRoot
    • Apple Terminal 
    • Word, Excel, Powerpoint
    • »Enable Full Keyboard« in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard on Mac OS
    • »Keyboard Navigation« in Apple settings > Keyboard 
    • Apple Mail, Outlook
    • Spacebar is used as a shortcut by the system
    • Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari
    • Wacom Desktop Center, Wacom settings
    • Windows Touch Pad problem
    • LastPass, Bitwarden (password managers)
    • The VPN
    • LangSwitcher app (it needs to be closed and disabled)
    • Notes
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    leo.r
    Community Expert
    leo.rCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Sep 16, 2026 10:59 AM UTC
    I have no software that changes keyboard behaviour.


    Keyboard behavior can be affected by software you wouldn’t expect it from. For example, display management utilities.

    Regardless, update first to just-released InDesign 21.6 and see if it makes a difference.

    If it doesn’t help, try to reset preferences and caches:

    https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-rebuilding-preferences-cache/


    Report back if the problem persists.

    ​​​​​​​

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    Community Expert
    Manan JoshiCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Sep 16, 2026 10:55 AM UTC

    Try it by booting your computer in safe mode.

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    -Manan
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