Skip to main content
aarons16248723
Participant
January 1, 2024
Answered

After Effects 24, Keyboard shortcut for split layer (Shift+cmd+D) doesn't work

  • January 1, 2024
  • 3 replies
  • 3192 views

I recently upgraded to 24 and there are some bugs, but most go away by closing and reopening.  One just popped up that despite closing and opening and restarting, it won't go away.   The keyboard shortcut for split layer (Shift+cmd+D) doesn't work.  I went into keyboard shortcuts and it said that was the shortcut.  When I got rid of it and tried to reassign it to that, it turns out that it AE won't even accept that as a keyboard shortcut.  Can anyone think of a solve for this, short of uninstalling and reinstalling AE?

 

Title edited by Mod.

Correct answer A3user

Defiinelty something is stealing that Control+Shift+D combo even if I don't see anything happening because I just tried the same combination on Premiere Pro where it's supposed to apply the default audio transition and it also does not work.

 

I googled other programs that use that combination and for example the windows calculator should erase the history when using that combo but it doesn't do anything. Supposedly Notepad should delete a line with that combo but also does nothing. Microsoft workd should double underline the text, also does nothing. 

 

I even found this keyboard tester ( https://defkey.com/keyboard-tester )and it shows all the combinations of keyboards I do and a list of the programs that use it. And I can get it to show other keyboard combos but if I press control+shift+d  it only recognizes like I typed control+shift  . It's not that the D key is damaged since I can type it everywhere.  I have no idea what can be causing that the combination control+shift+d is not recognized anywhere. 


I FINALLY solved it!!!!! I downloadd a tool called Hotkey Detective ( https://github.com/ITachiLab/hotkey-detective/releases ) and with that I found out that the screen recording app iTop Screen Recording uses that shortcut to activate the Magnifier option. I'm not sure what it does since nothing happens but I just deleted that shorcut from there and now the Control+Shift+D combo works everywhere!! 

3 replies

Participating Frequently
March 21, 2024

I am having the exact same problem, extreemly frustrating!

The shortcut appears in the Keyboard Shortcuts

I additionally added it into custom shortcuts, didn't fix the issue.

I reset all preferences as per @Warren Heaton10841144 suggestion, still didn't fix it.

I can assign a totally different key to Split Layer and it works fine but Shift+Ctrl+D is just not working.

@aarons16248723 did you end upfinding a fix for this?

A3user
Inspiring
September 12, 2025

Hi! I have the exact same issue even having the correct shortcut configured

Did you solve it @Dave_BSM @aarons16248723 ?

Warren Heaton
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 17, 2025

Hi Warren, I do see the keyboard shortcut in the edit pull menu and it does the action when I choose it, that's how I have been doing it since the keyboard shortcut does not work. I'm using version 25.4 (the latest update).  The other shortcut process you mention does work but I think it's quicker to select the edit menu and select the split layer option if I already have my right hand on my mouse. The split shorcut (Control+Shift+D) is even quicker since I do it with my left hand without needing to let go of the mouse. 
How can I confirm if it's an addon or extension what's not letting me use the shorcut? Wouldn't something happen when doing the shorcut instead of splitting the layer? Nothing happens when I press it. 


@A3user 

To disable add-ons and extensions, run After Effects in Safe Mode.  If you haven't' done this before, go to Edit > Preferences > Setup & Repair and then click Startup in Safe Mode....

When AfterEffects relaunches, create a Comp, create a Solid, and then try Slit Layer.

To get out of Safe Mode, relaunch After Effects.

Instead of corrupt preferences, an add-on, or an extension, it could be another application or background utility intercepting the keystroke - even though nothing happens when the keys are pressed.

 

Some other things that come to mind:

  • Double-check that Windows is not set to a different input language/keyboard layout.
  • Try a different keyboard.

 

Participating Frequently
January 3, 2024

Try resetting Adobe After Effects preferences by holding down Ctrl+Alt+Shift (Windows) or Command+Option+Shift (Mac) when launching the software.

aarons16248723
Participant
January 17, 2024

Should there be some indication of this working?  I tried it and AE went through the natural boot up through the list of recent projects, and nothing had changed.  It reacted as if I didn't do anything.

Warren Heaton
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 18, 2024

While After Effects is open, you can go to After Effects > Settings... > Setup and Repair > Preference Management > Reset All Preferences to Defaults; however, you may not need to do this.

Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts and check if you are using "After Effects Default.txt" (in which case shift + command + d should work) or if you're using a Custom preset where Split Layer at Current Time has unintentionally been cleared.

 

 

Depending on what you see and how you would like to proceed, you can restore the After Effects Default or add ⇧+⌘+D to your Custom shortcuts.

nishu_kush
Community Manager
Community Manager
January 3, 2024

The shortcut seems to be working fine at my end. Try running After Effects in Safe Mode. If it helps, you may need to reset the preferences of After Effects.

Let us know how it goes.

Note: Moving this thread from Bugs to Discussions for troubleshooting.

 

Thanks,

Nishu

aarons16248723
Participant
January 17, 2024

Neither option fixed the issue.  Additionally, another member of my team has had the same issue with the same shortcut and for me the main delete button above return on the keyboard isn't recognized by After Effects any more and I have to use the one above the arrows.