Left Command key not working on 2021 MacBook Pro (M1 Pro Chip)

The left hand side CMD key on my MacBook has stopped working today - the right one still works fine, but all the shortcuts I use are left-handed muscle memory so this is quite inconvenient.


The key is clean, I checked the keyboard settings, restarted the MacBook, and I updated to the latest software (macOS Tahoe 26.2) but none of this has helped.


I have a 16" 2021 MacBook Pro, with an Apple M1 Pro chip. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Dec 14, 2025 10:22 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 14, 2025 10:30 AM

First, let’s see if this issue happens in Safe Mode:


  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Press and hold the power button on your Mac. As you continue to hold the power button, your Mac turns on and loads startup options. When you see Options, release the power button.
  3. Select your startup disk. It's named Macintosh HD, unless you changed its name.
  4. Press and hold the Shift key, then click the “Continue in Safe Mode” button below your startup disk.
  5. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.


If the strange behaviors do not occur, then it may possibly be a software issue.


If the issue doesn't continue in safe mode:

Leave safe mode by restarting your Mac normally, then try to reproduce the issue.


If the issue doesn't return, it might have been resolved by the other things that safe mode did at startup, such as checking your disk and clearing caches.


If the problem persists, then let’s try this:


If none of those ideas work, then I recommend service.


Service Checklist:



Click ▶︎ Start a Service Request. ⚛️



Need more help?


Click ▶︎ Check Repair Status. 🔧


Good luck! 👋🏼😉

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 14, 2025 10:30 AM in response to millygalls

First, let’s see if this issue happens in Safe Mode:


  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Press and hold the power button on your Mac. As you continue to hold the power button, your Mac turns on and loads startup options. When you see Options, release the power button.
  3. Select your startup disk. It's named Macintosh HD, unless you changed its name.
  4. Press and hold the Shift key, then click the “Continue in Safe Mode” button below your startup disk.
  5. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.


If the strange behaviors do not occur, then it may possibly be a software issue.


If the issue doesn't continue in safe mode:

Leave safe mode by restarting your Mac normally, then try to reproduce the issue.


If the issue doesn't return, it might have been resolved by the other things that safe mode did at startup, such as checking your disk and clearing caches.


If the problem persists, then let’s try this:


If none of those ideas work, then I recommend service.


Service Checklist:



Click ▶︎ Start a Service Request. ⚛️



Need more help?


Click ▶︎ Check Repair Status. 🔧


Good luck! 👋🏼😉

Dec 14, 2025 11:17 AM in response to millygalls


Use the Keyboard viewer and see if the key is registering...

ref: Use the Keyboard Viewer on Mac - Apple Support



Single key issue can point to a keyboard hardware issue.

Plug in an external keyboard and compare your results(?)




—You can Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 




Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS

Left Command key not working on 2021 MacBook Pro (M1 Pro Chip)

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