Turn your Mission Control keyboard shortcuts back on

Why it happens

Each Mission Control shortcut can be ticked on or off, and its keys can be changed. An app, an update or a stray click can untick one or swap its keys, so the familiar combination stops doing anything. They all live in one list in Keyboard settings.

How to fix it

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings and click Keyboard in the sidebar.

2. Click Keyboard Shortcuts…, then choose Mission Control in the list on the left.

   Keyboard›Keyboard Shortcuts…›Mission Control

3. Tick each shortcut you want to use. Click the arrow next to Mission Control to see Move left a Space, Move right a Space and the Switch to Desktop shortcuts. The usual keys are Control-Up Arrow for Mission Control, Control-Down Arrow for Application windows, and Control-Left or Control-Right Arrow for Move left a Space or Move right a Space.

4. To change a shortcut, double-click its keys and press the new combination. Click Restore Defaults at the bottom if you'd rather put everything back as it was.

5. Click Done and try the shortcut.

Still not fixed?

1. Want to jump straight to a desktop with Control and a number? Add a second desktop in Mission Control first. Switch to Desktop 1, 2 and so on sit inside the Mission Control row, appear only once those desktops exist, and need ticking.

   Keyboard›Keyboard Shortcuts…›Mission Control

2. If a shortcut uses an F key, like F11 for Show Desktop, you may need to hold the Fn or Globe key with it on a Mac laptop keyboard.

3. If the shortcut works in some apps but not in one, that app may use the same keys for itself. Pick a different combination for the Mission Control shortcut.

4. Prefer a gesture? Turn on Mission Control in Trackpad settings under More Gestures.

   Trackpad›More Gestures›Mission Control

5. If no Mission Control shortcut works with the boxes ticked, try another keyboard. If keys don't respond anywhere, the keyboard may be faulty, so contact Apple Support or a repair shop.