Fix “Shortcut Not Found” Error on Mac (nscocoaerrordomain)

Have you ever encountered a cryptic error message on your Mac that reads “errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=không thể tìm thấy phím tắt được chỉ định.&errorcode=4”? If so, you’re not alone. This error can appear for various reasons and can be frustrating, especially if you don’t understand Vietnamese (where “không thể tìm thấy phím tắt được chỉ định” translates to “cannot find the specified shortcut”). Fear not, for this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and solutions to tackle this error effectively.

Understanding the Error Message

The message itself provides some clues about the nature of the problem. Here’s a breakdown of its components:

• errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain: This indicates that the error originates from the Cocoa framework, a fundamental part of macOS that handles user interface elements and application interactions.
• errormessage=không thể tìm thấy phím tắt được chỉ định.: This translates to “cannot find the specified shortcut,” suggesting an issue with a keyboard shortcut or hotkey functionality.
• errorcode=4: This numeric code, while not universally standardized across macOS errors, might offer additional insights to developers for pinpointing the exact cause.

In simpler terms, the error signifies that macOS is unable to locate or execute a specific keyboard shortcut you’re trying to use. This could be due to various factors, which we’ll explore in the following sections.

Common Causes of “errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=không thể tìm thấy phím tắt được chỉ định.&errorcode=4” Error

Several scenarios can trigger this error message. Here are some of the most common culprits:

• Conflicting Keyboard Shortcuts: Different applications or system functions might be assigned conflicting keyboard shortcuts. When you attempt to use a shortcut, macOS might not be able to determine which application or function to trigger, leading to the error.
• Corrupted Application Preferences: Occasionally, an application’s preference files can become corrupted, leading to issues with its configuration, including keyboard shortcuts.
• System-Level Shortcut Conflicts: In rare instances, system-level keyboard shortcuts might interfere with application-specific shortcuts, causing the error to appear.
• Third-Party Software Interference: Third-party software, particularly utility applications or system-modifying tools, can sometimes introduce conflicts with keyboard shortcuts.
• Outdated macOS Version: Using an outdated version of macOS might contain bugs or compatibility issues that can manifest as this error, especially if the error is related to a specific application that requires a newer macOS update.

Troubleshooting Steps to Resolve the Error

Now that you understand the potential causes, let’s delve into the solutions. Here’s a structured approach to troubleshoot and fix the “errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=không thể tìm thấy phím tắt được chỉ định.&errorcode=4” error:

1. Identify the Conflicting Shortcut: The first step is to pinpoint the specific shortcut causing the issue. Try to recall the action you were attempting to perform when the error occurred. You can also review the keyboard shortcut settings for frequently used applications to identify potential conflicts.

2. Check Application Preferences:

   • Individual Applications: Most applications allow you to customize keyboard shortcuts within their settings. Open the application’s preferences and navigate to the keyboard shortcut section. Look for any shortcuts that might conflict with the one you’re trying to use. If you find a conflict, try reassigning one of the shortcuts to a different key combination.
   • System Preferences: You can also check system-wide keyboard shortcut settings by navigating to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts. Here, review the various categories like App Shortcuts, Services, and Mission Control to identify any conflicts with the problematic shortcut. If necessary, reassign conflicting system-wide shortcuts.

3. Restart the Application: Sometimes, a simple application restart can resolve temporary glitches that might be causing the error. Close the application completely and relaunch it to see if the issue persists.

4. Reset Application Preferences: If adjusting individual preferences doesn’t resolve the problem, consider resetting the application’s preferences to their defaults. This can often eliminate any corrupted configuration that might be causing the shortcut conflict. Be aware that resetting preferences might erase any custom settings you’ve made within the application. Consult the application’s documentation for specific instructions on resetting preferences.

5. Update macOS: Ensure you’re running the latest version of macOS. Outdated versions might contain bugs related to keyboard shortcuts that have been fixed in newer updates. Back up your important data before performing any updates.

6. Identify Conflicting Third-Party Software:

   • Review Recently Installed Applications: Think back to any applications you installed around the time the error started appearing. Third-party utilities or system-modifying tools can sometimes introduce conflicts with keyboard shortcuts. Try temporarily disabling or uninstalling any recently installed software to see if it resolves the issue.

   • Activity Monitor: You can use Activity Monitor (located in /Applications/Utilities/) to identify processes that might be interfering with keyboard shortcuts. Look for any applications with high CPU or memory usage, especially when the error occurs. Quitting such applications might help isolate the culprit.

7. Safe Mode Boot: Booting your Mac into Safe Mode temporarily disables certain system extensions and non-essential startup items. This can help determine if a background process or kernel extension is causing the shortcut conflict. Here’s how to boot into Safe Mode:

   • Shut down your Mac completely.

   • Power on your Mac and hold down the Shift key immediately after the startup chime.

   • Keep holding Shift until you see the Apple logo with a progress bar appear.

   • Once booted, you’ll see “Safe Boot” in the corner of the login screen.

   • Try using the problematic shortcut in Safe Mode. If the error doesn’t appear, it suggests a third-party software or extension is causing the conflict.

   • To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your Mac normally without holding any keys.

8. Reset System Management Controller (SMC) and NVRAM: The SMC (System Management Controller) and NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) manage low-level hardware settings on your Mac. Resetting them can sometimes resolve issues related to keyboard functionality. Important Note: Resetting these settings might affect certain system behaviors, so proceed with caution and only if the previous steps haven’t resolved the error. Refer to Apple’s official documentation for detailed instructions on resetting SMC and NVRAM for your specific Mac model.

9. Create a New User Account: Corrupted user account settings can also contribute to various macOS issues, including keyboard shortcuts. Creating a new user account can help diagnose if the problem is specific to your current user profile. Here’s how to create a new user account:

   • Open System Preferences.

   • Go to Users & Groups.

   • Click the lock icon in the corner to unlock settings (enter your administrator password when prompted).

   • Click the “+” button to add a new user.

   • Choose whether to create a new administrator account or a standard user account.

   • Set a username and password for the new account.

   • Once created, log out of your current account and log in to the new one. Try using the problematic shortcut in the new user account. If the error doesn’t occur, it suggests an issue with your original user profile’s settings or preferences. You can then decide whether to migrate your data to the new user account or troubleshoot your original user profile further.

10. Contact Application Developer or Apple Support: If none of the above solutions work, it’s recommended to reach out to the developer of the application where the error occurs. They might have specific troubleshooting steps or known workarounds for this issue related to their software. Additionally, you can contact Apple Support for further assistance. They have access to advanced diagnostic tools and resources to pinpoint the root cause of the error and provide tailored solutions.

Additional Tips and Considerations

• Report the Bug: If you suspect a bug in macOS itself is causing the error, consider reporting it to Apple through the official bug reporting tool (https://developer.apple.com/bug-reporting/). This helps Apple identify and address issues in future macOS updates.
• Third-Party Keyboard Applications: If you rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts, consider using third-party utility applications that offer extensive customization options for keyboard shortcuts. These applications can help you manage complex shortcut setups and avoid conflicts. However, ensure you choose reputable and well-maintained applications to avoid introducing further complications.

By following these comprehensive troubleshooting steps, you should be well-equipped to identify and resolve the “errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=không thể tìm thấy phím tắt được chỉ định.&errorcode=4” error on your Mac. Remember, a systematic approach, starting with identifying the conflicting shortcut and progressing through various troubleshooting methods, will increase your chances of successfully resolving the issue and regaining control over your keyboard shortcuts.