Shortcuts not working or misfiring

Fix keyboard shortcuts that do not trigger, start the wrong mode, or keep firing after you change them. Start with the checks below.

The shortcut triggers the wrong mode

Superwhisper has two kinds of shortcuts, and mixing them up is the most common cause:

• Global shortcuts (Settings → Configuration): Toggle Recording, Push to Talk, Cancel Recording, and Change mode. Recording shortcuts use whatever mode is active.
• Per-mode shortcuts: each mode has its own Keyboard shortcut field in the mode editor that starts a recording in that specific mode.

A per-mode shortcut switches to that mode and then starts recording. If a key starts the wrong mode, check whether the same key is assigned in both places, and give each shortcut its own key.

Nothing happens when I press the shortcut

1. Another app owns the key: global shortcuts lose to system and app shortcuts. Test an uncommon combination to confirm, then pick a key no other app uses.
2. Check the recording window setting: if the recording window is set to None, recording still works but shows nothing on screen. Dictate a line and check History.
3. Single modifier keys: Modifier keys such as Command or Fn can work on their own as shortcuts, but some keyboards send Fn to the system instead of apps. Test with a regular combination.
4. Reset the shortcut: clear it and record it again in Settings → Configuration
5. Quit and reopen Superwhisper, then test again
6. Check for conflicts: open System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts and look for the same key combination
7. Still stuck: email [e-mail] with your app version and the key you use

The old shortcut still fires after I changed it

Reassign the shortcut in Settings → Configuration, then quit and reopen Superwhisper. Also check System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts for the old key. If the old binding still fires, email [e-mail] with your app version and the stuck key.

Push to talk behavior

• Shared key: Push to Talk can share a key with Toggle Recording. Press and hold to record push-to-talk style; tap to toggle.
• Mouse buttons: with Mouse shortcut, a quick click toggles, and press-and-hold acts as push-to-talk. Some mice can’t detect sustained holds; if hold-to-record releases at random, use a keyboard key instead.