errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=could not find the specified shortcut.&errorcode=4

Have you ever seen a strange error on your Mac or iPhone that says:
“errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=could not find the specified shortcut.&errorcode=4”?

If yes, don’t worry — you’re not alone. Many users come across this message and feel confused or even frustrated. It looks scary at first, but the truth is, it’s not that serious.

In this article, we’re going to talk about everything you need to know about this error. You’ll learn what it means, why it happens, and how you can fix it easily, step by step. You’ll also learn how to stop it from coming back.

Let’s begin by breaking down what this message really means.

What This Shortcut Error Really Means

Let’s take a closer look at the message:
errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=could not find the specified shortcut.&errorcode=4

It might look technical, but it’s actually simple when you break it into parts.

• errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain just means that the error is happening inside Apple’s Cocoa system. This is the part of macOS and iOS that helps apps run.

• errormessage=could not find the specified shortcut means that something (an app or system process) is trying to use a shortcut, but that shortcut is missing.

• errorcode=4 tells us exactly what the problem is — in this case, it means the file or shortcut cannot be found. It’s called a “file not found” error.

So in plain English, this message just says:
“The shortcut you’re trying to use isn’t there anymore.”

Why Does This Error Happen?

Now that we know what the error means, let’s talk about why it shows up.

There are a few common reasons:

• The shortcut file or action might have been deleted or moved.

• You may have renamed the shortcut without realizing it.

• The app that uses the shortcut might be broken or not updated.

• Sometimes, macOS updates can change system paths or remove old shortcuts.

• The permissions might be wrong, meaning the app or system can’t access the shortcut even if it’s there.

Let’s say you made a shortcut that opens a folder with one click. If you later move that folder or delete it, your Mac won’t know where to find it anymore. That’s when you’ll see this error.

Is This Error Dangerous or Just Annoying?

This is a very common question.

The good news is: it’s not dangerous.
This error won’t damage your files or your Mac. But it can stop things from working properly.

For example, if you use a shortcut to launch an app, and that shortcut breaks, you won’t be able to use it until it’s fixed. Some users also see this message when running automation tools or opening old files.

It’s annoying, but not harmful. The goal is to find out what shortcut is missing and then either fix it or remove it.

First Step: Check Your Shortcut Setup

Before doing anything big, the first step is to check the shortcut that’s causing trouble.

Ask yourself:

• Which app or action was I trying to use?

• Is that shortcut still where it used to be?

• Did I delete or move anything recently?

Now try this:

• Open the app that uses the shortcut.

• Go into its settings or preferences.

• Look for a “Shortcuts” or “Keyboard” tab.

Make sure the shortcut path or action listed there still makes sense. If it’s pointing to a file that’s been moved or deleted, you’ll need to update the path or create the shortcut again.

Check for Conflicts With Other Shortcuts

Sometimes this error happens not because something is missing — but because two shortcuts are fighting each other.

Here’s how you can check:

1. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.

2. Look through each category (like App Shortcuts, Mission Control, etc.).

3. See if the shortcut you’re trying to use is also used for something else.

If you find a match, disable the extra one or change your shortcut to something unique.

This can solve the problem instantly, especially if the shortcut works in one app but not another.

Try Restarting the App or Your Device

You’ve probably heard it before, but yes — restarting really works.

Here’s why:
Sometimes the app or system gets stuck trying to use an old shortcut, and a fresh start clears it up.

Steps to try:

• Quit the app completely (right-click the app icon and select “Quit”).

• Open it again and try using the shortcut.

• If that doesn’t help, restart your Mac or iPhone.

This only takes a few minutes and can fix small glitches that lead to this error.

Update Your Apps and macOS

If your system or app is outdated, it might be trying to use old shortcuts or paths that no longer exist in the newer versions of macOS.

Here’s what to do:

• Go to the App Store and check if the app causing the error has an update.

• Then click on the Apple icon > System Settings > General > Software Update

• If you see an update for macOS, install it.

Example:
Let’s say you’re running macOS Monterey, but the shortcut was made using an app that’s only tested on macOS Ventura. That mismatch can cause errors.

Tip: You can also turn on “Automatically keep my Mac up to date” so you never fall behind.

Reset the App’s Preferences

Sometimes, apps store old settings that can cause problems. These settings are saved in small files called “.plist” files. If one of these files is broken, your shortcut might not work, and you’ll see the errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=could not find the specified shortcut.&errorcode=4 message.

Here’s how you can reset those settings:

1. Open Finder and click Go from the top menu.

2. Choose Go to Folder and type this:
   ~/Library/Preferences

3. Press Enter, and you’ll see many small files.

Look for a file that matches the app causing the error. It usually looks like this:
com.appname.plist

Now, move that file to the Trash. Don’t worry — the app will make a new one the next time it opens.

After that, open the app again and try the shortcut. This often gives the app a “fresh start” and clears any issues.

Reinstall the App From Scratch

If resetting preferences doesn’t help, it may be time to reinstall the app. Sometimes apps get broken during updates or when files go missing.

Here’s what to do:

• Open Launchpad or go to your Applications folder.

• Find the app causing the error.

• Press and hold the Option key until apps start jiggling.

• Click the X on the app to delete it, or move it to the Trash.

• Then go to the App Store or the app’s official website and download it again.

Once reinstalled, open the app and check the shortcut. A clean install often removes hidden bugs and fixes the “could not find the specified shortcut” error right away.

Restore Deleted or Missing Shortcut Files

Did you accidentally delete a file that your shortcut needs?

That’s one of the most common reasons for this error. But don’t panic — there’s still a chance to bring it back.

Here’s how:

• Use a trusted recovery tool like EaseUS Data Recovery or Recuva.

• Open the tool, and scan your system for deleted files.

• If the tool finds your missing shortcut, select it and click Recover.

Imagine you had a shortcut that opened a photo folder. If you deleted that folder, your Mac would show the error. But once you bring that folder back, the shortcut should work again.

Use System Restore or Recovery Mode

If nothing else works, you can use macOS Recovery to restore your system to a better state.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R as it starts up.

2. You’ll enter macOS Recovery mode.

3. From here, choose Reinstall macOS.

Don’t worry — this won’t delete your files. It just installs a fresh version of the system.

You can also choose Disk Utility if you want to erase and start fresh. But only do that if you’ve backed up your important files.

This fix is great if the errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=could not find the specified shortcut.&errorcode=4 keeps coming back again and again.

How to Stop This Error From Coming Back

Fixing the error is great, but preventing it is even better.

Here are some easy tips to avoid this shortcut problem in the future:

• Update your apps and macOS often.

• Use antivirus tools to keep your system clean.

• Don’t delete files that your shortcuts need.

• Keep your shortcuts simple, so they don’t break easily.

• Back up your shortcuts or notes with their paths, so you can recreate them if needed.

Also, every few weeks, take a moment to test your most-used shortcuts. If one stops working, you can fix it early before it turns into a big problem.

Bottom-Line

The error message
errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=could not find the specified shortcut.&errorcode=4
might look scary, but it’s usually easy to fix.

Most of the time, it’s just a missing file, a broken path, or an app that needs a refresh. With the steps you’ve learned in this article, you can fix the problem yourself — even if you’re not a tech expert.

Just take your time, try each method one by one, and your shortcuts should be back in no time.

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