# Control shift 4 in a MacBook **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 1, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-shift-4-in-a-macbook/537925 "2010-05-01T00:14:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-shift-4-in-a-macbook/537925/1 "2010-05-01T00:14:46Z")
Which is used for taking screen shots. Suddenly not working on my computer! Anyone know why, or failing that, what else I can use? Control-shift-3 isn’t working either. ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-shift-4-in-a-macbook/537925/2 "2010-05-01T00:16:48Z")
Do you mean Command-shift-3/4? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-shift-4-in-a-macbook/537925/3 "2010-05-01T00:17:02Z")
It’s cmd-shift 3 and 4 ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-shift-4-in-a-macbook/537925/4 "2010-05-01T00:23:25Z")
> [@Cleophus](#): > > Do you mean Command-shift-3/4? Yes. Sigh, I’m a duh. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-shift-4-in-a-macbook/537925/5 "2010-05-01T00:29:55Z")
System prefs : Keyboard Check to see that cmd 3 is enabled as a shortcut. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-shift-4-in-a-macbook/537925/6 "2010-05-01T00:39:37Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > System prefs : Keyboard > > Check to see that cmd 3 is enabled as a shortcut. Yes, both 3 & 4 are enabled - it’s been working for years until just now and I don’t think I touched anything… ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-shift-4-in-a-macbook/537925/7 "2010-05-01T00:46:50Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Yes, both 3 & 4 are enabled - it’s been working for years until just now and I don’t think I touched anything… Try turning them off, quitting system prefs, then opening prefs and turning them on again. Some App you downloaded may have messed with the key binding since last you took screenshots, and toggling the state may fix it back up for you. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2010, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-shift-4-in-a-macbook/537925/8 "2010-05-01T02:08:32Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Try turning them off, quitting system prefs, then opening prefs and turning them on again. > Some App you downloaded may have messed with the key binding since last you took screenshots, and toggling the state may fix it back up for you. I managed to get it to work again, but now I’ve messed up my email! Looks like it’s time for the computer to go visit the Mac Guys when I get home… ☹