CMD-TAB doesn't work properly

[macstatic]

I have a problem with switching between apps using the CMD-ALT keys. Since I have two Macs running the same OS (10.13.6) where it works fine on the mid-2012 Macbook Pro while it doesn't work as expected on my mid-2010 Mac Pro I can probably rule it out being an OS bug.

When I press that keyboard combination and select a certain app I'm supposed to immediately see that app's window, but instead it stays in the same place. So I have to click on the app's dock icon instead.
Have I misconfigured something or could there be some corrupted part of my setup somewhere?

 

[BrianBaughn]

A couple of things come to mind.

Are you running any window management or keyboard macro type applications on the affected Mac Pro?

If you create another User Account and log into it does the behavior remain?

 

[chabig]

When I press that keyboard combination and select a certain app I'm supposed to immediately see that app's window

It's not quite clear what you mean by immediate. You have to release the keys before it will switch.

 

[BrianBaughn]

It's not quite clear what you mean by immediate. You have to release the keys before it will switch.

I don't think he couldn't possibly click on a dock icon and reveal an app if he's still holding down command-tab.

 

[chabig]

I don't think he couldn't possibly click on a dock icon and reveal an app if he's still holding down command-tab.

Good point.

 

[macstatic]

Sorry about being unclear.
Yes, I do release the keys before switching.
I'm not clicking on the dock icon while still holding down CMD-TAB (I just wanted to illustrate that I can go to an app that way even though CMD-TAB won't do it).

I've tried it on another user account on the same Mac and it works there so it's apparently not a partly corrupted OS. Perhaps some related setup files or something?
I also realized that I am actually able to switch apps using CMD-TAB as long as they're within the same workspace, but not if they're in a different one. Is there a setting I might have accidently touched which causes this behaviour?

 

[chabig]

Have you installed any software for shortcuts or window management that intercepts keystrokes, such as Launchbar, Alfred, or the like? Check System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts and check to see if you’ve modified CMD-TAB. Try resetting defaults.

 

[macstatic]

Good suggestion, but none of those problems. However I believe I've located the source in another System preference. In the "Mission control" system preference I found out that "When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application" needs to be turned on (enabled) as shown in this screenshot.

If I have it switched off I can only switch between applications that belong to the same workspace using CMD-ALT.
So I'll be sure to have this turned on.

 

[IronStrikesIron]

I had this problem when I upgraded to OS Ventura. In my case, the OS forgot what kind of keyboard I use (non-Apple).

Going into the Keyboard prefs and choosing "change keyboard type" and going through the wizard fixed the problem.