How to Fix It When Copy and Paste Isn't Working in Windows 10/11

Copy and paste can stop working for a variety of reasons. Although it's annoying if you rely heavily on this functionality, you'll be pleased to know that it's usually not hard to fix. Below is a list of solutions we've confirmed will work when copy and paste is broken.

Why Isn't My Copy and Paste Working?

Copy and paste problems have popped up on the Windows operating system for decades, and they can happen at seemingly random times and without an apparent cause. Here are some of the more common reasons you can't copy or paste in Windows:

• Windows has an unresolved bug
• The software you're copying from or pasting to has a bug
• Multiple apps are trying to use the clipboard at the same time
• Malware has corrupted or disabled clipboard functionality
• The clipboard history is too large
• The mouse or keyboard is faulty
• System files are corrupt
  

How to Fix It When Copy and Paste Isn't Working in Windows 10/11

These copy/paste fixes are software-based. Work your way through the list from top to bottom to try the easier solutions first:

1. Restart the program that's having issues. Often, it's just one or two apps that can't copy and paste, and closing and reopening the software is usually the quickest fix.

2. Install any available Windows updates. Windows itself might be to blame when copy and paste is broken, so you should install any pending hotfixes before moving on to these other solutions.

   Sometimes Windows just doesn't work like we want it to. If an update isn't available, you might have to work around the problem. Some users have had luck "fixing" the copy function by forcing it: Hold Ctrl and then press C three to five times. Then, try to paste with Ctrl+V.

3. Uninstall apps that take over copy and paste functions, if you have any installed (you'll know if you do). One of the most common causes of this issue is an app that's interfering with the clipboard. If you struggle to remove them, try a dedicated app uninstaller to force them out.

4. Close all other applications. There might be a clipboard conflict happening if more than one app is trying to copy or paste. If you have to, use Task Manager to force-quit apps running in the background.

5. Clear the clipboard. Especially if you're seeing clipboard errors, clearing the clipboard history will often resolve those and get your copy and paste working again.

6. Restart Windows Explorer. It's easy to do: Open Task Manager, right-click Windows Explorer in the list of processes, then choose Restart.

   While this fix is more relevant for issues directly impacting Explorer, like when the taskbar is frozen or Windows Search isn't working, it's worth a shot here, too, depending on where you're trying to copy or paste.

7. Restart the computer. Rebooting is a typical fix-it step for Windows issues, so it's not unusual for copy and paste to work again immediately following a restart.

8. Scan for malware. Although unlikely, a virus can affect the clipboard.

   It's highly unlikely for a virus infection to break just the copy and paste functionality. If malware is behind this problem, it has probably broken more than just the clipboard. Be sure you're running a good antivirus program to help prevent this from happening in the future.

9. Repair corrupted Windows system files. Copy and paste is a core function that relies on certain system files to work properly. Repairing these files can reverse the problem.

10. Open an elevated Command Prompt and enter this command to scan for and repair common issues with your Windows image:

     DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    

11. Update your device drivers. Drivers are necessary for your keyboard and mouse to work properly.

12. Run System Restore. This tool can revert certain system files to a previous time. If you know when copy and paste stopped working, you can pick a restore point before that day.

13. Use Reset This PC to reinstall Windows. This is the easiest way to put Windows back to its default state, removing any clipboard-breaking software in the process.

    You'll have the option to keep or delete your files; either choice is fine. It's really just your software and Windows files that are to blame for clipboard issues, not your documents, videos, etc.