How to Fix Copy and Paste Not Working in Windows 10

Copy and paste is one of the most often used features on any computing platform. As convenient as it is, no one wants to deal with copy and paste not working in Windows 10. Usually, simply using Ctrl + C to copy and Ctrl + V to paste is all you need to do. Alternatively, you can right-click with your mouse, using the menu to copy and paste. But when those functions don’t work, it’s frustrating. It’s time to fix copy-paste to get back to normal.

Also read:5 of the Best Windows File Explorer Alternatives

Diagnose your Keyboard

If copy and paste not working is a sudden issue, one of several quick fixes may be all you need. If you’re trying to use the copy-paste keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V), test out all those buttons in different contexts first. So to test “C” and “V”, open your browser or word processor, and see if the letters appear when you type them in.

Testing Ctrl is a bit trickier as it doesn’t have a visible output on your screen. A good way to test it is to open a document with writing in it or a website with writing on it, then press Ctrl + A to see if it selects everything in the window (usually highlighting it blue).

If any of the above buttons don’t work, then try using a different keyboard. If they work on a different keyboard, then the issue is with the original keyboard. Hopefully it’s a software issue that can be fixed with one of the following methods:

• Unplug and plug the keyboard back in again (obvious, sure, but first port of call always).
• Go to Device Manager -> Keyboards, then right-click your keyboard driver and click “Update driver,” following the instructions.
• That failing, right-click your keyboard in Device Manager and click “Uninstall device”. It will reinstall automatically when you unplug and plug it back in again.
• Many keyboards have driver packages, which can update your keyboard drivers and even firmware. There’s Logitech Options, for Logitech keyboards, and Razer has a page full of drivers and packages for their keyboards. Find the relevant page for your keyboard brand, and get as up to date as you can there.

if these options don’t work, then it could be a hardware issue, but don’t lose hope yet, because we have a bunch more fixes for you! Read on…

Also read:How to Copy and Paste on Sites that Won’t Let You

How to Fix Copy and Paste Not Working Issue

When you can’t copy and paste, it might feel like you’ve lost a critical functionality, especially if you rely on it for increased productivity. There are a variety of causes, and finding the right one means taking the solutions one by one until you’ve restored full copy paste functionality. The most common solutions include:

1. Update Windows
2. Disable antivirus software (only temporarily)
3. Run Check Disk utility
4. Try rdpclip.exe
5. Go back in time with System Restore
6. Scan for corrupt files
7. Set up a new user profile
8. Disable MS Office Send to Bluetooth add-on
9. Disable shared clipboard in virtual machine

1. Update Windows

Certain system glitches can result in copy paste not working. You can fix it by updating Windows, as Microsoft constantly adds new updates that come with critical patches. To do this:

1. Click Start and select “Settings -> Update & Security.”
2. Click “Check for updates.” Windows will check for available updates and download and install them once you restart your computer.

Also read:How to Stay Safe in Windows 10 without Using an Antivirus

2. Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software

A good antivirus software is critical to your computer’s security, but sometimes it causes conflicts with the system and may lead to copy and paste not working. To resolve this, disable some features of your antivirus temporarily, but if it doesn’t help, disable it entirely.

If it does help, consider changing your antivirus software. There are many options available that won’t interfere with your system yet still offer great protection.

If you’ve been using the same antivirus for a while, it’s likely not the cause.

3. Run Check Disk Utility

Corrupt programs or system files can lead to copy-paste not working in Windows 10. A chkdsk scan can help resolve copy and paste issues. To do this:

1. Open File Explorer and select “This PC.”

2. Right-click your hard drive and select “Properties.”

3. Go to the “Tools” tab and click “Check” under “Error checking.”

Alternatively, you can run Check Disk from the Command Prompt. To do this:

1. Right-click Start and choose Run.

2. Type cmd and click OK.

3. Enter the following command at the prompt:

chkdsk X: /f

Replace X with the letter representing your system drive – usually C by default.

If you get an access denied error, close the Command Prompt window. Open Start, type cmd, and select “Run as administrator” under Command Prompt.

4. When asked to schedule a scan, press “Y.”

5. Restart your computer and check whether the problem is gone.

4. Run rdpclip.exe

In order to fix copy and paste not working, you may need to end the rdpclicp.exe process and restart it. The RDP Clip process controls copy-paste function between the local PC and the remote desktop. If something’s not working right with the process, you can’t copy and paste on the local machine, only a remote desktop. Restarting it helps solve the problem. To do this:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + ESC to start Task Manager.
2. Go to the “Details” tab.

3. Right-click the “rdpclip.exe” process.
4. Select “End task.”
5. Go to the Windows/system32 folder.
6. Look for “rdpclip.exe” and run it.

5. System Restore

If an update or app you installed recently is causing copy-paste not working issues, you can restore Windows back to a restore point. While a System Restore won’t change your personal files, it may remove recently installed drivers, updates, and apps.

It restores your computer back to an earlier point in time when the copy-paste function worked normally. Restore points are generated whenever you install new drivers, apps, or Windows updates, or when you create them manually.

To perform a system restore, follow the steps below:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. In the search box, type “Recovery” and press Enter.
3. Select “Recovery.”

4. Select “Open System Restore -> Next.”

5. Choose the restore point related to the problem driver, app or update.
6. Select “Next -> Finish.”

Note: if there aren’t any restore points, the system protection might be turned off. To enable it (turn it on), take these steps:

1. Open Control Panel and search for “Recovery.”
2. Select “Recovery -> Configure System Restore -> Configure.”
3. Select “Turn on system protection” box.

6. Scan for Corrupt System Files

Corrupted system files wreak havoc with how Windows 10 works. Another way to fix copy and paste not working in Windows 10 is to run two built-in Windows utilities: System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). Start with SFC, and if that doesn’t help, then run DISM. You’ll need to use a command prompt or PowerShell for both.

Use this SFC guide to learn how to use the tool and understand what the results mean. This guide on both SFC and DISM shows you exactly how to use both commands.

7. Set Up a New User Profile

Corrupted user profiles may cause copy and paste not working frustrations. You can set up a new user profile and see if it helps. To set up a new user profile, do the following:

1. Click Start and select Settings.
2. Select Accounts.

3. Click “Family & Other people.”

4. Click “Add someone else to this PC.”

5. Type a user name, password, and password hint.
6. Select Next.

If the problem persists with the new user profile, try the next solution.

8. Disable Send to Bluetooth Add-on

This add-on is associated with Microsoft Office and can be found under Add-ons in Office software. Check every installed tool for this add-on and disable it in each Office tool.

9. Disable Shared Clipboard in Virtualbox

Virtualbox helps you run a virtual machine on your computer, but some of its features may interfere with the system, such as the shared clipboard. To fix the problem, disable this feature and try the copy-and-paste function again.

Wrapping Up

Now that you have copy and paste working again in Windows, learn how you can cut, copy and paste text in PDF files or even copy and paste in the command prompt.