How to Fix Copy and Paste Not Working in Windows

The copy-and-paste feature is one of the most often used on any computing platform. As convenient as it is, no one wants to deal with copy and paste not working in Windows. Usually, simple keyboard shortcuts or the right-click menu is all you need. But when those functions don’t work, it’s time to troubleshoot.

Simple Ways to Fix Copy and Paste Not Working

Before diving into more complex solutions, try these simple fixes first:

• Scan for viruses. They make your system do some crazy, weird things sometimes. If you don’t have an antivirus, use the built-in Windows Defender, or try the Microsoft Safety Scanner.
• If you’re using a new antivirus, disable it, and try to copy and paste again. If it works, your antivirus might be interfering. Try another antivirus to see whether this solves the problem.
• Restart your computer. Something could just be hung up.
• Test copy and paste in another program. Some apps and software don’t support copy and paste. If it doesn’t work in just a single app, then it’s the app and not the copy-and-paste function.
• Close all open programs. If nothing’s running, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Close any non-essential apps that are still running.
• If you recently installed a new app or software, uninstall it to see whether it fixes the problem.
• Update device drivers. Download these directly from the device manufacturer. Alternatively, press Win + X, select Device Manager, right-click the device you want to update, and select Update driver. You may need to restart your PC when finished.
• Disable Shared Clipboard in VirtualBox if you’re using VirtualBox to run virtual machines on your PC.

1. 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 them in different contexts first. To test C and V, open your browser or word processor and see whether 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 or website with text, then press Ctrl + A to see if it selects everything in the window (usually highlighting it in blue).

If any of the keys don’t work, try using a different keyboard. If they work on a different keyboard, the issue is obviously 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.
• Go to Device Manager -> Keyboards, then right-click your keyboard driver, click Update driver, and follow the instructions.
• If that fails, 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 that can update your keyboard drivers and even firmware. Logitech Options is available 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 update via the latest drivers.

Good to know: need to quickly disable your keyboard? Try these options.

2. Update Windows

Certain system glitches can result in copy-paste not working. Try fixing it by updating Windows, as Microsoft constantly adds new updates that come with critical patches.

Go to Start -> Settings -> Windows Update. If you’re using Windows 10, go to Update & Security within Settings.

Click Check for updates. Windows checks for available updates, and downloads and installs them once you restart your computer.

3. Run Check Disk Utility

Corrupt programs or system files can lead to copy and paste not working in Windows. A chkdsk scan can help resolve copy and paste issues.

Open File Explorer, and select This PC. Right-click your main hard drive, and select Properties.

Click the Tools tab, then click Check under Error checking.

Alternatively, run chkdsk from the Command Prompt. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press OK.

Enter the following command at the prompt:

chkdsk X: /f

Note: replace “X” with the letter representing your system drive – usually it’s “C” by default.

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

When asked to schedule a scan, press Y.

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

4. Run rdpclip.exe

The RDP Clip process controls copy-paste function between the local PC and a remote desktop. If something’s not working right with the process, you can’t copy and paste on the local machine – only the remote desktop. Restarting it helps solve the problem.

Press Ctrl + Shift + ESC to start Task Manager. Go to the Details tab, right-click the rdpclip.exe process, and select End task.

To restart it, open File Explorer, and navigate to Windows -> System32. Look for rdpclip.exe and run it.

5. System Restore

If an update or app you installed recently is causing copy and 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. If System Restore is not working correctly for any reason, try these troubleshooting steps.

Open the Start menu, and search for control panel. Open the result, then the Recovery option. If you don’t see it, use the search box to look for it. Choose Open System Restore.

Tap Next in the pop-up that appears. Choose the restore point related to the problem driver, app or update. 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:

Open Control Panel, and go to Recovery. Select Configure System Restore -> Configure.

Select Turn on system protection.

6. Scan for Corrupt System Files

Corrupted system files wreak havoc with how Windows works. Another way to fix copy and paste not working in Windows 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, run DISM. Command Prompt or PowerShell need to be used on both.

Press Win + X, and select Windows Terminal (Admin). From Terminal, PowerShell is the default, but you can also choose Command Prompt. In Windows 10, select either PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin), depending on your version.

Enter the following at the prompt:

sfc /scannow

If that doesn’t fix the problem, or there are still corrupt files left over, it’s time to employ DISM. Enter the following at the next prompt:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

DISM may take a little while to run and may seem to freeze in places, but be patient. The tool is scanning and fixing files, so it pauses at certain percentages as it repairs issues.

7. Set Up a New User Profile

Corrupted user profiles may cause frustrations with copy and paste not working. You can set up a new user profile and see if it helps.

Go to Start -> Settings -> Accounts.

Scroll down to Other Users. This may also be called Family & other users or Family & Other people, depending on your version of Windows.

Click Add account beside Other users. Type a user name, password, and password hint. 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-Ins” (also called “Add-ons” in some versions) in Office software. Check every installed tool for this add-on, and disable it in each Office tool.

Newer versions of Microsoft Office may not have this add-in. However, you can check by doing the following: (The exact steps will vary based on your version of Office.)

Open any Office document. We’re using Word as an example. Open the Insert menu, and select Add-ins.

If you see the Send to Bluetooth add-in, open the Options (three dots beside the add-in name) menu. Select Disable or Remove, depending on your version of Office.

9. Run Keyboard Troubleshooter

Even if you’ve already tried updating keyboard drivers, running the Windows keyboard troubleshooter may still fix the issues with copy and paste not working. Windows includes a variety of troubleshooting tools to scan for issues with various devices and settings. Run the keyboard troubleshooter by doing the following:

Go to Start -> Settings -> System -> Troubleshoot -> Other troubleshooters -> Keyboard. If you don’t see the Keyboard option, use the search box under your account name to search for keyboard troubleshooter. Select Run and follow the prompts.

If you’re using Windows 10, the steps are a little different. Go to Start -> Settings -> Update & security -> Troubleshoot -> Additional troubleshooters -> Keyboard -> Run the troubleshooter.

10. Restart Windows Explorer

Occasionally, the Windows Explorer task freezes. This causes a host of issues, including problems with copy and paste and Windows Search not working.

Press Win + X and select Task Manager. Scroll down until you find Windows Explorer. Right-click it, and select Restart. Your taskbar will temporarily disappear, then reappear once the service restarts.

Now that copy and paste is working again, try out these Windows Search alternatives for faster searching. Or, if you’re having trouble with your taskbar, discover how to fix it.

Image credit: Flickr. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder.

Crystal Crowder - Staff Writer

Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.