How to Fix Copy and Paste Not Working in Windows 11 and 10

When copy and paste stops working, the problem is usually in one app, in the clipboard itself, or in a background program that's interfering. Start with the quick checks below and work down the list. Each section covers Windows 11 first, with Windows 10 differences where they matter.

1. Check the Shortcuts and Test in Another App

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First work out whether copy and paste is broken everywhere, or only in one app.

1. Select some text and press Ctrl + C to copy it (or Ctrl + X to cut it).
2. Open Notepad and press Ctrl + V to paste.
3. If the shortcut doesn't work, try right-clicking and choosing Copy and Paste instead.

If pasting works in Notepad but not in one particular app, the problem is in that app: close it, open it again and check it for updates.

Expected result: you know whether the problem is in one app or across Windows.

2. Check Clipboard History

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Clipboard history shows what Windows actually copied, so you can tell whether the copy or the paste is failing.

1. Press Windows logo key + V.
2. If clipboard history is off, select Turn on. It isn't on by default.
3. Copy something again and press Windows logo key + V. Select an item in the list to paste it.

Clipboard history has limits: each item can be up to 4 MB, it supports text, HTML and bitmap images, and it keeps the last 25 items. Larger items or other formats won't appear in the list.

Expected result: what you just copied is at the top of the list. If it is, copying works and the problem is with pasting in your app.

3. Clear the Clipboard

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1. Select Start > Settings > System > Clipboard.
2. Under Clear clipboard data, select Clear.

You can also press Windows logo key + V and select Clear all at the top. In Windows 10, select the … icon first, then Clear all. Pinned items are kept either way.

Expected result: the clipboard history list is empty apart from pinned items. Copy and paste something new to test it.

4. Close Your Apps and Restart

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1. Save your work and close the apps you were copying between.
2. If an app has stopped responding, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select the app and choose End task.
3. Select Start > Power > Restart.

Restarting also clears clipboard history, except for pinned items.

Expected result: after the restart, copy and paste works in the apps you reopen.

5. Install Windows Updates

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1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
2. Select Check for updates and install anything available, then restart if asked.

Windows 10: select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Expected result: Windows Update shows you're up to date.

6. Find a Conflicting Program With a Clean Boot

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A clean boot starts Windows with only essential drivers and startup programs. If copy and paste works in a clean boot, a background program is likely to blame. You need to be signed in as an administrator.

1. Search for msconfig and select System Configuration.
2. On the Services tab, select Hide all Microsoft services, then Disable all and Apply.
3. On the Startup tab, select Open Task Manager. Disable each enabled startup item and write down which ones you turned off.
4. Close Task Manager, select OK in System Configuration and restart.
5. Test copy and paste. If it works, turn services and startup items back on a few at a time, restarting each time, until the problem returns. The last ones you turned on include the culprit.

To go back to normal: in System Configuration, select Normal Startup on the General tab. On the Services tab, clear Hide all Microsoft services, select Enable all, then turn your startup items back on in Task Manager and restart.

Expected result: you find the program that breaks copy and paste, and can update, reconfigure or uninstall it.

7. Repair Windows System Files

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If copy and paste still fails everywhere, check Windows for damaged system files.

1. Install the latest updates and restart (section 5).
2. Search for command prompt, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator, then select Yes.
3. Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press Enter. It can take a few minutes.
4. When it finishes, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
5. When you see Verification 100% complete, type exit and restart your PC.

For more detail, see our guide to repairing system files with System File Checker.

Expected result: the scan finishes, and copy and paste works after the restart.

Copying Between Two PCs?

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To paste text you copied on another Windows PC, turn on clipboard sync. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Clipboard and set Clipboard history across your devices to On. In Windows 10, set the toggle under Sync across devices to On. Sync is tied to your Microsoft account or work account, so sign in with the same account on both PCs.