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

[8 Ways] How to Fix Copy and Paste Not Working in Windows 10

By Achilles Hill | Last Updated

"My copy and paste is not working in Windows 10. I have tried quite a few methods suggested by people on the internet, but no one helps. What can I do to fix the copy paste problem in Windows 10? Any help?"

Copy and paste is one of the most fundamental functions in Windows 10. This feature is frequently used especially when we are working with our computer as it provides a lot of convenience to us. But due to some reasons, sometimes the feature of copy and paste is not working normally and properly as usual. Well, it doesn't matter. In this post, you will learn How to Fix Copy and Paste Not Working in Windows 10 with 8 ways.

Outlines:

  1. Way 1: Check Your Windows for Updates
  2. Way 2: Restart the Process of rdpclip.exe
  3. Way 3: Clean Up Your Clipboard History
  4. Way 4: Run SFC (System Files Checker)
  5. Way 5: Troubleshoot Hardware and Devices
  6. Way 6: Check for Viruses and Malware
  7. Way 7: Attempt to Update Your Hard Driver
  8. Way 8: Recover Your PC Using System Restore

copy and paste not working in windows 10

Way 1: Check Your Windows for Updates

Getting the latest updates for your Windows can keep your device running smoothly, normally and securely. If you are facing the issue of copy and paste not working in Windows 10, the reason may be that you are running a version of Windows out of date. In this case, you can check your Windows for updates manually to see if that helps.

Step 1. Open Settings and select Update & Security.

Step 2. Under the section of Windows Update, click the button of Check for updates to go on. Then your Windows will check whether there are available updates for your computer.

click check for updates

If no updates are available, you will be noticed you're up to date. If you are prompted updates available, Windows will download and install the latest updates automatically.

download and install the latest updates

Step 3. Restart your computer to see if the function of copy and paste is back to use or not. If not, try next way to fix it.

Way 2: Restart the Process of rdpclip.exe

Copy and Paste is not working by any means? Some people claim that it is caused by the rdpclicp.exe process. Maybe you can try ending this process and then restarting it in order to fix this problem. This operation can be done in Task Manager.

Step 1. Access to Task Manager in your computer.

Step 2. In the Details tab, right-click the rdpclip.exe process and then choose End task from the menu. Then click the button of End process to confirm.

end the task of rdpclip exe

Step 3. Click the File tab > Run new task, type rdpclip.exe in the blank, and then click the OK button to restart the rdpclicp.exe process.

restart the process of rdpclip exe

Or you can go to the tab of Processes, right click the option of Windows Explorer, and then click Restart to see if it makes the problem go away.

restart the process of windows explorer

Way 3: Clean Up Your Clipboard History

You can attempt to clear your clipboard history in order to fix the issue of copy and paste not working in Windows 10. Many people have tried this method and claim it is very effective. You can refer to this article to learn how to clear clipboard in Windows 10. 4 methods to clear clipboard are introduced in this article and you can pick one of them according to your preference. After you have cleaned up the clipboard data, you can check whether the function of copy and paste in Windows 10 is back to work or not.

Way 4: Run SFC (System Files Checker)

The error of copy and paste not working in Windows 10 may also be caused by system file corruption. You can run the utility of System Files Checker in your computer to scan for and restore corrupt Windows system files. This may help you fix copy paste problem in Windows 10.

Step 1. Type cmd in the Windows search box, right click on the corresponding result and then select Run as administrator. You must be an administrator running a console session in order to use the SFC utility.

Step 2. Type the command of sfc /scannow in the command prompt window and then hit the key of Enter in order to run it.

run system files checker

Step 3. The process will run for a while, so please wait for it to complete patiently. If any corruptions are found, replace them on restart.

Way 5: Troubleshoot Hardware and Devices

You can make use of Windows built-in hardware and devices troubleshooter to troubleshoot this issue. It will help you find and fix problems with devices and hardware.

Step 1. Launch Settings, choose Updates and Security, and then click Troubleshoot on the sidebar.

Step 2. Click Run the troubleshooterunder the part of the Hardware and Devices to continue. And follow the on-screen instructions to finish this process.

run hardware and devices troubleshooter

Way 6: Check for Viruses and Malware

Your computer may be infected with a virus or other malware which causes the malfunction of the function of copy and paste. You can run a virus scan to check for malware (malicious software), viruses, and security threats with Windows Security.

Step 1. Open Settings, choose Update & Security, and then go to Windows Security on the left sidebar.

Step 2. Under the section of Protection areas, click Virus & threat protection.

click virus and threat protection

Step 3. Under Current threats, click Scan options to continue (or in previous versions of Windows 10, under Threat history, select Run a new advanced scan).

click scan options

Step 4. Select one of the scan options and then click Scan now.

choose one scan option and click scan now

Note: Quick scan checks folders in your system where threats are commonly found; Full scan checks all files and running programs on your hard disk; Custom scan aims at scanning specific files or folders; Windows Defender Offline scan can be run if your device has been, or could potentially be, infected by a virus or malware).

Way 7: Attempt to Update Your Hard Driver

If there is something wrong with your device driver, it may result in the malfunction of the copy and paste function. Therefore, you can update your hard driver. Maybe it is helpful to fix the problem. You can execute this operation via Device Manager.

Step 1. Open Device Manager in your computer.

Step 2. Double click to expand the section with the device you want to update.

Step 3. Right click on the device and choose Update driver. Finish your operation as per the on-screen tips.

update your hard driver

Way 8: Recover Your PC Using System Restore

If the issue of copy and paste not working in Windows 10 is resulted from an update or a certain app you installed recently in your computer, you can perform a system restore to revert your computer back to a restore point when the function of copy and paste works normally and properly. Of course the premise is that you have already enabled System Restore on Windows 10 in advance. Then you can recover your computer using System Restore back to an earlier point when the copy and paste function worked normally.

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