Copy and Paste Not Working in Windows 11? 10 Best Ways to Fix It

Copy and Paste not working can become a big problem for Windows users, especially when you want to work faster. If the copy and paste function is not working in your Windows 11, then there is nothing to worry about. Here we are telling the 10 most effective ways with the help of which you can easily fix this problem.

1. Check the keyboard shortcuts

Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V are the most common keyboard shortcuts in Windows, but sometimes this problem occurs due to the keyboard not working.

Make sure the keyboard is connected correctly.

Try another keyboard and see if the problem persists.

Try copying and pasting from the On-Screen Keyboard.

2. Restart the system

Sometimes a simple restart can solve the problem. In Windows 11, go to the Start Menu, and click Restart.

3. Enable Clipboard History

In Windows 11, turning on Clipboard History can sometimes solve this problem.

To enable Clipboard History:

1. Open Settings.

2. Go to System > Clipboard.

3. Turn the Clipboard history option On.

4. View the Clipboard History by pressing Windows + V.

4. Clear clipboard data

Old data stored in the clipboard can sometimes interfere with copy and paste.

Open cmd by pressing Windows + R.

This will completely clear the clipboard.

5. Restart Windows Explorer

Restarting Windows Explorer may fix this issue.

Steps:

1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

2. Go to the Processes tab.

3. Find Windows Explorer.

4. Click the Restart button.

6. Scan and check system files

If system files are corrupted, it may cause copy-paste issues.

Open the command prompt and type:

This process may take a few minutes.

If any files are corrupted, Windows will repair them automatically.

7. Copy-paste with right-click

Sometimes keyboard shortcuts don’t work, but right-click > Copy and right-click > Paste work.

8. Update applications and drivers

Outdated drivers or applications sometimes cause this problem.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.

2. Click on Check for updates.

3. Install all updates and restart the system.

9. Use Windows PowerShell

Sometimes the problem gets solved with PowerShell.

Open PowerShell and type:

If no data appears, clear the clipboard and check again.

10. Create a new user profile

Sometimes the current user profile causes the problem.

To create a new user:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts.

2. Click on Family & other users.

3. Click on Add account and create a new user.

4. Login with the new user and see if copy-paste is working.

Conclusion:

Solving the copy-paste not working problem in Windows 11 is not complicated. All the 10 methods above will help fix the problem easily. If this problem persists, it is best to contact Windows Support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about copy and paste not working in Windows 11

1. Why is copy and paste not working?

The most common reason for copy and paste not working can be keyboard malfunction, system bug, or clipboard data corruption. Also, a lack of software updates or viruses/malware can cause this problem.

2. Can copy-paste be done without keyboard shortcuts?

Yes, you can use the right-click > Copy/Paste option. Also, you can paste from the clipboard history by pressing Windows + V.

3. How to enable clipboard history in Windows 11?

1. Go to Settings > System > Clipboard.

2. Turn the Clipboard history option On.

3. You can now view the clipboard data by pressing Windows + V.

4. How to clear the clipboard?

Open Command Prompt.

Type: `echo off | clip`

This command clears the clipboard completely.

5. If copy-paste is not working, which shortcut can help?

Sometimes this problem is solved by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc opening Task Manager and restarting Windows Explorer.

6. Can Windows Update solve the copy-paste problem?

Yes, sometimes Windows Updates fix software bugs.

Keep your system updated by clicking Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.

7. Is there a clipboard data limit?

Yes, Windows 11 stores a limited amount of data in the clipboard. With Windows + V you can view up to 25 items.

8. How to check system files?

Open Command Prompt and type:

This command scans and repairs corrupted system files.

9. Can copy-paste problems be hardware-related?

In very rare cases, copy-paste does not work if the keyboard or USB port is damaged. Try a different keyboard or update the keyboard driver.

10. Can a virus affect the copy-paste function?

Yes, viruses and malware can sometimes interfere with basic system functions.