Copy-paste is the most basic function in a computer. If it stops working, working on the computer would become difficult.
Understanding the issue
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Here’s how the copy paste-function works. Whenever we copy a text or an image, it is saved on a virtual clipboard that we cannot see. When we paste it, it is pasted from the clipboard. All this is managed through a few services and if the copy-paste function does not work, we could focus on those services to fix the issue.
Try the following workarounds step by step to fix the problem:
Solution 1 – Using System 32 Folder
1. Go to file explorer.
2. Go to C:\Windows\System32
3. Now, search rdpclip in the search bar.
4. Right Click on rdpclip.exe and Choose Run as Administrator.
5. Similarly, search dwm.exe in the search bar.
6. Now, Right Click on dwm and Choose Run as Administrator.
7. Restart Your Computer .
If it does not solve your Probolem, Move on to the next method.
Solution 2] Reset the rdpclip.exe process
The copy-paste function is managed by the rdpclip.exe process. This process might get stale with time, thus we would have to reset it.
1] Press CTRL+ALT+DEL and select Task Manager from among the options.
2] In the processes tab, check for the rdpclip.exe service.
3] Right-click and click on End process.
4] Now close Task manager and open it again.
5] Go to File >> Run new task.
6] Type rdpclip.exe in the dialogue box and press Enter. It will re-initiate the process.
7] Restart the system.
Through Command Prompt
1] Press Win + R to open the Run window. Type the command cmd and hit Enter to open the Command Prompt window.
2] Type the following command in the Command Prompt window and press Enter:
taskkill.exe /F /IM rdpclip.exe
This command ends the rdpclip.exe task.
3] Type rdpclip.exe in the window and press Enter. This command re-initiates the rdpclip.exe task.
We could do the same for the dwm.exe task from the Task Manager.
Solution 3] Use the “echo off” command on Command Prompt
1] Open the Command Prompt window as suggested in the previous solution.
2] Type the following command and press Enter:
cmd /c"echo off|clip
3] Restart the system.
Solution 4] Check individual applications
At times the issue with the copy-paste function might not be system specific but application specific. We could check if the function is not working with specific applications. Eg. If you were unable to paste the image in Paint, try copy-pasting text on Notepad.
If the issue is specific to a certain number of applications (or maybe just one), troubleshoot the application accordingly.
Solution 5] Disable the antivirus program temporarily
At times, the anti-virus program prevents the copy-paste function for security reasons. Disabling the anti-virus program temporarily could help isolate the issue.
Solution 6] Hardware and devices troubleshooter
We could also try Windows own in-built troubleshooter.
1] Click on the Start button and then on the gear-like symbol to open the Settings menu.
2] Go to Updates and Security >> Troubleshoot.
3] Select the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.
4] Once the process is done, restart the system.
Hope these resolutions help fix your problem.
Fred Flintstone says
Restart the PC does and has always fixed this stupid issue, none of the above fix’s the issue without a restart, so all of the above are moot, just reboot and problem solved…until it does it again, every version of Windows 10 I have used lately is doing this, even my sandboxed work pc, it usually happens when there is updates available.
Ron says
As Vinnie said: “..Second option worked for me… File in Task mgr was “RDP Clipboard manager”. ”
Thank you!
Ezequiel Jimenez says
Running CCleaner did the work.. Thanks a lot.
Vinnie says
Second option worked for me. Though I have not restarted yet. File in Task mgr was “RDP Clipboard manager”. Deleted ran rdpclip.exe works, still says RDP Clipboard manager. But hay it works.
Vinnie
Saria says
Problem of not being able to copy and paste solved on the first try of the instructions. Great job!
Phred says
After running scannow, clearing the clipboard, and running a full virus scan, the problem didn’t resolve. I discovered that I could use the copy-and-paste from inside the word processor. I ran the Registry clean-up of CCleaner and that solved the problem.
Trevor Bailey says
As David Brooks posted. The .exe does not exist and I have the same version of Win 10 on a 3 month old laptop. My old laptop running Win10 (3 months ago) had the same problem. All the “solutions” did not work. Logging off and on fixes it – for a while. Win 10 is a pile of proverbial. Ubuntu works fine. Wish I didn’t need to use Windows.
David Brooks says
“Copy & Paste” not working. File “rdpclip.exe” does not exist on my machine.
Win 10 Pro Version 1909 Installed 27 October 2019 Build 18363.476
KatWoman says
Solution 2 worked for me- Thank you
The program was not running in task mgr
I used:
File >> Run new task.
6] Type rdpclip.exe in the dialogue box and press Enter. It will re-initiate the process.
7] Restart the system.
Lori Wilson says
Thank you! This is the busiest week of the year for me in my job and your solutions worked! God bless you!
srishti says
I tried all the above mentioned steps but still not working, my problem is not solved. Copy-paste is not working in WINDOWS 10