Is Your Windows 10 Clipboard History Not Working? Here's How to Fix It!
Have you ever had the frustration of trying to paste something from your clipboard only to find that it's empty? This can be incredibly annoying, especially if you're in the middle of a task and need to quickly paste something. One common cause of this issue is a broken Windows 10 Clipboard History. This is a handy feature that allows you to access recently copied items. However, it can sometimes malfunction, leading to frustration and lost productivity.
Here's what you need to know:
- Understanding the Clipboard History: The clipboard history feature in Windows 10 stores a list of your recently copied items. It's accessible through the "Windows key + V" shortcut and allows you to paste any of the stored items with a single click.
- Why it Might Break: The clipboard history can become corrupted for various reasons, such as software conflicts, updates, or system errors. If you're experiencing issues, it's time to troubleshoot.
Here are some troubleshooting steps to fix your broken Windows 10 Clipboard History:
1. Restart Your System
This might sound basic, but sometimes a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches. Restart your computer and see if the clipboard history starts working again.
2. Enable Clipboard History in Settings
Ensure that Clipboard History is actually enabled in your Windows settings. Here's how:
- Open Settings (Windows key + I).
- Go to System > Clipboard.
- Make sure the Clipboard history toggle is turned on.
3. Clear Clipboard History
Clearing the Clipboard History can sometimes resolve the issue.
- Open Settings (Windows key + I).
- Go to System > Clipboard.
- Click on the Clear button.
4. Check for Windows Updates
Out-of-date Windows updates can cause various system issues, including clipboard malfunctions.
- Open Settings (Windows key + I).
- Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click on Check for Updates and install any available updates.
5. The Power of Regedit
Important: Before making changes in the Registry Editor, it's crucial to create a backup of your Registry. This protects your system in case of accidental changes.
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type regedit and press Enter.
- Navigate to the following path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
- Right-click on the Explorer key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name the new value EnableCsrssClipboardHistory.
- Double-click on the EnableCsrssClipboardHistory value and set its data to 1.
- Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
6. Troubleshoot App Conflicts
Some applications may interfere with the Clipboard History functionality. Try temporarily disabling recently installed apps or any known "clipboard managers" and see if that resolves the issue.
7. Reset Clipboard History
This involves deleting the contents of your Clipboard history.
- Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
- Navigate to the following location: C:\Users[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Clipboard.
- Delete all files within this folder.
- Restart your computer.
8. System Restore
If nothing else works, consider using System Restore to revert your computer to an earlier point in time when the Clipboard History was working correctly.
- Open Settings (Windows key + I).
- Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
- Click on Open System Restore under "Restore Settings to an Earlier Point".
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
9. Clean Boot
Performing a clean boot helps isolate the issue.
- Type msconfig in the Run dialog box (Windows key + R) and press Enter.
- Go to the Services tab and check the box for Hide all Microsoft services.
- Click on Disable all.
- Go to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
- In Task Manager, disable all startup programs.
- Close Task Manager and click Apply and OK in the System Configuration window.
- Restart your computer.
10. Reinstall Windows
As a last resort, consider reinstalling Windows. This should address any underlying system issues that may be affecting the clipboard history.
Conclusion
A broken Windows 10 Clipboard History can be a frustrating issue, but hopefully, these steps provide you with a solution. Remember to try the solutions in order, and don't forget to back up your Registry before making any changes. If you're still facing issues, consider reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance. By following these troubleshooting steps, you can get your Clipboard History working again and restore your productivity.