Copy-pasting is one of the essential functions of any operating system.
Consciously or unconsciously, we use it often in our daily lives.
Whether its texts, photos, documents, or anything, its essential for everyone.
macOS also supports the copy-paste functionality.
This function relies on a buffer to hold the copied items called a clipboard.
Usually, its an issue with the clipboard or the operating systems glitches.
Nonetheless, heres how to fix copy and paste not working on Mac.
1. reset your Mac
The first and foremost solution is to reset your Mac.
Heres how to kickstart your Mac:
1.choose theApple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
3.ChooseRestartagain to confirm restarting your Mac.
Wait for your Mac to restart and try copy-pasting something to see whether the issue got resolved.
Close Any Applications With Clipboard Access
There are various clipboard apps available for the Mac.
Some of the popular ones arePasteandMaccy.
There are also some Spotlight alternatives likeRaycastthat also do the same.
These clipboard managers are good, but they tend to replace the existing clipboard manager of the Mac.
So its best to close all the programs once and see which utility is causing this issue.
Remove Third-Party Clipboard Apps
1.OpenFinderon your Mac.
2.Go to theApplicationsfolder from the sidebar.
If you dont find it, pressCmd+Shift+G, jot down/Applications, and hitEnter/Returnkey.
3.Right-punch the app you want to remove and selectMove to Trash.
Alternatively, it’s possible for you to drag the utility to theTrashicon on the dock.
Once removed, kickstart your Mac and see if that fixes the clipboard issue for you.
If it doesnt, move on to the following troubleshooting method.
Force wrap up the pboard
pboard in Mac stands forPasteboard.
It acts as a buffer when you copy and paste any item, like a clipboard.
So its apparent that it may not function when it starts malfunctioning.
Since its not an app, you may not need to use the Activity Monitor to force close it.
Heres how to use the Activity Monitor to close Pasteboard on Mac:
1.OpenLaunchpadon your Mac.
By default, you’re free to find it on the macOS Dock.
2.TypeActivity Monitoron the search bar located at the top and selectActivity Monitorfrom the results.
Alternatively, you’ve got the option to hitCmd+Spaceon your keyboard, search, and openActivity Monitor.
3.After the activities load, typepboardin the search bar on the top-right.
5.Hit theQuitbutton at the bottom.
6.ChooseForce Quitwhen asked for confirmation.
1.OpenTerminalon your Mac from Launchpad or Spotlight Search.
2.pop in the following command and hit theEnter/Returnkey on your keyboard:
3.Enter yourMacs passwordand hit theEnter/Returnkey when prompted.
Once done, start your PC and see if the issue gets fixed on your Mac.
If not, proceed with the following methods.
Force Quit WindowServer
Another background process in macOS that may affect the clipboard management is WindowServer.
Its also an essential process that keeps macOS up and running.
However, closing it may fix the copy-and-paste not working issue on your Mac.
Heres how to end the WindowServer process on your Mac using Activity Monitor.
3.After the activities load, typeWindowServerin the search bar on the top right.
Once loaded, try copying and pasting on your Mac; it might work.
If not, move on to the next solution.
Hence, installing the latest updates on your Mac is best, where Apple fixes most bugs.
2.Go toGeneraland thenSoftware Update.
3.Click theUpdate Nowbutton if theres an update available for your Mac.
4.Restartyour Mac once the update finishes.
Once your Mac restarts, try using the copy-paste function again to check whether it works.
If it doesnt, proceed to the following method.
Reset Your Mac
1.SelectSystem Settingsfrom theApple menu at the top left corner of your screen.
2.Go toGeneral > Transfer or Reset.
3.hit theErase All Content and Settingsoption.
If not, youre almost out of options here.
Take your Mac to the nearest Apple Store or an authorized service center.
Theyll ask you to submit the Mac for diagnosis.
They may take 3-5 days to thoroughly diagnose and fix the issue based on the availability of parts.
