7 Ways to Fix Copy and Paste Not Working in Microsoft Word
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Basic Fixes
Fix 1: Clear the Clipboard Using
While working with Microsoft Office apps, you get to use thespecific Office clipboardto save the copied text. Of course, it’s not an endless storage and has some limitations. So to workaround those limits,clear the system clipboardand try again.
Step 1:Typecmdin the Windows Search bar, right-click on theCommand Promptand selectRun as administrator.
Step 2:Enter and typecmd /c “echo off|clip”command.
Make sure to replace the ‘c’ with the drive letter where you’ve installed Windows and Office.
Alternatively, you can go toSettings > System > Clipboardand clear the clipboard history.
Fix 2: Reset Customizations
If you have re-assigned the copy-paste shortcut to another function, or if Word is not responding when copying and pasting, use the steps below to reset it.
Step 1:Open Microsoft Word on your Windows PC and clickFileat the top-left corner.
Step 2:SelectOptionsfrom the left sidebar and clickCustomize Ribbon.
Step 3:Use thedrop-downnext to Customizations in the bottom-right corner and selectReset all customization.
If you use a Bluetooth keyboard and frequently switch between Windows and Mac, make sure you are in Windows mode. Only then the Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V keyboard shortcuts will work.
Fix 3: Run Word in Safe Mode
You can try running Microsoft Word in Safe mode and check if copy-paste works:
Step 1:Press theWindows and Rkeyboard shortcut to open a new Run dialog window.
Step 2:Type inwinword/safeand hit Enter.
When Word opens in the Safe Mode, check if the copy-paste functionality works. If it does, disable your add-ins and re-enable them one by one to identify the culprit.
Fix 4: Disable Add-Ins and Third-Party Apps
Microsoft Word may cause issues with pasting content due to installed add-ins. A problematic add-in can cause issues with the program.
Step 1:At the top-left of the Word window, click onFile.
Step 2:SelectOptionsfrom the new menu.
Step 3:Click onAdd-ins.
Step 4:On the drop-down menu beside the Manage tab, selectCOM Add-Insand click onGo.
Step 5:On the new dialog box,uncheckall the boxes beside theadd-ins in Wordand click onOK.
Step 6:Close Word and restart your PC.
Fix 5: Repair Office
If you still can’t copy-paste in Word or you can’t start the app in Safe Mode, try repairing Office.
Step 1:Search and open the Settings app from the start menu.
Step 2:Click onAppsin the sidebar. SelectApps & features.
Step 3:Scroll down to findMicrosoft Officeand click on thethree dotsnext to it. Click onModify.
Step 4:Use either of the options to repair Microsoft Office and click onRepair. You will be able to repair and fix the issues affecting it.
Also Read:How to repair Microsoft Office installation errors in Windows.
Fix 6: Update Office
By keeping Microsoft Word up to date, you ensure that you have the latest improvements and optimizations, reducing the likelihood of problems.
Step 1:Click onFilein Microsoft Word.
Step 2:Click onAccount.
Step 3:Click onUpdate Options. Then, click onUpdate Now.
Wait for the update to download in the background.
Once the updates are installed, you will receive a confirmation for the same.
Fix 7: Uninstall Microsoft Office Updates
Sometimes, you may experience issues in Microsoft Word after a recent Microsoft Office update. If you notice this, you can try to uninstall the update and check if it solves the problem.
Step 1:Open theControl Paneland selectPrograms and Features.
Step 2:On the left pane of the new window, selectView Installed Updates.
Step 4:On the column titled Installed On, scroll through the new updates to identify the most recent installation.
Step 5:After identifying the latest update, click on theprogram/appto select the update. Click onUninstall.
Step 6:You will receive a prompt asking you to confirm the uninstallation of the update, click onYes.
Pro Tip: Check Copy-Paste Options in Word
After you resolve the copy-paste problem, use the steps below to tweak the default paste behavior in Word.
Step 1:Open the Microsoft Word on your PC and clickFileat the top-left corner.
Step 2:SelectOptionsfrom the left sidebar.
Step 3:ClickAdvanced. Scroll toCut, copy, and pasteand make the required changes as per your preference.
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Last updated on 16 July, 2024
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