How To Fix The ” Cannot open the Clipboard ” Error in Windows 10
Reader Question:
“Hi Wally, I upgraded by laptop to Windows 10, and ever since then I have not been able to use the “copy and paste feature”. I can’t copy anything or paste it. I tried doing it with the keyboard command and I tried doing it with the mouse. So far, neither are working. Please help.“ - J H., USA
Before addressing any computer issue, I always recommend scanning and repairing any underlying problems affecting your PC health and performance:
- Step 1 : Download PC Repair & Optimizer Tool (WinThruster for Win 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and 2000 – Microsoft Gold Certified).
- Step 2 : Click “Start Scan” to find Windows registry issues that could be causing PC problems.
- Step 3 : Click “Repair All” to fix all issues.
Setting up weekly (or daily) automatic scans will help prevent system problems and keep your PC running fast and trouble-free.
Wally’s Answer: Windows 10 has been installed by millions of users. Most users have been able to use Windows 10 normally while some have also encountered problems. The clipboard problem is pretty annoying and we’ve outlined some ways to help fix it.
Problem
The copy and paste features are not working with some or all programs since upgrading to Windows 10. The following error appears with some programs when trying to copy or paste using the keyboard or mouse:
“Cannot open the clipboard”.
Solution
Here are some ways to fix the ”Cannot open the clipboard” error in Windows 10:
Use The sfc /scannow Command To Repair Damaged or Missing System Files
As the title states, running this command replaces missing and damaged system files.
Press Windows Key+X to see a menu appear on the lower-right corner of the screen. Click Command Prompt (Admin) from the list as shown below
Type the sfc command in Command Prompt and press Enter
sfc /scannow
Use a PowerShell Command
The copy-paste clipboard feature might be failing due to a constantly refreshing Windows app. This command fixes this problem by re-registering Windows apps.
Press the Windows Key and type powershell.
Right-Click Powershell from the list of results, and click Run as administrator, to open an elevated PowerShell as shown below:
You can copy the command, and right-clicking in the Powershell Window to paste it. If that doesn’t work, then you’ll need to carefully type the command instead. Press Enter to run the command.
Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Check For Windows Upgrades
Press the Windows Key and type update. Click Check for updates
Look at the options and make sure that Windows is updated. These Windows updates can fix known issues like the clipboard problem.
Use Windows Recovery To Fix the Clipboard in Windows 10
Try using the Windows recovery feature if none of the above fixes the problem. Windows recovery will not delete personal files, but it will delete all installed software. Click here to learn more.
If you want to copy important data before using Windows recovery, then you can try booting your computer with a live Linux disk. This should allow you to run Linux without installing it. Click here to watch a video tutorial on how to make a bootable Linux USB or DVD.
I Hope You Liked This Blog Article! If You Need Additional Support on This Issue Then Please Don’t Hesitate To Contact Me On Facebook.
Is Your PC Healthy?
I always recommend to my readers to regularly use a trusted registry cleaner and optimizer such as WinThruster or CCleaner. Many problems that you encounter can be attributed to a corrupt and bloated registry.
Happy Computing! 
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About the Author
Wally PhillipsWindows Wally is a helpful guy. It’s just in his nature. It’s why he started a blog in the first place. He heard over and over how hard it was to find simple, plain-English solutions to Windows troubleshooting problems on the Internet. Enter: Windows Wally. Ask away, and he will answer.
