How to Fix Clipboard History Not Working in Windows 11

Clipboard History is a useful feature in Windows 11 that allows users to save multiple items to the clipboard and access them later. If this feature isn’t working properly, it can hinder productivity. This guide provides detailed steps to troubleshoot and fix Clipboard History issues in Windows 11.

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Step 1: Verify Clipboard History is Enabled

Before troubleshooting, ensure that the Clipboard History feature is turned on.

How to check:

1. 1. Click on Start > Settings (or press Windows key + I).

1. 1. Go to System > Clipboard.

1. 1. Find the option Clipboard history.

1. 1. Make sure the toggle switch is set to On.

If it’s off, turn it on and try using Clipboard History again by pressing Windows key + V.

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Step 2: Restart Your PC

Sometimes a simple restart can fix the issue:

• • Click Start > Power > Restart.

• • After restarting, check if clipboard history works by copying multiple items and pressing Windows + V.

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Step 3: Clear Clipboard History Data

Corrupted clipboard data can cause problems. Clearing it might help.

How to clear clipboard data:

1. 1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.

1. 1. Go to System > Clipboard.

1. 1. Scroll down to Clear clipboard data.

1. 1. Click Clear to delete the stored clipboard history.

Try copying new items and opening the clipboard history again.

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Step 4: Check Group Policy Settings (For Windows Pro and Enterprise)

If you are using Pro or Enterprise editions, Group Policy settings might disable clipboard history.

Steps:

1. 1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

1. 1. Navigate to:

      Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > OS Policies

1. 1. Look for the policy named Allow Clipboard History.
      • • If set to Disabled, double-click it and set it to Not Configured or Enabled.

1. 1. Similarly, check Allow Clipboard Cloud Sync if relevant.

1. 1. Click Apply, then OK.

1. 1. Restart your PC.

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Step 5: Modify Registry Settings (For Windows Home or if Group Policy Editor unavailable)

Incorrect registry settings can disable clipboard history.

WARNING: Modifying the registry incorrectly can cause issues. Back up your registry first.

1. 1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

1. 1. Navigate to:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

1. 1. Look for a DWORD named AllowClipboardHistory.
      • • If found and its value is set to 0, right-click, select Modify, and change the value to 1.
      • • If not found, no action needed.

1. 1. Also check for AllowCrossDeviceClipboard and set it to 1 if you want cloud sync.

1. 1. Restart your PC after changes.

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Step 6: Update Windows 11

An outdated Windows version can cause feature bugs.

1. 1. Open Settings (Windows + I).

1. 1. Go to Windows Update.

1. 1. Click Check for updates.

1. 1. Install any available updates.

1. 1. Restart your computer.

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Step 7: Run the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Scan

Corrupted system files can cause malfunction.

1. 1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
      • • Search cmd in Start,
      • • Right-click Command Prompt > Run as administrator.

1. 1. Type the following commands and press Enter after each:

      sfc /scannow

      Wait for the scan to complete (may take a while).

1. 1. Then run:

      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

1. 1. Restart your PC after the scans complete.

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Step 8: Check for Third-Party Application Conflicts

Some clipboard managers or privacy/security software can interfere.

• • Temporarily disable or uninstall clipboard manager apps or security software.

• • Test Clipboard History again.

If functionality returns, adjust software settings or keep it disabled.

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Step 9: Use Windows PowerShell to Reinstall Clipboard App (Optional)

Sometimes reinstalling the Clipboard app can fix issues.

1. 1. Press Windows + X, select Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).

1. 1. Run:

      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsClipboard | Remove-AppxPackage

1. 1. Then reinstall from Microsoft Store or run:

      Add-AppxPackage -register “C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.WindowsClipboard_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AppxManifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode

1. 1. Restart the PC.

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Step 10: Reset Your PC (Last Resort)

If nothing works, you can reset Windows 11 keeping your files.

1. 1. Go to Settings > System > Recovery.

1. 1. Click Reset PC.

1. 1. Choose Keep my files.

1. 1. Follow the prompts.

Note: This should be the last resort.

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• • Use the shortcut Windows + V to open Clipboard History.

• • Clipboard History only keeps a limited number of items.

• • Clipboard History does not work in Secure or InPrivate modes.

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Step	Action
1. Enable Clipboard History	Settings > System > Clipboard > Toggle On
2. Restart PC	Restart from Start Menu
3. Clear Clipboard Data	Settings > System > Clipboard > Clear Data
4. Group Policy Edit	gpedit.msc > OS Policies > Allow Clipboard History Enabled
5. Registry Edit	Regedit > Set AllowClipboardHistory = 1
6. Update Windows	Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates
7. Run SFC & DISM Scans	sfc /scannow and DISM /RestoreHealth
8. Check 3rd-Party Apps	Disable clipboard/security apps temporarily
9. Reinstall Clipboard App	Use PowerShell
10. Reset PC (last resort)	Settings > Recovery > Reset PC

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If you follow all these steps carefully, you should be able to resolve issues with Clipboard History not working on Windows 11. If the problem persists, consider contacting Microsoft Support as it could be a unique case or bug.