Copy and paste not working on Mac? We teach you to solve it

The operating system of our Mac is one of the most stable. However, there is no foolproof system. Also, if you continually update to the latest version, it is possible that these possible system failures are corrected automatically when you reinstall that part that contains errors.

One of the somewhat simple failures, but that bothers us, is lock on copy and paste functionTherefore, practicing any user, use this function daily. If it has failed you on any occasion, we will show you how to solve it quickly and in two different ways, so you can choose the one that is easiest for you. 

What we have to do is relaunch this feature, that is, force it to close and open again. This action solves almost all clipboard stuck or other problems.

Option 1: With the Activity Monitor.

  • In this case, we will go to the activity monitor, which is located inside the applications folder:
    • From the Finder, in the following path: Applications / Utilities, or,
    • From Spotlight, accessing with: Command + Spacebar and writing Activity Monitor.
  • Once open, in the search box in the upper right, we must write: board
  • Select the pboard option and click on the X, which is in the upper left.
  • An option will appear, advising us if we want to stop the process. We will click on "Force exit"
  • Now we can close the activity monitor.

The function automatically closes and reopens. It is similar to rebooting the system, but of that function exclusively. Now test if the "copy and paste" function works correctly.

2nd Option: Through the Terminal.

  • On this occasion, we will repeat the first step of the previous option, but this time, we look in the applications folder or in Spotlight for the application: terminal. 
  • Once open, we write: killall pboard.
  • Now we can exit Terminal. 

Either of these two options should fix the problem. If not, restart.

This feature is not exclusive to macOS High SierraTherefore, you can put it into practice even if you have a previous macOS.


7 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Carlos said

    Good!

    Since the last saw update, copy / paste has stopped working for me. I have tried the two methods you mention .. but it doesn't work for me. I do not know if you know something about the issue of why with that last update it has stopped working. If there is any other way, I would appreciate it.

    A greeting.

  2.   Antonio said

    Either of the two options does not work for me either

  3.   Xavi said

    Copying - pasting doesn't work for me either ... I have tried what I've written and nothing at all, I use these commands for work in my day to day and they are giving me many problems ...

  4.   Belen Furtado said

    Hello, the copy and paste commands from the last update do not work for me either. Did you find a solution for this?

  5.   Extras said

    Hello, he does not give me these steps, I tried several times and nothing ... HELP all day he does not want to hit me or anything 🙁

  6.   Juan Carlos Villalobos placeholder image said

    Any! It does not work.

  7.   Liz said

    Total genius! I forced out and it worked immediately! thanks total