Clear the clipboard

To clear the clipboard and resolve common clipboard-related issues in Windows 11, use these steps.

Clear clipboard history via Settings

1. Select Start > Settings > System > Clipboard.
2. In the Clear clipboard data section, select Clear.
   • This clears everything except pinned items on the device and in the cloud.

Clear clipboard history with keyboard shortcut

1. Press Windows logo key + V to open clipboard history.
2. At the top, select Clear all to remove all non‑pinned items.

Clear a single clipboard item

1. Press Windows logo key + V.
2. Next to the item to remove, select the … (See more) icon.
3. Select Delete.

If clipboard history is causing issues

• Turn clipboard history off and back on:
  1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Clipboard.
  2. Turn Clipboard history off, then on again.
• If syncing is involved and seems problematic, toggle Sync across devices off and on in the same Clipboard settings page.

These actions typically clear stored clipboard data and resolve most “clipboard full” or clipboard history–related issues.

References:

• Using the clipboard

Open File Explorer and go to this folder (replace XXX with your username).

C:\Users\XXX\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Clipboard

Delete the contents of that clipboard folder.

Restart (not shut down) your PC to apply the changes and test if the issue is resolved.