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Hugo de Ashcom
Hugo de Ashcom
Participating Frequently
April 25, 2024
Answered

Copy and Paste in Illustrator does not work

Good morning,

I have had a problem for several days, even weeks, because when I use Illustrator my copy/paste works 1 time out of 4 out of 5, out of 10 even sometimes, that is to say that I have to Copy several times before Pasting option. is possible, and this only on Illustrator, I have a very good PC and recent Illustrator in the latest versions and which worked normally before that, can you help me to resolve this problem thank you in advance

    Anubhav M
    Anubhav MCorrect answer
    Community Manager
    October 5, 2026

    Hello everyone,
     

    We know how disruptive it is to run into copy/paste issues in the middle of your work. To help, we have put together an article that walks you through identifying the root cause and fixing it yourself (https://community.adobe.com/announcements-651/why-copy-paste-breaks-in-illustrator-and-how-to-fix-it-1624301). Give it a try and let us know how you get on.


    Anubhav

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    30 replies

    Anubhav M
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
    Community Manager
    October 5, 2026

    Hello everyone,
     

    We know how disruptive it is to run into copy/paste issues in the middle of your work. To help, we have put together an article that walks you through identifying the root cause and fixing it yourself (https://community.adobe.com/announcements-651/why-copy-paste-breaks-in-illustrator-and-how-to-fix-it-1624301). Give it a try and let us know how you get on.


    Anubhav

    [Note: Marking correct for visibility]

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    Zealous_Serenityc79b
    Participant
    October 4, 2026

    Try checking your Keyboard shortcut.

    This happen to me because I set a function to Ctrl + Alt + V.

     

    Try setting back to default, or avoid any combination that use Ctrl and V

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    volnoriz
    Participating Frequently
    September 21, 2026

    The same problem occurs when copy-pasting an object from Illustrator to InDesign. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. The issue has been observed in at least the last two versions of Illustrator (30.8 and 30.8.1). The previous workaround—closing all applications that interact with the clipboard, such as OpenOffice—no longer helps.

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    Harshika Verma
    Community Manager
    Harshika VermaCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    September 24, 2026

    Hi volnoriz,


    Thank you for reaching out, and sorry for the trouble you're experiencing while copy-pasting from Illustrator to InDesign. I cannot replicate the problem on my Mac with the latest versions of both applications. Could you please provide a short video of your process for a more thorough investigation? Does this issue occur with a particular object and file, or does it happen with all files?


    Please provide the details of your operating system and the versions of Illustrator & InDesign installed on your device.


    We will do our utmost to look into the issue.


    Thanks,

    Harshika

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    TahiaDesign
    Known Participant
    June 10, 2026

    Same problem June 2026. Did anyone find the solution? I have non of the list of programs posted that could interfere with copy + paste or Cut + paste

     
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    Anubhav M
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    June 15, 2026

    Hi @TahiaDesign,
     

    I'm really sorry you're running into similar issues with Illustrator. Let's see if we can get to the bottom of it.

    When you have a chance, could you try launching Illustrator in Safe Mode (Windows / macOS) and let me know if that makes a difference?


    Looking forward to hearing how it goes!

    Anubhav

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    lauren.veldboom
    Participating Frequently
    October 3, 2025

    I'm having these same problems, on top of all the other problems I've been having.

    I've tried everything listed here, including removing all adobe software with the Adobe cleaner tool. Nothing helps.

    This software just keeps getting worse and worse every year.

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    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 3, 2025
    quote

    I'm having these same problems, on top of all the other problems I've been having.

    I've tried everything listed here, including removing all adobe software with the Adobe cleaner tool. Nothing helps.

    This software just keeps getting worse and worse every year.


    By @ggreathouse

     

    THere is a list with third party software that interferes with Illustrator. Do you run any of that?

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    lauren.veldboom
    Participating Frequently
    October 14, 2025

    Nope, not a single one.

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    Mateusz Piotrowski
    Mateusz Piotrowski
    Participating Frequently
    September 19, 2024

    In preferences - clipboard you can try and deselect all the options there. 

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    Hugo de Ashcom
    Hugo de AshcomAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    May 3, 2024

    I still haven't found where the problem is coming from.. 😕😕

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    Anubhav M
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 3, 2024

    Hello @Hugo29780694gsh7,

    We understand that encountering technical issues can be frustrating. Would you mind trying to run Illustrator under Safe Mode (Windows / macOS) and checking if it helps? Also, try running Illustrator under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and share your observations.

    Looking forward to hearing from you.

     

    Thanks,

    Anubhav

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    Hugo de Ashcom
    Hugo de AshcomAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    July 9, 2024

    Hello, the problem still persists nothing to do the copy/paste only works when it wants to, I can't find where the problem is coming from...

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    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 25, 2024

    These things interfere with Illustrator's clipboard. Do you have any of them? 

     

    • arallels Toolbox running with the Clipboard History
    • TeamVewer Clipboard > Use Shared Clipboard
    • Apple iOS device simulator from Xcode
    • Windows Multi-clipboard
    • Windows Clipboard History
    • Chrome Remote Desktop
    • Mouse Pointer Highlighter
    • AnyViewer
    • Pastebot app
    • Overzealous antivirus (Digital Guardian) as well as viruses that empty the clipboard
    • Vector Magic
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    Hugo de Ashcom
    Hugo de AshcomAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    April 25, 2024

    Hello, 

    It doesn't seem to me, how can I check please?

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    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 25, 2024

    You should know what you installed on your computer?

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    kglad
    Community Expert
    kgladCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 25, 2024

    in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

    p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.



    <"moved from using the community bugs">
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