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JakeXBL
Participant
November 9, 2014
Question

I can't copy and paste in Photoshop.

  • November 9, 2014
  • 6 replies
  • 56598 views

I can't copy and paste in Photoshop. When I try to copy a layer with Crtl + C, nothing happens. I am on Windows 7 64 Bit.

6 replies

solarme
Known Participant
February 17, 2026

I also have been having this problem on my PS CS6, (started about a month ago) when I tried to Paste an image I could not use the Ctr + C at all. 

 

Then by pure luck I looked on Edit and a miracle happened: I found a very short word there that said “Paste”.  Since I was already on the layer where I needed the copy, I just clicked on it and Voila! my image was Pasted right where I needed it.

 

Today is February 16, 2026, I hope this can help those who are having the same problem. 

Participant
September 7, 2025

I am running CS6 on an HP w Windows 11, and have the same problems. All of the suggested alternatives are greyed out and never available to use.  I have tried every combination with the prt sc/SHIFT key, as well as by itself. When I go to CS, I open a new blank file to copy the image to, but Ctrl-V remains grey, no hidden layer, nothing. It's been hugely fruistrating for me as a graphic artist.

Participating Frequently
December 5, 2018

I had same problem, just restarted Photoshop and all works again.

coloradart5280
Participant
March 15, 2018

It's PHOTOSHOP.  The updates are awful and nothing works efficiently....  I even called Adobe and shared screens with them.  They gave no solutions and told me to call Apple.  Apple gave no solutions and I have deadlines.  THANK YOU ADOBE.

War Unicorn
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 15, 2018

What are you trying to do, candy? The same copy and paste operation?

coloradart5280
Participant
March 15, 2018

I am simply trying to copy paste graphics from illustrator.  Also, I can't open jpegs or other photoshop files.  I have to trick photoshop by opening a file directly from photoshop.  Another problem is photoshop and indesign keep uninstalling in my CC.

Inspiring
November 9, 2014

it's a known bug. Here's another topic which covers it extensively:

Photoshop CS5 Clipboard Issue (Win 7)

gener7
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 9, 2014

Select the layer you want in the Layers panel.

Then go into the Source Document window and Select > All or Ctrl-A

Then Ctrl - C, open the Target Document window and Paste.

JakeXBL
JakeXBLAuthor
Participant
November 9, 2014

That didn't work for me.

War Unicorn
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 9, 2014

How about the menu commands? Do those work? (Select > All for selecting entire contents of a layer. Edit > Copy to copy; Edit > Paste to paste.)