Are you copy-pasting something but getting the Sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed message? Do you want to fix it and know the root of the error? You are at the right junction, so hurry up and discover why this copy-paste error occurs and how to fix it.

What Does Sorry No Manipulations with Clipboard Allowed Mean

Copying and pasting any text, files, or images is a basic feature of Windows, MacBooks, and smartphones. The copy-and-paste feature stored temporary data whenever you copied something on the virtual clipboard. The copied item, which is saved in the clipboard, will be pasted. However, the copied item will save on the clipboard till you restart the device.

Suppose you have copied or want to paste an item, and you get this prompt: Sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed. This message means that the clipboard or copy-paste feature is not working properly. Moreover, copying text from apps or browser pages and moving files is not allowed.

Why does Sorry No Manipulations with Clipboard Allowed Error Occur?

If you encounter a copy-paste error on your Windows, Mac, or smartphone and want to know about why the clipboard malfunctions. Once you find the reason, then you can take measures to dodge this error. Here we have shared the reasons for the “Sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed” error.

• Operating system bugs
• Clipboard manager issues
• OS storage is full
• Misbehaving third-party software
• Some sites don’t allow copying any content

How to Fix Sorry No Manipulations With Clipboard Allowed Error On Mac?

It is annoying when you have to copy and paste a lengthy text as typing a long text takes time, but your system prompts a copy-paste error. That is why it is really urgent to fix the copy-paste issue. So here we have described the common fix for sorting out this issue.

Keep in mind that if you have saved something in the clipboard and you got the Sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed error, the saved items will be gone at this point. And you can’t recover that item you have saved in the clipboard when you are going to fix it.

1. Restart Clipboard with Activity Monitor

Unlike other macOS utilities, the clipboard lacks a user interface and can’t be easily quit. However, if you experience the sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed issue, you can resolve it by shutting it down via Activity Monitor.

To restart the pasteboard server on your Mac, follow these steps:

• Open Activity Monitor by pressing Command + Space, type “Activity Monitor,” and hit the Return.
• In the Activity Monitor window, you’ll see a list of all active apps, processes, and services running on your Mac.
• In the search bar, type pboard. This will display the pboard process, responsible for managing the clipboard, for each logged-in user.
• Double-click on the pboard that you want to restart and click on the Quit option. A confirmation pop-up will appear (this is a standard prompt, not specific to pboard).
• Click Quitor Force Quit. The pboard process will shut down and automatically restart.

After restarting, try copying and pasting again to see if the issue is resolved!

2. Restart Clipboard with Terminal

Another macOS utility you can use to force quit the malfunctioned clipboard on your Mac is Terminal. It is a built-in macOS utility that allows you to perform various tasks through command lines. Here’s how you can use it to force quit the Mac OS clipboard process:

• You can launch Terminal by opening Finder > Applications > Utitlies and searching for Terminal and double clicking on it. Or by using Spotlight search (press the Command + Space keys at the same time and type Terminal).
• In the Terminal window, type the following command to stop the clipboard process:

Sudo killall pboard

• Enter your Mac password if asked, then hit Enter to run the command.
• Now exit Terminal to save the changes.

3. Kill WindowSever Process

WindowServer is made up of services that handle window management. Basically, any visual items like the Menu bar and Dock bar on your Mac are being displayed to you by WindowServer. Therefore, eliminating the WindowServer process can remove the sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed error caused by this process if it is faulty.

• Open Activity Monitor on your Mac and type Windowserver in the search panel.
• Launch the WindowServer process by double-clicking on it.
• Click the Quit button and select Force Quit to make a confirmation.
• Then Exit from Activity Monitor.

4. Run Maintenance Scripts on Your System

You can use your Mac for years without restarting it and shut it down. The maintenance scripts run in the background on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis to enable this. However, it removes unwanted system logs and files you don’t need and keeps the system functioning smoothly. But sometimes the maintenance scripts don’t run automatically and cause sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed on your Mac. You can manually run the maintenance scripts on your MacBook to do that; follow these steps.

• Press the Cmd + Space bar key at the same time to open the Spotlight.
• Now search for the terminal to open the terminal app.
• Now type sudo periodic daily weekly monthly command and enter your password.
• After that, the maintenance script will run on your system.

5. Restart or Update Your Mac to Fix the Faulty Clipboard

Does the copy-paste function completely crash on your Mac? It is best to restart the Mac to quickly back each app to the functioning state. If you’re encountering the Sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed error and the copy-paste function isn’t working on your Mac, a quick restart can usually resolve the issue and restore functionality.

Always update your Mac or check from time to time if your MacBook needs to upgrade. Often, outdated apps give you a tough time working efficiently. It’s also important to regularly check for system updates to ensure your Mac is running the latest version. Outdated software can often cause performance issues, including problems with the clipboard. By keeping your apps and system updated, you can avoid such errors and ensure smooth operation across your device.

6. Uninstall Suspicious Apps and Software

The faulty message Sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed still shows after you try all the above methods. It may be misdoing third-party software that causes problems; then you have to identify and uninstall apps that are suspicious, especially the recently downloaded applications and software.

7. The Website Doesn’t Allow Copying the Content

Possibly, it is not the clipboard’s fault that gives the copy-paste error. If you encounter sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed on Chrome or any other browser, it means the website you visit and try to copy the disabled text selection. In this situation you have to try some tweaks to copy the disabled text:

• Disable JavaScript in your browser
• Install any legitimate copy-paste extension
• Take a screenshot and extract the wanted text

8. Delete Cache Files

Each application on your Mac produces temporary files and data for it to work smoothly. These files are known as cache files. While the cache files sometimes become corrupt and cause many issues including sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed. To clear the cache files on Mac:

• Open the finder and click on the Go option from the pop-up menu.
• Press option and click on the library option from the drop-down menu.
• Now go to the caches folder and delete all the files and folders here. NOTE: Don’t delete the Caches parent folder.

9. Run an Antivirus Scan

Well, viruses and malware are not common to MacBooks, but they can infect the system. Malicious software can specifically target your Mac’s clipboard and lead to the sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed issue. So run the suitable antivirus software for macOS. If the software finds any malicious files, apps, or software, delete it to prevent any further malware attacks on your system.

10. Uninstall Clipboard Managers if Installed

Third-party clipboard managers are usually good to use. But sometimes they can cause issues with the built-in Mac’s clipboard that lead to sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed error. You must uninstall the third-party clipboard managers if installed on your Mac. To do that;

• Open the Applications folder on your Mac.
• Long press the clipboard manager that you want to delete until icons start shaking.
• Click on the X icon you will see next to the app that you want to delete.
• Now click on the delete button from the pop-up small window.

What If Sorry No Manipulations With Clipboard Allowed Still Exist?

If you have tried the above-mentioned fixes to sort out the Sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed glitch, but none of them worked. Then it is best to contact your system support. The online contact center system will help you to get rid of this error efficiently and make the copy-and-paste feature work again on your system.

FAQs

Q: How to turn off copy to clipboard on Mac?
Ans: To turn off the copy to clipboard feature on Mac:

• Head to the system settings.
• Select privacy & security.
• Click on the clipboard.
• Turn the toggle off for the applications you want to restrict.

Q: How to delete clipboard history to fix sorry no manipulations with clipboard allowed error?
Ans: If you want to clear the clipboard manager history to fix the copy-paste error, here is how to do it:

• Open the clipboard manager app.
• Head to the history section of the app.
• Click on the delete or erase option.