If you're a Windows user who frequently uses VNC (Virtual Network Computing) to remotely access and control other computers, you may have encountered a frustrating issue with the copy and paste function. At times, the clipboard seems to break, preventing you from copying and pasting text or files between the two computers. This can be a major inconvenience, especially if you rely on VNC for work or other important tasks. But fear not, as there are some simple steps you can take to fix this pesky problem.
First, it's important to understand why the clipboard breaks in VNC. The issue usually occurs when there is a mismatch between the VNC server and viewer versions. This means that if you are using an older version of VNC on one computer and a newer version on the other, the clipboard may not work properly. Additionally, certain antivirus programs or firewalls may also interfere with the clipboard function.
Now that we know the root cause, let's dive into the solutions. The first thing you can try is updating both the VNC server and viewer to the latest version. This will ensure that both computers are using the same version, eliminating any potential compatibility issues. You can download the latest version of VNC from the RealVNC website.
If updating doesn't solve the problem, you can check if any antivirus or firewall settings are blocking the clipboard. You can do this by temporarily disabling these programs and then attempting to copy and paste in VNC. If it works, then you know that the issue was caused by your security software. In this case, you can either add VNC to the list of trusted applications or adjust the settings to allow clipboard access.
Another solution is to restart the VNC service on both computers. This will refresh the connection and may fix any glitches that were causing the clipboard to break. To do this, open the VNC server on the remote computer and go to the "Options" menu. From there, click on "Expert" and then "Restart VNC service". Repeat this process on the viewer computer as well.
If none of these solutions work, you can try using a different VNC client. RealVNC offers a variety of VNC clients for different operating systems and devices. You can also try using a different remote desktop software altogether, such as TeamViewer or AnyDesk.
In some cases, the issue may not be with VNC itself but with the computer's clipboard. To fix this, you can try clearing the clipboard history on both computers. On the remote computer, open the Run command (Windows key + R) and type in "cmd". In the command prompt, type "echo off | clip" and press Enter. This will clear the clipboard history. Repeat this process on the viewer computer as well.
Lastly, if all else fails, you can try restarting both computers. This will often solve any temporary issues and restore the clipboard function.
In conclusion, the broken paste clipboard issue in VNC can be frustrating, but it can be easily fixed by updating VNC, checking security software settings, restarting the VNC service, using a different VNC client, clearing the clipboard history, or simply restarting both computers. So the next time you encounter this problem, try these solutions before pulling your hair out in frustration.
