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Issue with opening the clipboard history in Windows 11 by pressing Win + V
When I press Win + V to open the Clipboard History panel, the interface is blank and does not display any copied items, even though the Clipboard History feature is enabled in Settings.
Restarting the computer or restarting File Explorer temporarily resolves the issue, but it reoccurs after a while.
4 Replies
Since a restart only fixes it until the next time, the useful step can be finding which of the two parts is hanging: the panel you get on Win+V is drawn by TextInputHost.exe, while the history itself lives in the per user Clipboard User Service (cbdhsvc plus a hex suffix). Next time it goes blank, end TextInputHost.exe in Task Manager (it restarts on demand) and press Win+V again. If the panel comes back with your items, the UI host was the one hanging. If it opens but is still empty, restart the cbdhsvc service instead (services.msc, Clipboard User Service). Whichever of the two revives it is the process to watch for why it keeps coming back.
Hi DashielQuinn, if Win + V opens but the clipboard history panel is blank until you restart Explorer, the clipboard service or shell UI is likely hanging. First restart the Clipboard User Service from Services, then toggle Clipboard history off and back on in Settings > System > Clipboard. If you use clipboard sync across devices, turn sync off temporarily and test local history only. I would also check for shell customization tools, clipboard managers, or security software that may hook clipboard access. If the issue returns after a while, note whether it happens after sleep, docking, remote desktop, or switching users.
Open Services by typing services.msc in the Run dialog (Win + R).
Locate Clipboard User Service or Clipboard.
Right-click and select Restart.
If the service isn't running, right-click and choose Start.
Ensure your Windows 11 is up to date, as updates often fix bugs related to Clipboard.
