How to fix
Can’t paste pictures in Paint
on Windows

Hello. When I take a screenshot and try to paste it into Paint on Windows, it does not work as it used to. How can I fix this? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A simple graphics tool called Paint also referred to as Microsoft Paint, is pre-installed on Windows operating systems. It's a flexible program frequently used for straightforward picture editing, drawing, or producing simple graphics. Users may easily perform operations like resizing photographs, adding text, or drawing shapes with Paint. Paint serves its purpose for quick and simple tasks, even though it doesn't have as many features as more sophisticated graphic design tools.

Users who depend on Paint for their graphic needs may find it difficult when they can't paste images in Paint on Windows. For people who routinely use Paint for tasks like picture composition, annotations, or straightforward graphic design work, this issue can reduce productivity and interrupt the workflow. Users' ability to generate and alter visuals within the program is constrained without the ability to paste images.

Checking for clipboard issues, making sure that the clipboard history is enabled, or, in more serious situations, reinstalling Paint are all potential fixes. By ensuring that the copy-and-paste feature is operating properly within the program, these methods try to solve the issue at its root. Depending on the precise source of the problem and the user's system configuration, the exact solution could vary.

In this guide, you will find 4 steps that should help you fix the issue of not being able to paste images in Paint. You can also try running a maintenance tool like [d1] that can fix most system errors, BSODs, corrupted files, registry issues, or clear cookies and cache automatically. Otherwise, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Solution 1. Use Another Paste Option

• If the Paste icon is missing or greyed out, try using the paste shortcut: Ctrl + V.
• Another solution is to right-click on an empty space in Paint and select Paste from the right-click menu.
• If these methods don’t work, check if the screenshot is in the clipboard.
• To do that, press the Windows key + V and simply click on the clipboard image to paste it.
• In case the image is not in the clipboard, try to capture the image again.
• Press Alt + PrtSc or just the Print Screen button.
• Then, check again if it is in the clipboard.

Solution 2. Repair or Reset Paint

• Click the Start button and select Settings.
• Go to Apps and select Installed apps.

• Locate Paint, click on the three dots button to its right, and select Advanced options.
• Scroll down and first click on Repair under the Reset section. See if the problem has been resolved.
• If not, come back to the window and click the Reset button below.

Solution 3. Reinstall Paint

• Click the Start button and select Settings.
• Go to Apps and select Installed apps.
• Locate Paint, click on the three dots button to its right, and select Uninstall.
• Now, install a fresh copy of Paint from the Microsoft Store.

Solution 4. Enable Clipboard History

• Click on Start and go to Settings.
• Then, go to System and select Clipboard.
• Here, check if the Clipboard history is turned on. If not, do that.