How to Fix Excel 2016 Copy and Paste Not Working After Windows Update
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where the copy and paste functions in Excel 2016 no longer work after a recent Windows or Office security update.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel 2016
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Trying to copy and paste data or use the Format Painter in Excel 2016 after installing a system update.
- Observed behavior
- The copy and paste functionality fails entirely in Excel 2016, while it continues to function normally in other Office applications.
Before proceeding, save your current workbooks and ensure you have administrator privileges on your PC, as modifying Windows updates or running PowerShell commands requires elevated permissions.
Restart Excel in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins
Rule out third-party add-in conflicts before attempting to uninstall any system updates.
Press Windows + R on your keyboard, type 'excel /safe', and press Enter to open Excel in Safe Mode.
Try copying and pasting data. If it works normally, the issue is likely caused by an add-in rather than the system update itself.
Navigate to File > Options > Add-ins. Select 'COM Add-ins' from the Manage dropdown at the bottom of the window and click 'Go'.
Uncheck all listed add-ins to disable them and click OK. Restart Excel normally and re-enable the add-ins one by one to identify which one is interfering with the clipboard.
Uninstall the Problematic Security Update via PowerShell
Uninstall the specific Office security update (such as KB5002914) that breaks the copy and paste functionality.
Apply a Custom VBA Macro Workaround
A safe alternative to restore copying and pasting if your organization's IT policy prevents rolling back security patches.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable Spreadsheet Experience
If Microsoft Excel updates frequently disrupt your workflow by breaking basic functions like copy and paste, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, reliable, and free alternative that ensures your work remains uninterrupted.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free software package for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. You can set WPS Spreadsheet as your default application for spreadsheet files.
- 3. Open Your Workbooks: Open your existing Excel workbooks directly in WPS Office. You can immediately copy, paste, and edit your data without compatibility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my copy and paste stop working specifically in Excel 2016?
This issue is typically caused by a specific Office or Windows security update (such as KB5002914) that unintentionally interferes with the standard Windows clipboard object used by Excel 2016, preventing it from functioning correctly.
Will repairing Microsoft Office fix the copy and paste issue?
Repairing Office can resolve issues if the software installation itself is corrupted. However, if the bug is caused by an active system update, a repair won't fix it until the problematic patch is uninstalled or officially patched by Microsoft.
How can I prevent Windows from automatically reinstalling the broken update?
You can temporarily pause Windows Updates in your system settings, or use Microsoft's 'Show or hide updates' troubleshooter tool to hide the specific update until a permanently patched version is released. Avoid completely disabling the update service for security reasons.
Does the Format Painter also break with this Excel update?
Yes, because the Format Painter relies on the same internal clipboard mechanisms in Excel as the copy and paste feature, it usually fails alongside standard copying during this specific update glitch.
