How to Fix No Manipulations with Clipboard Allowed Error on Mac

Getting the No manipulations with clipboard allowed error on Mac?

Duplicating and moving texts, files, and other documents between applications and devices has never been so easy. When you copy something on your Mac, it temporarily gets stored in a virtual clipboard until the computer is shut down. You can then go to the desired location and paste the items with quick keyboard shortcuts.

But despite how much convenience Apple provides its users, there will always be instances when they encounter issues with the features. One such example is getting the No manipulation with clipboard allowed error on Mac, which prevents you from pasting the copied content onto other locations.

So, why are you getting this error message, and how exactly are you supposed to fix it? Well, some possible causes include bug-ridden or outdated operating software, malfunctioning system processes, virus or malware attacks, and more. You can go through the listed methods to resolve the issue in no time.

So without further delay, let’s get straight to it!

1. Restart Your Mac.

If you’re receiving the No manipulations with clipboard allowed error on Mac, simply restart your device. This will eliminate any temporary bugs and errors within your system. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. First, click on the Apple icon from your desktop.
2. Then, select Restart from the drop-down menu.

2. Update the macOS.

Updating your software once in a while is recommended to enhance user experience and fix any problem you might be facing. So, if you’re getting the No manipulations with clipboard allowed error, we suggest you check for a macOS update and install if there’s one available.

Follow the steps below to do it:

1. Click on the Apple menu at the screen’s top left corner.
2. Then, select System Preferences.

3. Once the System Preferences window opens, look for Software Update and click on it.

4. If there are pending updates available, click on the Upgrade Now button next to the update.

Once the update is finished, check to see if the problem has been resolved.

3. Remove Third-Party Clipboard Managers.

Although third-party clipboard apps can make copy-pasting an easy task, they may cause hindrance in the Pboard processes and result in No manipulations with clipboard allowed error on Mac. 

To fix this problem, consider uninstalling any third-party clipboard managers you may have downloaded from the App Store. 

4. Restart the Pboard Process.

The Pboard process allows you to copy and paste data between documents and is responsible for the entire clipboard functionality. Sometimes, this process may not work as intended and cause various errors, such as No manipulations with clipboard allowed error on Mac. 

In such cases, you can restart the Pboard process to fix the issue at hand. Here’s how to do it via Activity Monitor:

1. Open Launchpad from the dock.
2. Then, type Activity Monitor in the search bar.

3. Click on the app to open it.
4. Once the window opens, search for pboard in the search bar at the screen’s top right corner.
5. Next, double-click on pboard from the results.

6. A new window will open on the screen. Click on the Quit button.

7. Then, click on Force Quit to confirm the action.

You may also reset the Pboard process via Terminal. Here’s how:

1. Go to Launchpad from the dock.
2. Next, type Terminal in the search bar.
3. To open the app, click on it.
4. After the window opens, type out the following command and press the Enter key:

sudo killall board

5. Next, you will need to enter your Mac’s password.
6. Again, press the Enter key and check if the issue is fixed.
   
   

5. Run Maintenance Scripts.

Maintenance scripts run in the background of your Mac to delete unnecessary processes and system logs from the system. Sometimes, these scripts may not run properly and cause problems within the system. 

To resolve this issue, you may manually run these maintenance scripts on your Mac. Follow the instructions below to do it:

1. Launch Spotlight by pressing the Command + Spacebar shortcut keys
2. Then, type Terminal in the search field.
3. Once the window opens, type out the following command and press Enter:

sudo periodic daily weekly monthly

4. Enter your Mac’s password when required.
   
   

6. Rebuild the Launch Services Database.

1. First, open Terminal through Launchpad.
2. Then, paste the following command:

/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain u -domain s -domain l -v

3. Press the Enter key to run the command.
   
   

7. Delete Cache Files.

Cache files are temporary data files that allow your system to run quickly on successive launches. However, if the cache gets full, it may cause your apps not to function properly and result in several problems. Hence, it’s recommended to delete the cache once in a while. 

Follow the instructions below to do it:

1. First, launch Finder from the dock.
2. Then, click on the Go tab at the top left corner.
3. Next, press and hold down the Option key and click on Library from the menu.

4. Finally, go to the folder named Caches and delete its contents.

8. Restart WindowServer.

WindowServer processes control various components of your Mac, including the graphical interface, etc. If these processes don’t function properly, several problems can arise within the system, such as the one you’re facing. In such cases, various users have reported that resetting the WindowServer has fixed the No manipulations with clipboard allowed error on Mac. 

So, follow the steps below to Restart WindowServer:

1. First, open Spotlight on your Mac.
2. Then, type Activity Monitor in the search bar.
3. Once the window opens, search for WindowServer.

4. Double-click on the result that appears.
5. On the new window that appears, click on the Quit option.

6. After that, click on Force Quit again.
   
   

9. Contact Apple Support.

If the solutions mentioned in this guide didn’t resolve the problem, we suggest you contact the nearest Apple store. The experts there will provide assistance in fixing the issue. 

This concludes our guide on how to fix no manipulations with clipboard allowed error Mac. If you have any questions or suggestions, utilize the comments section below. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can. 

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