When using remote desktop to connect to a lightweight cloud server and trying to copy a configuration code or file path from your local computer to the server, you might find that the familiar `Ctrl+C` and `Ctrl+V` functions are completely disabled. Clipboard sharing is a core convenience feature of remote desktop, and its failure is usually not a major malfunction, but rather a minor issue with related services, processes, or configurations. Don't rush to restart the server or reinstall the system; in most cases, a few simple troubleshooting steps will quickly restore this data transfer "shortcut."

Step 1: Check and Ensure the Remote Desktop Connection is Configured Correctly

To troubleshoot, first eliminate the most obvious possibilities. Often, the copy-paste function fails simply because the corresponding option was not selected when establishing the remote desktop connection.

Start the remote desktop client: In Windows, you can search for "Remote Desktop Connection" in the Start menu or run the `mstsc` command to open the client. Click "Show Options": In the lower left corner of the connection window, expand the detailed settings. Switch to the "Local Resources" tab: This is the key location for managing clipboard, drive, printer, and other redirection functions. First, ensure "Clipboard" is selected: In the "Local Devices and Resources" area, ensure the checkbox next to "Clipboard" is selected. If it wasn't selected before, select it and reconnect.

If you are using a third-party client such as Microsoft Remote Desktop (macOS) or FreeRDP, also find and enable options like "Clipboard Redirection" in their connection settings or preferences.

Second step: Restart the "rdpclip.exe" process on the server side.

This is the most classic and effective way to solve this problem. `rdpclip.exe` is a background process in Windows responsible for managing clipboard synchronization in remote desktop sessions. Sometimes this process may stop working properly due to memory leaks, resource conflicts, or unknown errors, causing the clipboard function to "freeze."

You need to perform this operation from within the remote server. Open Task Manager on the remote server's desktop by pressing `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` or right-clicking the taskbar and selecting "Task Manager."

Locate and terminate the process. In the "Processes" or "Details" tab, find the process named `rdpclip.exe`, right-click it, and select "End Task" or "End Process". You might not see it if the process has already stopped working.

Restart the process. Press `Win + R` to open the "Run" dialog box. Type `rdpclip.exe` and press Enter. This will silently restart the clipboard manager. After completing this step, immediately try copying and pasting between your local machine and the remote server; it should now function normally. For convenience, you can also write the command to restart this process into a simple batch file and place it on the server desktop for future use:

``batch

@echo off

taskkill /f /im rdpclip.exe >nul 2>&1

start rdpclip.exe

echo RDP clipboard process has restarted. Please try copying and pasting again.

``batch`

@echo off

taskkill /f /im rdpclip.exe >nul 2>&1

start rdpclip.exe

echo RDP clipboard process has restarted. Please try copying and pasting again.

` ... Pause

Step 3: In-depth Inspection and Repair of System Services and Components

If the first two steps fail to resolve the issue, a more in-depth inspection may be necessary. Perform the following operations as an administrator on the remote server:

Check and ensure the relevant services are running. Press `Win + R`, type `services.msc` to open the Services management console. Locate the "Remote Desktop Services" service (which may be called "Terminal Services" in older versions of Windows). Ensure its status is "Running" and its startup type is "Automatic". Restart the service if necessary. Also, check the "ClipBook" service (if it exists), but note that in modern Windows Server, clipboard functionality primarily relies on `rdpclip.exe` rather than this service.

Use the System File Checker to scan. Open a command prompt or PowerShell window as an administrator. Type the command

sfc /scannow

and press Enter. This command will scan and attempt to repair all protected system files, including components that may be related to remote desktop functionality. The entire process may take some time; please wait patiently for it to complete.

To confirm via Group Policy (applicable to Windows Server or Professional and above), press `Win + R`, type `gpedit.msc` to open the Local Group Policy Editor. Navigate to: `Computer Configuration` -> `Administrative Templates` -> `Windows Components` -> `Remote Desktop Services` -> `Remote Desktop Session Host` -> `Device and Resource Redirection`. Locate the policy "Disallow clipboard redirection" on the right. Ensure it is set to "Not Configured" or "Disabled". If it is mistakenly set to "Enabled", it will forcibly disable the clipboard function, and you will need to change it back.

Most failures of the remote desktop copy-paste function on lightweight cloud servers are minor issues that can be quickly fixed. By following the steps of "checking connection configuration first, restarting critical processes, and then checking system services", you can usually resolve the problem within minutes. To reduce the occurrence of such situations, cultivate two good habits: first, avoid performing clipboard operations on large files before disconnecting the remote connection; second, regularly install important system updates for the server to maintain the stability of core components.