If you’re trying to copy, paste, or duplicate a source or scene in OBS Studio and nothing happens, you’re not alone. Many users face this issue where OBS doesn’t respond to copy-and-paste commands, either through shortcuts or the right-click menu.

This problem can be caused by small errors like copying the wrong item, permission issues, outdated versions, or even plugin conflicts. The good news is that you can fix it easily by following the steps below.

Why OBS Copy and Duplicate Don’t Work

Why OBS Copy and Duplicate Don’t Work

In OBS, copy and duplicate actions depend on where you’re working inside the Scenes or Sources panel. If you try to paste in the wrong place, OBS won’t respond. Sometimes, the clipboard or a plugin may block the action.

Common causes include:

  • Copying a source and attempting to paste it into the Scenes list instead of the Sources list.
  • Using an old OBS version with copy/paste bugs.
  • OBS not having permission to access clipboard functions.
  • Keyboard shortcuts conflicting with other software.
  • Plugins or scripts interfering with OBS functions.
  • Corrupted configuration files.

How to Fix OBS Can’t Paste or Duplicate Problem

If the copy or duplicate isn’t working in OBS, follow these fixes one by one. Each solution targets a common cause of the issue.

1. Make Sure You’re Copying the Right Item

OBS separates Scenes and Sources, and they can’t be copied interchangeably. You can only paste a source into the Sources area of another scene.

Right-click the source you want to copy, select Copy, then switch to another scene and right-click inside its Sources panel. Choose Paste (Reference) if you want a linked version, or Paste (Duplicate) if you want a separate copy.

If you try pasting into the Scenes panel instead, nothing will happen, so make sure you’re in the right place.

2. Use Right-Click Menu Instead of Hotkeys

Sometimes, the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V don’t work properly due to conflicts or software overlays. Try using the right-click menu instead, it’s more reliable inside OBS.

If you prefer shortcuts, check your hotkey settings:

  1. Open Settings → Hotkeys.
  2. Type “Copy,” “Paste,” or “Duplicate” in the search bar.
  3. Reassign them if they’re blank or conflicting with other actions.

After saving, test again by copying and pasting a source.

3. Check for OBS Version Updates

Older OBS versions sometimes contain bugs that break certain editing features like copy and paste.

To update:

  1. Open OBS.
  2. Go to Help → Check for Updates.
  3. Download and install the latest version.

After updating, restart OBS. In most cases, this immediately restores normal paste and duplicate behavior.

4. Run OBS as Administrator

If OBS doesn’t have permission to access the system clipboard, it may fail to paste. Running the program as an administrator fixes this.

Close OBS completely, then right-click its shortcut and select Run as Administrator. Try copying and pasting again.

If it works now, set OBS to always run as admin by right-clicking the shortcut → Properties → Compatibility → Run this program as an administrator → Save.

5. Reset OBS Configuration

If the problem continues, your configuration files may be corrupted. Resetting them can help OBS rebuild a clean setup.

To reset:

  1. Close OBS.
  2. Navigate to:
    • Windows: C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\obs-studio
    • Mac: /Users/<YourName>/Library/Application Support/obs-studio
  3. Rename that folder to obs-studio-old.
  4. Reopen OBS.

OBS will create a new folder with default settings. You can reimport your old scene collections afterward.

6. Check for Conflicting Plugins or Scripts

If you use extra OBS plugins or scripts, one of them might be blocking copy or paste actions. To test this, temporarily disable all plugins.

Go to the OBS plugins folder (obs-studio/plugins), move the files to another location, and restart OBS. If copy/paste works after that, one of the plugins is the culprit. Add them back one by one to find the conflict.

7. Reinstall OBS Studio

If nothing helps, a full reinstall might fix deeper configuration issues. Uninstall OBS from your system, delete leftover configuration folders, and download the latest installer from the official OBS Project website.

After reinstalling, try the copy and paste functions before adding any plugins or custom profiles.

8. Keep Your Scenes and Sources Organized

To avoid future problems, keep your scenes and sources clearly labeled. When copying items between them, double-check which panel you’re in. Use Paste (Reference) when you want to link sources and Paste (Duplicate) when you want a new copy that can be edited separately.

Conclusion

If you can’t paste or duplicate in OBS, it’s usually caused by a small mistake, copying the wrong element, a permission issue, or a plugin conflict. By updating OBS, checking hotkeys, running it as admin, or resetting settings, you can fix it quickly.

Once you’ve done these steps, OBS should let you copy and duplicate scenes or sources normally again, making your stream setup smooth and efficient.