Open Settings → System → Clipboard and turn on Clipboard history. Copy a short line of plain text, then press Windows + V. If regular paste works and the line is missing from history, check whether history is enabled. If the line appears but an older item is gone, check whether you restarted or the list filled up.
01Test with a line you just copied
Section linkOpen Notepad, type a short line such as clipboard test, select it and copy it with Ctrl + C. Paste it onto a blank line with Ctrl + V, then press Windows + V. If regular paste works but the history panel never opens, press Windows + I and see whether Settings opens. That helps you tell a problem with the Windows key from one with this shortcut.
02Turn on history on this PC
Section linkOpen Settings → System → Clipboard and turn on Clipboard history. If Windows + V opens a panel with a Turn on button, you can enable it there. Copy your test line again after enabling history. The separate option for syncing across devices can stay off while you test on this PC.
03Check why a particular item is missing
Section linkIf your test line appears, check what you originally copied. Microsoft lists text, HTML and bitmap images as supported, with a limit of 4 MB per item. Copying a file in File Explorer is a different test. History keeps up to 25 entries. Older unpinned entries can fall off the list, and restarting clears unpinned entries. Pin an item you want to keep from its menu in the panel.
04Use the result to decide what to check next
Section linkIf Windows + I also fails, check the Windows key before changing clipboard settings again. If the history toggle is unavailable on a managed work or school PC, ask the administrator about it. If local history works and you only have trouble seeing items on another PC, check the separate sync setting and whether both PCs use the same account.