macOS Big Sur, no paste option after copying file

It works for me:

If you don't get that Paste option near the top of the contextual menu boot into Safe Mode by booting with the Shift key held down and check there to see if the problem persists.  Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

Thanks for reaching out SimonPlatten,

It sounds like you're having trouble pasting items you've copied to the clipboard, and we'd like to help.

Are you trying to copy a file in Finder, and paste it into another location in Finder, or paste it into an app?

Are you able to copy and paste content within a document by right clicking?

Is there any result if you try to paste using a keyboard shortcut? We ask just to help us isolate the behavior. The following page provides info on keyboard shortcuts: Mac keyboard shortcuts

We look forward to hearing back from you!

Trying to use Copy & paste to add .mov files on iMac from Mac Book Air via home network. Did this successfully 8 times - files about 3GB each. Now won't offer Paste as an option, and cmd V doesn't work either. Drag & drop not working either.

Please keep replies simple for me. Help greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your reply. I wasn't able to drag the files - couldn't 'pick them up'. So was using right click to reach copy and paste. Inconsistent behaviour - re-boot seemed to allow copy & paste for a few files, and then not. Just had to accept it, took me about 4 days when I could make it work. Was using LAN because I wasn't able to connect 2015 iMac to new MacBook Air, using a USB (in Mac) to a USB-C (in Air). Didn't seem to recognise any connection. Tried two leads, same thing. I realised I could use the LAN (believe me, that was quite something for me. I am a driver, not a mechanic :)), and I managed eventually. Thanks for trying to help.

I just upgraded from Catalina to Big Sur on a MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019). In Catlina, I could click on a file in Finder, rt.click Copy (file-name) then locate a different folder, rt.click on folder and was offered Paste Item. Which gave me a copy in the new folder as we as the old folder. Under Big Sur, Paste Item is not offered as an option. Why not?

Big Sur is a more of a Big Problem for me so far. I also cannot right click on my Apple mouse to copy a line of text or a note. I have to COMMAND + C....and it's pretty frustraiting. I started back up in SAFE mode which fixed other issues but not this. It is still there, right? How do I fix this issue?

Try rebooting both machines. Have you tried just dragging and dropping the file from the source machine to the destination machine after they are connected via the LAN rather than copy and paste?

I found that I have the same problem. I noticed that Ad Blocker appears at the bottom

of the contextual menu. I turned it off and the Paste command came back,

Well, I wish I could have been more help, but I'm happy that you got a handle on it.

Same issue. Right click allows me to "copy". Another right click does not show "Paste" option.. help!