6 Easy Ways to Fix ‘Copying Is Not Allowed on This Webpage’
Copying information from the internet is easy – just copy and paste. However, some websites block copying and right-clicking. You might see an error message like “Copying not allowed” or “Do not copy this site’s content” on your browser.
If you are facing the problem, you are in the right place. We will show you multiple ways to bypass the error on browsers like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
We have instructions for Google Chrome. However, these methods are similar to Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and other popular browsers. Let’s begin.
Note: We advise against copying text from websites that restrict copying content to avoid plagiarism. The methods mentioned below are strictly for educational and troubleshooting purposes only.
1. Install a Browser Extension
Multiple extensions allow you to copy text from websites easily. Install the free extension/add-on for Firefox and run it. Here’s how:
Step 1: Download the extension from the Chrome Web Store or Add-on on Firefox.
Step 2: Click on ‘Add to Chrome’ or ‘Add to Firefox’.
Step 3: Open the website you want to copy text from. Click on the extensions icon, followed by the extension, to activate it.
That’s it! This will help copy text from websites that don’t allow you to do so.
2. Copy Text From the Website’s Source Code
If you can’t copy text from a website, there’s another method. Open the website’s source code and search for the text you want to copy. Follow these steps:
1. Open the webpage you want to copy text from in any browser.
2. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + U or right-click and select “View Source” (or “View Page Source”). This will open the website’s HTML code.
3. Note: Don’t worry about the syntax of the source code. The plain text will be visible in black or white, depending on your device’s theme.
Step 3: Press Ctrl + F on your keyboard to open the search menu.
Step 4: Search for the text you want to copy from the website. Once you find it, copy it as usual.
3. Disable JavaScript
Disabling JavaScript can help fix the issue. When you turn off JavaScript, it may disable the script preventing you from copying text from a website. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Open Chrome, click the three dots icon on the toolbar, and select Settings.
Step 2: Select Privacy and Security on the left pane and open Site settings.
Step 3: Scroll down and click JavaScript.
Step 4: Select ‘Do Not Allow Sites to Use JavaScript’ to disable JavaScript.
Now, go to the webpage you want to copy text from. You should be able to select or right-click and copy the text.
4. Print the Page as a PDF
Retrieve text from a website by downloading the webpage as a PDF file and reading it locally.
To do this:
Step 1: Open the webpage on Chrome (or any browser) and click the three dots icon in the top right corner.
Step 2: Click Print.
To review the text, remove redundant words, and improve its efficiency, here is the revised version:
“Click on the destination, then select ‘Save as PDF’ in Step 3.”
Step 4: Scroll down to click on More Settings. Adjust the scale to complete the text.
Step 5: Additionally, check the box for background graphics to include all elements in your PDF.
Step 6: Click on Print. The PDF will be saved on your PC or Mac.
5. Update the Web Browser
Developers who encounter users unable to copy text from websites should consider the possibility of an issue with the current web browser version or outdated software. To avoid this situation, it is important to always use the latest browser version. Here’s how you can do it in Chrome:
1. Open Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots icon on the toolbar.
3. Select Help.
Step 2: Select ‘About Google Chrome’.
Step 3: In this window, check the status of your Google Chrome version. If it’s not the latest version, you will see an option to update it.
If you use a browser other than Chrome, check the guides below to know how to update it:
– How to update Mozilla Firefox
– Update Microsoft Edge
– How to update the Opera browser
6. Reset Your Browser
Resetting Google Chrome or any other browser restores its settings to default. If misconfiguration prevents you from copying text, this should help solve the issue. Follow these steps to reset your web browser.
Step 1: Open Chrome and click on the three dots icon in the toolbar. Select Settings.
Step 2: Select ‘Reset and Clean up’ in the left pane.
Step 3: Select ‘Restore settings to their original defaults’.
Step 4: Click Reset settings to reset all Chrome settings.
If you encounter the message “copying is not allowed on this webpage,” here’s all you need to know. For more information, refer to the FAQ section.
FAQs on Unable to Copy Text From a Website
1. How to view the clipboard in Google Chrome?
There is no option to access the clipboard in Google Chrome.
2. Why can’t I see selected text on a website?
This is a bug observed in Google Chrome. Try restarting or clearing the browser cache.
Copy Text With Ease
We hope this article helps you fix the error message of copying not allowed. This way, you can retrieve and source information from any website. Once again, we urge you not to copy text from websites that protect their content from copyright infringement.
Read Next
Supreeth is a technology enthusiast dedicated to helping others navigate the digital world. With an engineering background, he offers high-quality support, advice, and suggestions. When he’s not at his desk, he enjoys traveling, playing FIFA, and searching for great movies.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
My articles cover a wide range of topics, from troubleshooting out-of-sync audio on TikTok and managing Firestick devices, to understanding the impact of Capcut on video quality and resolving sound issues on Hisense Roku TVs.
I also delve into more general tech tips, like how to block numbers on landlines or use VPNs without Wi-Fi. My goal is to make technology more accessible and less intimidating for everyone, whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned user. I strive to offer clear, concise, and helpful advice to make your digital experience smoother and more enjoyable.