---
id: junk-yard.the-junk-yard-isnt-capturing-anything
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/junk-yard/the-junk-yard-isnt-capturing-anything
category: "Junk Yard"
subcategory: "Troubleshooting the Junk Yard"
question: "Why isn't the Junk Yard capturing anything I copy?"
alt_questions:
  - "Junk Yard not saving copies"
  - "Junk Yard stopped capturing"
  - "Clipboard history empty"
  - "Nothing lands on the Junk Yard"
  - "Junk Yard not working"
short_answer: "Check that Enable Junk Yard on this Mac, the Capturing switch and Watch the clipboard are all on, and that Storage Studio is running. Then copy some text and watch for the green blink."
tags: ["troubleshooting", "capture"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/junk-yard/why-didnt-something-i-copied-show-up", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/junk-yard/what-does-the-capturing-switch-do", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/settings/how-do-i-turn-the-junk-yard-on-or-off"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why isn't the Junk Yard capturing anything I copy?

Something is switched off. Check, in order:

1. Settings → Junk Yard → **Enable Junk Yard on this Mac** is on.
2. The **Capturing** switch in the Junk Yard header is on.
3. **Watch the clipboard** is on in Settings → Junk Yard.
4. Storage Studio is running — its icon is in the menu bar.

Then copy some ordinary text: the menu bar dot should blink green and a new card appear. If only some copies are missing, see [Why didn't something I copied show up?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/junk-yard/why-didnt-something-i-copied-show-up)