Even though the operating system has a great deal to offer in terms of new functionalities, looks, and interface improvements, its core is not that different from its predecessors. You’ve come to the right place if your screenshot feature or Snipping Tool isn’t working as expected. We’ll walk you through some troubleshooting steps that should get them back up and running. Snipping Tool remains an important utility for taking screenshots on Windows 11 for many of us. Any problems with the app can easily take a toll on productivity. But if the issue persists, you can consider switching to third-party apps to fulfil your screenshot needs.
Why can’t I take screenshots anymore?
If Windows 11 screenshot is not working with either the print screen key or Snipping Tool, it might be because of broken system files. You can fix this by using dedicated software or the built-in Windows repair tool. Another known cause of the error is an outdated keyboard driver. This is especially true if the keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots are not working.
How do I take a screenshot in Windows 11?
Microsoft’s desktop operating system has had a plethora of choices for collecting photographs from your PC’s screen for quite some time, perhaps too many. Fortunately, Windows 11 makes things easier. We’ll show you how to take screenshots on your PC using the new operating system. The ways range from traditional keyboard shortcuts to more modern, powerful tools that allow you to do things like set screenshot timers, edit, and share them. You’ve been able to take a screenshot with the press of a single key since well before Windows 11: PrtSC. Some keyboards spell it out all the way to the bottom of the Print Screen. To copy the entire desktop image to the clipboard, use this key. Then, using any app that accepts pasted images, such as Paint, Paint 3D, or Adobe Photoshop, paste the image in. You may also use PrtSc in conjunction with OneDrive to have it create an image file of your screenshot in it automatically. Because the result is so different from the usual option, it saves you the extra steps of opening an app and pasting it from the clipboard. Windows 11 cleans up the previous screenshot tooling confusion by combining the earlier Snipping Tool with Windows 10’s terrific Snip & Sketch tool. By hitting Windows + Shift + S, you can quickly access the Snipping Tool. You can use that keyboard shortcut to take a screenshot with a rectangular selection, freehand selection, whole window, or full-screen capture. Instead of using the keyboard shortcut, type Snipping in the Start menu and open the program window to employ a timer before snapping the screen.
How do I fix the screenshot tool not working on Windows 11?
1. Check the date and time set
By manually resetting the time and date, the Snipping Tool reconfigures its settings, therefore correcting any potential problems that may have occurred previously.
2. Restart the app
Once the program has been relaunched, you have the option of either closing it or leaving it open in the taskbar. To take screenshots with it, hit the Windows + Shift + S keyboard shortcut combination.
4. Allow the Snipping Tool to run in the background
5. Repair the app
If mending the app doesn’t work, you may try resetting it by going to the same section and hitting the Reset button. It’s worth noting that resetting the app would wipe out all of your data. Disclaimer: this program needs to be upgraded from the free version in order to perform some specific actions.
6. Use other hotkey combinations
If hitting the single PrtSc key does not yield results, you might try the keyboard shortcut buttons listed below: With the Alt key + PrtSc, you can capture the currently chosen window and save it using Paint or another image-editing tool of your choosing. These great free photo editing apps are waiting for you. Even if the list is for Windows 10, most of them may be enjoyed in Windows 11 too. Likewise, a screenshot will be taken by pressing the Windows + PrtSc hotkeys combination, which will be saved to the Screenshots folder with the name Screenshot (NUMBER). This folder can be found in the Pictures folder on your PC. Please keep in mind that on laptops, the combination Fn + Windows + PrtSc should be used.
7. Check the F lock key
Some keyboards contain an F Mode or F Lock key, which can be useful. If they are turned off, the print screen key will not work properly. For the print screen key to function, you must first enable the F Mode or F Lock keys by pressing them.
8. Run the SFC scan
Wait for the procedure to be completed. Restart your computer and run the Snipping Tool software to see if everything is operating properly. SPONSORED
How do I change where screenshots go in Windows 11?
With the Snipping Tool, you might not need to use a third-party screenshot application anymore. Everything on the screen can be simply captured with the built-in app.
The location of screenshots taken with the built-in tool on Windows 11 is this directory: C:\Users<user name>\Pictures\Screenshots
However, you can move the default location to a different folder for easy access or if Windows 11 screenshot is not saving. To begin, use Windows Explorer and navigate to the directory: C:\Users<user name>\Pictures\Screenshots
Please note that
Why is PrtSc not working?
If the PrtSc key is not working, it might be down to the F Mode or F Lock keys on your keyboard. This is because these keys disable the print screen key. Another known cause of the issue is outdated drivers. We have shown how to fix these issues in this guide. So, be sure to check out the solutions. As you can see, certain features in the new OS have changed dramatically, while others haven’t. If you want to learn more about the subject, here’s a full comparison of Windows 10 vs Windows 11. If you are interested in finding out more about screenshot tools, check out our guide on how to take a screenshot in Windows 11. Comment below and tell us the screenshot tool you are using and which solution you found to be the most effective.
Name *
Email *
Commenting as . Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
