Your surefire solutions to taking screenshots again on your PC
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Loredana Harsana
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Loredana is a passionate writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started off writing about mobile phones back when Samsung Galaxy S II was... read more
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Vlad Turiceanu
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- Our users found the print screen feature to not be functioning as expected after installing Windows 11.
- Snipping Tool is a native feature that works well for the most part, with a few minor glitches.
- If pressing the Print screen key doesn't work, you can alternatively try a handy keyboard shortcut that you'll find below.
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Whether you’re using a smartphone, a tablet, or a PC running Windows 11, taking a screenshot of your screen is really useful.
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 appsto 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Another known cause of the error is an outdated keyboard driver.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.
1. Check the date and time set
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Select the Time & Language option in the left pane and select Date & Time from the right panel.
- If the Set time automatically option is switched on, turn it off.
- Select the Change button next to Set date and time manually.
- Change the date to October 31 or before, then set it back to the latest current date.
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
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to launch the Task Manager app.
- Select the Snipping Tool app under the Process tab, and click the End task button at the bottom.
- Now press Windows + S to open the search function and type in snipping tool to re-open it.
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.
3. Update the keyboard driver
- Press the Windows key + X and choose Device Manager from the shortcut menu.
- Expand the Keyboards directory.
- Right-click on Standard PS/2 Keyboard and select Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software and wait for Windows to automatically install the latest driver.
After the update procedure is complete, restart your computer and check to see if the print screen key is now operational.
Most common Windows errors and bugs can result from faulty or incompatible drivers. An outdated system can lead to lags, system issues, or even BSoDs.
You can prevent these problems by using an automatic tool that will search and install the correct drivers on your computer with just a few clicks. That's why we recommend you use Outbyte Driver Updater.Here's how to do it:
- Download and install the Outbyte Driver Updater app.
- Launch the software.
- Wait for the app to detect all incompatible drivers.
- Afterward, it will show you a list of the drivers found to select the ones to Update or Ignore.
- Click on Update & Apply Selected to download and install the newest versions.
- Restart your PC to ensure the applied changes.
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4. Allow the Snipping Tool to run in the background
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app on your PC.
- Select the Apps tab on the left and click on Apps & features from the right panel.
- Use the search box to locate the Snipping Tool app quickly. Now use the three-dot menu on its right side to open Advanced options.
- Under Background apps permission use the dropdown menu to choose Always from the list.
5. Repair the app
- Tap the Windows key + S to open the search function and type in snipping tool.
- Right-click on the top result, and choose App settings.
- Next, navigate to the Reset section and click on the Repair option.
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.
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
- Press the Windows + S keys then search for cmd and right-click on the top result to open it as an administrator and get full privileges.
- Type or paste in the CMD prompt the following command then press Enter:
sfc /scannow
Wait for the procedure to be completed. Restart your computer and run the Snipping Tool software to see if everything is operating properly.
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 <user name> should be replaced with your actual username.
Right-click the Screenshots folder in the photos directory and choose Properties from the popup menu. The next step is to go to the Location tab and press the Move button.
Select the destination folder you want to use as your default screenshot folder in the File Explorer box and click Select Folder.
You’ll get a dialogue box asking if you want to move all of your files from the old location to the new one, you’ll need to select Yes.
Those programs, including Snipping Tool, that used the Screenshots folder to store photographs by default will now use the newly selected destination directory after completing the aforementioned instructions.
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.
This article covers:Topics:
- Windows 11
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FAQs
Print Screen Not Working on Windows 11: How to Fix it? ›
Update the keyboard driver. An outdated or incorrect keyboard driver might cause the Print Screen button not working in Windows. If you have tried the above methods and cannot fix the screenshot issue, you can try updating your keyboard driver.
How do I get my Print Screen to work on Windows 11? ›- Select the window you want to screenshot.
- Press ALT+Print Screen.
- Paste (CTRL+V) into an Office program or app of your choice.
Update the keyboard driver. An outdated or incorrect keyboard driver might cause the Print Screen button not working in Windows. If you have tried the above methods and cannot fix the screenshot issue, you can try updating your keyboard driver.
Why won t Windows 11 let me print? ›To fix a not working printer on Windows 11, use the “Printer” troubleshooter. Alternatively, you can uninstall and reinstall the printer driver to fix common issues. You can also try checking the physical connection, revising the configuration, and resetting the spooler.
How do I force a Print Screen? ›Depending on your hardware, you may use the Windows Logo Key + PrtScn button as a shortcut for print screen. If your device does not have the PrtScn button, you may use Fn + Windows logo key + Space Bar to take a screenshot, which can then be printed.
How do I activate the Print Screen button? ›- Open Settings on Windows 10.
- Click on Ease of Access.
- Click on Keyboard.
- Under the “Print Screen shortcut” section, turn on the “Use the PrtScn button to open screen snipping” toggle switch.
The print screen key says “Print Screen,” “PrtSc,” or “PrtScn,” depending on your keyboard and country. It's typically in the top right corner beside the final F12 key. Note: On some newer keyboards, especially on laptops, you need to hold down the “Fn” or “Function” key while pressing “PrtSc” to capture the screen.
What is the Ctrl Print Screen button? ›Alternatively, you can also use the CTRL + Print Screen screenshot shortcut. Windows creates a screenshot of the whole screen and saves it to the clipboard. Next, open an image editing program like Paint and paste the picture from the clipboard. You can now save it as a file and do basic editing.
How do I get the Print Screen button to work? ›Try pressing the Fn and Print Screen keys at the same time to see if a screenshot is successfully taken with this shortcut. You may also try the Fn + Windows key + Print Screen combination. Check if your Print Screen key is working when you use this key combination.
Does Windows 11 affect printing? ›Windows 11, version 22H2 introduces changes to print components that modify how Windows machines communicate with each other during printing or print related operations. For example, the changes come into effect when you print to a printer shared out by a print server or another computer on the network.