If your Snipping Tool is not opening, it means Windows has trouble starting the capture program. When the screenshot tool won’t start, it stops you from taking quick pictures of your screen. This article will help you fix these common Windows capture tool issues. We will look at why your screen capture tool is broken and how to solve problems if Snip & Sketch is not working. We aim to fix screen snipping tool errors so you can launch the snipping tool again.
Simple Fixes to Try First
Sometimes, the problem is very small. Before diving into deep settings, try these easy steps. These quick checks solve many issues where the screenshot tool won’t start.
Restart Your Computer
This is the oldest trick, but it works often. Restarting your PC clears out temporary glitches in memory. These small errors can stop programs, like the Snipping Tool, from launching.
Check for Windows Updates
Microsoft often releases fixes for known bugs. If your Windows is out of date, it might have an old bug stopping the tool.
- Go to Settings.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Select Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates. Install anything pending.
Run the Troubleshooter
Windows has built-in tools to find and fix problems. This can help with Windows capture tool issues.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security (or System in newer Windows versions).
- Find Troubleshoot.
- Look for Apps or Program troubleshooters and run them.
Deeper Checks When Snipping Tool Fails
If the simple steps do not work, the problem might be deeper in the system files or app settings. Here is how to check if you cannot launch snipping tool due to app corruption.
Repair or Reset the App
Both the classic Snipping Tool and the newer Snip & Sketch not working version are treated as Windows apps. You can try to repair them first. If that fails, resetting the app clears its data, forcing a fresh start.
Steps to Repair or Reset:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Apps.
- Find Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch in the list.
- Click on it, then select Advanced options.
- You will see Repair. Click it first. Wait a few minutes.
- If it still fails, click Reset.
Be warned, resetting might clear any custom settings you made for the tool, though it rarely saves user data.
Check User Account Permissions
Sometimes, specific user profiles get corrupted settings. If you can log in as a different user, try launching the tool there. If it works for the other user, your main account profile has a problem.
Fixing Errors Related to Snip & Sketch
Microsoft has largely replaced the old Snipping Tool with Snip & Sketch. If this newer tool shows screen capture tool errors, the steps below focus on it.
Re-registering the App Package
When an app stops responding, you might need to re-register its package using PowerShell. This forces Windows to re-link the app to the system. This is a key step if the screen snipping tool not responding consistently.
How to Re-register Snip & Sketch:
- Right-click the Start button.
- Select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
- Type the following command carefully, then press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.ScreenSketch | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} - Wait for the command to finish. It might show some red text, but usually, it fixes the issue if the tool is registered incorrectly.
- Restart your PC after running the command.
Checking the File System Integrity
If system files are damaged, many Windows features fail. This can explain why is my screen capture tool broken. Use the System File Checker (SFC) to scan for and repair corrupt files.
Using SFC:
- Open Command Prompt as an Administrator.
- Type:
sfc /scannow - Press Enter. This scan takes time. Do not close the window until it says it is 100% done and reports any repairs made.
Advanced Troubleshooting for Launch Failures
If you still cannot launch snipping tool or Snip & Sketch, we need to look at deeper system conflicts.
Conflicting Third-Party Software
Other software designed for screen capture or desktop enhancement can interfere. Tools like gaming overlays, custom desktop managers, or even some antivirus programs can block the built-in Windows tools.
- Temporarily disable your antivirus/firewall. See if the tool works then. If it does, you need to add an exception for the Snipping Tool/Snip & Sketch in your security software settings.
- Perform a Clean Boot. This starts Windows with only essential Microsoft services. If the tool works in a clean boot, a non-Microsoft startup item is the cause. You can then re-enable items slowly to find the culprit.
Registry Errors
The Windows Registry holds settings for every program. Errors here can stop an application from starting. Fixing snipping tool problems sometimes means checking or cleaning the registry, but this is risky. Only proceed if you are comfortable backing up the registry first.
We look for keys related to the application that might be pointing to wrong locations or have corrupted values. This is highly technical and usually only necessary if other methods fail.
When Everything Else Fails: Using Alternatives
If you have tried all the fixes and your Snipping Tool not opening remains an issue, it is time to switch. Windows offers excellent snipping tool alternatives for Windows built right in, or you can use trusted third-party apps.
Using the Print Screen Key Shortcuts
Windows has powerful built-in shortcuts that bypass the need to open the app first.
| Shortcut | Action | Where it Goes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Key + Print Screen | Captures the entire screen. | Saves directly to your Pictures > Screenshots folder. |
| Alt + Print Screen | Captures only the active window. | Copies to your clipboard. |
| Windows Key + Shift + S | Opens the Snip & Sketch capture interface directly (even if the main app won’t open). | Copies to clipboard and shows a notification to edit. |
If the full Snip & Sketch not working, the Windows Key + Shift + S combination often works because it calls a different, more basic component of the capture system.
Excellent Snipping Tool Alternatives for Windows
If your primary goal is simply to take a screenshot, these tools offer more features and reliability.
1. LightShot
This is a very popular, lightweight tool.
- Pros: Fast, easy area selection, built-in online sharing features.
- Cons: Third-party software installation required.
2. Greenshot
Greenshot is open-source and highly customizable.
- Pros: Excellent for professional use; allows saving directly to files, clipboard, or external editors.
- Cons: Interface might feel slightly dated to some users.
3. ShareX
For power users, ShareX is the ultimate capture utility.
- Pros: Records video, takes scrolling screenshots, extensive workflow automation options.
- Cons: High learning curve due to many features.
If you are dealing with persistent screen capture tool errors and need a reliable snapshot immediately, installing one of these highly-rated snipping tool alternatives for Windows provides a quick workaround.
Grasping System Requirements and User Profile Integrity
For the Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch to work, your Windows installation needs to be healthy. Let’s review requirements and profile health.
Current Windows Version Check
Older versions of Windows (like very early releases of Windows 10) might have had bugs that have since been patched. Ensure you are running at least a relatively recent build.
- The Snipping Tool is standard on Windows 7 and 8.
- Snip & Sketch is standard on Windows 10 and 11.
If you are running an old version, upgrading might solve the issue where the screenshot tool won’t start.
Checking for Corrupted User Profiles
A user profile holds all your personal settings. If this profile becomes damaged, many applications fail to load correctly, leading to screen snipping tool not responding.
Creating a New Local User Account:
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
- Click Add someone else to this PC.
- Create a new account (you can make it local for testing).
- Log out of your current account and log into the new one.
- Test the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch.
If it works perfectly on the new account, you have confirmation that your old profile is the source of the Windows capture tool issues. Migrating your files to the new, healthy profile is the best long-term solution.
Diagnosing Specific Error Messages
Sometimes, the system provides a clue when the Snipping Tool not opening. Look closely at any error boxes that appear.
“App Not Ready” Errors
These often relate to background installation processes. Windows Store apps need to finish setup before they run. Running the Troubleshooter (mentioned earlier) usually addresses this.
Performance Issues Leading to Timeouts
If your PC is very slow or under heavy load (high CPU/RAM usage), the operating system might time out waiting for the app to launch. This results in the tool simply failing without a clear message, making it seem like the screenshot tool won’t start randomly.
- Use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
- Check the Performance tab. If CPU or Memory is constantly near 100%, close unnecessary programs before trying to launch the capture tool again.
Fathoming Why Screen Capture Tool Errors Occur
Why does this core tool break in the first place? Most failures stem from three areas:
- Update Interference: A buggy Windows update installed a faulty version of the app package.
- System File Damage: General system issues (like disk errors or malware) damaged the files the tool relies on.
- Conflicting Software: Another program grabs the necessary system hooks before the Snipping Tool can, blocking its launch.
When we try to fix snipping tool problems, we are essentially trying to undo one of these three scenarios.
Review of Essential Steps to Launch Snipping Tool
Here is a summarized checklist for when you cannot launch snipping tool:
| Step | Purpose | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Restart PC | Clears temporary memory glitches. | Medium |
Run Win + Shift + S |
Bypasses the main app launch; tests core capture function. | High |
| Repair/Reset App | Fixes minor application corruption. | Medium |
Run sfc /scannow |
Checks and repairs core Windows files. | Medium-High |
| Re-register App (PowerShell) | Forces Windows to link the app correctly. | High |
| Test New User Account | Isolates profile-specific corruption. | High |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is my Snipping Tool showing a blank screen?
A: A blank screen often means the tool started but failed to draw the interface correctly. This is usually due to graphics driver issues or conflicts with overlay software. Try updating your display drivers. If that fails, try the Windows Key + Shift + S shortcut, as this bypasses the main application interface that might be failing to load.
Q: Can I use the old Snipping Tool instead of Snip & Sketch?
A: Yes, if you are on Windows 10, the original Snipping Tool still exists in the system folders, though Microsoft encourages using Snip & Sketch. If Snip & Sketch is causing screen capture tool errors, you might be able to launch the original tool by searching for “SnippingTool.exe” directly in the Start menu search bar.
Q: What complex word means the tool won’t respond?
A: If the tool is stuck and won’t do anything, we say it is “non-responsive.” This is what happens when the screen snipping tool not responding.
Q: Does using a screen capture tool affect my PC speed?
A: Taking a single screenshot has almost no effect on speed. However, some advanced snipping tool alternatives for Windows that record video or manage massive libraries of images might use more resources when running in the background.
Q: How do I know if my Snip & Sketch files are corrupt?
A: If you have persistent issues where Snip & Sketch not working after simple restarts, or if repairing the app does not help, the application package itself is likely corrupt. Re-registering the package via PowerShell is the primary fix for corruption.
Q: If I uninstall and reinstall Snipping Tool/Snip & Sketch, will it work?
A: Since these are core Windows components, you cannot easily “uninstall” them from the Apps list like regular programs. You can only reset them or re-register them using the PowerShell command provided. A full operating system repair might be necessary if re-registration fails.