The Snipping Tool might not be working for several reasons, often tied to system file corruption, outdated drivers, conflicting software, or issues within Windows settings. To fix this common problem where your Snipping tool stopped working, you usually need to try resetting the app, checking for system updates, or running system file checkers.
This guide offers simple steps to fix Windows screen capture issues. We will help you troubleshoot screen snipping issues so you can get back to taking screenshots easily. If Snip & Sketch not opening, or you see a general screenshot tool error, follow these solutions. We address common capture screen issues Windows 10 and issues when the print screen alternative not working. If you face problems with Windows snipping utility, or wonder why won’t my screenshot tool open, these fixes will help resolve the screen grab feature broken.
Initial Checks: Quick Solutions for Snipping Issues
Before diving deep into complex fixes, let’s check the easy things first. Sometimes, a quick restart or a simple setting check solves the problem right away.
Checking for Simple Conflicts
Other apps can interfere with how the Snipping Tool works.
- Close Other Apps: Close any software that uses screen overlay features. This includes third-party screen recorders or other screenshot utilities. Sometimes, these apps fight over the same screen access rights.
- Restart Your PC: A simple reboot clears temporary glitches in the system memory. If the screenshot tool error is temporary, this often fixes it.
Verifying Keyboard Shortcuts
Make sure the keyboard shortcut isn’t disabled or reassigned.
- Print Screen Key Check: If you rely on the Print Screen key to trigger the snipping feature, ensure that feature is enabled in your settings.
- Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
- Look for the option: “Use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping.” Turn this On.
Deciphering Common Causes for Failure
When the Snipping Tool fails repeatedly, we need to look deeper. The causes usually fall into a few main buckets.
Corrupted Application Files
The files that make up the Snipping Tool or its successor, Snip & Sketch, might get damaged. This is a frequent reason why won’t my screenshot tool open.
Outdated or Faulty Windows Installation
If your operating system is behind on updates, system components might not work well together. This causes many capture screen issues Windows 10.
User Profile Issues
Sometimes, your specific user account settings become corrupted, affecting how apps launch.
Conflicts with Windows Updates or Drivers
A recent Windows update or a graphics driver update might have introduced a bug that breaks the screen capture function.
Fixing Snipping Tool Using Windows Settings
If the tool is not opening, resetting it through the App Settings is the first recommended technical step. This process often resolves cases where the Snipping tool stopped working.
Resetting the Snipping Tool/Snip & Sketch App
This feature allows Windows to clear the app’s data without removing the app itself.
Steps for Resetting the App:
- Open Settings: Press the Windows key + I.
- Go to Apps: Click on Apps (or Apps & features).
- Find the Tool: Scroll down or use the search bar to find Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch.
- Access Advanced Options: Click on the app name, then select Advanced options.
- Try Repair First: Click the Repair button. Test the tool afterward.
- Try Reset If Repair Fails: If the repair doesn’t work, click the Reset button. This clears the app’s data.
If Snip & Sketch not opening, this reset procedure often forces it to start fresh.
Checking for Windows Updates
Keeping Windows updated ensures you have the latest fixes for known bugs, including those causing problems with Windows snipping utility.
How to Update Windows:
- Open Settings (Windows key + I).
- Click on Update & Security.
- Select Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates. Install any available updates, especially quality or feature updates.
- Restart your computer after updating.
Advanced System Troubleshooting Steps
If simple resets and updates fail to resolve the screenshot tool error, we need to use system tools to check for deeper corruption. These steps aim to fix Windows screen capture mechanism itself.
Running the System File Checker (SFC) Scan
The SFC tool scans for and repairs damaged Windows system files. Corrupted files are a prime suspect when the screen grab feature broken.
Executing the SFC Scan:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Search for CMD. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Type the Command: Enter the following command exactly as shown:
sfc /scannow - Wait for Completion: This process can take a while. Do not close the window until you see the message: “Verification 100% complete.”
- Review Results: If SFC found and fixed issues, restart your PC. If it reports it could not fix all errors, proceed to the next step (DISM).
Using the DISM Tool for Deeper Repairs
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool repairs the core Windows image files that SFC relies on. Use this if SFC reports failures or if the print screen alternative not working persists.
Executing the DISM Scan:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator (same as step 1 above).
- Run these three commands one after the other, waiting for each to finish:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - After the
RestoreHealthcommand finishes, restart your computer. This often resolves deep-seated capture screen issues Windows 10.
Re-registering Apps via PowerShell
Sometimes, modern Windows apps like Snip & Sketch lose their registration link within the system. Re-registering them forces Windows to re-establish these connections. This is useful when Snip & Sketch not opening.
PowerShell Re-registration Steps:
- Open PowerShell as Administrator: Search for PowerShell. Right-click and choose Run as administrator.
- Execute the Command: Paste the following command and press Enter. This command specifically targets all built-in modern apps, including Snip & Sketch.
powershell Get-AppxPackage -allusers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} - Wait for Process: You might see some red error text during this process—this is often normal as it tries to re-register apps that don’t apply to your user profile.
- Restart: After the command finishes, restart your computer to finalize the changes.
Exploring Third-Party Screenshot Tools
If the built-in tools continue to fail, it suggests a pervasive issue with your Windows installation that requires major repair. As a quick workaround or permanent switch, consider reliable third-party options while you troubleshoot screen snipping issues.
Popular Alternatives to Snipping Tool
Several excellent tools offer more features than the native Snipping Tool.
| Tool Name | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Greenshot | Lightweight, powerful editing options. | Users needing quick edits post-capture. |
| ShareX | Extensive features, cloud uploads, recording. | Advanced users and power-sharers. |
| Lightshot | Simple interface, fast sharing. | Quick, simple screen captures. |
Using an alternative proves that your screen grab feature broken is isolated to the Windows utility, not your ability to capture the screen generally.
Addressing User Profile and Permissions Errors
If the screenshot tool error only happens when you log in, the problem might be isolated to your user profile settings.
Creating a New Local User Account
Testing with a new account helps determine if your current profile is corrupted.
Steps to Test a New Profile:
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
- Click Add someone else to this PC.
- Create a new local account (you don’t need a Microsoft account for testing).
- Log out of your current account and log into the new one.
- Test the Snipping Tool: If the tool works perfectly in the new profile, your old profile has corruption that requires fixing or migrating your data.
Checking Folder Permissions
The Snipping Tool needs access to specific local folders to save the captures, even temporarily. If permissions are denied, the tool might fail silently, leading to problems with Windows snipping utility.
- While harder to check directly for the Snipping Tool, running the SFC and DISM scans (detailed above) often fixes underlying permission issues related to core system components.
Investigating Software Conflicts and Security Software
Sometimes, antivirus programs or firewalls are overly aggressive and block the screen access needed by the Snipping Tool. This is a common reason why won’t my screenshot tool open on a clean boot.
Temporarily Disabling Security Software
Test the Snipping Tool while your third-party antivirus or security suite is paused.
- Right-click your antivirus icon in the system tray (bottom right corner).
- Look for an option to “Pause Protection” or “Disable Firewall” temporarily.
- Try launching the Snipping Tool.
- Crucially: Remember to re-enable your security software immediately after testing, regardless of the outcome.
If the tool works when security software is off, you need to add an exception for snippingtool.exe or ms-screenclip: within your security software settings.
Performing a Clean Boot
A clean boot starts Windows with only essential Microsoft services running. This isolates third-party software conflicts entirely. If the print screen alternative not working fixes itself here, one of your startup programs is the culprit.
How to Clean Boot:
- Press Windows key + R, type
msconfig, and press Enter. - Go to the Services tab.
- Check the box that says Hide all Microsoft services (This is vital!).
- Click Disable all.
- Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
- In Task Manager, disable every startup item listed there.
- Close Task Manager, click OK in the System Configuration window, and Restart your computer.
After restarting, test the Snipping Tool. If it works, re-enable services and startup items in small batches to pinpoint the conflicting program.
Specific Fixes for Snip & Sketch Errors
If you are using the newer application, Snip & Sketch, which replaced the classic tool for many users, specific fixes apply. If Snip & Sketch not opening, these steps are more direct.
Checking Background App Permissions
Snip & Sketch needs permission to run in the background to provide quick notifications and functionality.
- Go to Settings > Privacy.
- Scroll down the left sidebar to find Background apps.
- Find Snip & Sketch in the list.
- Ensure the toggle switch is set to On (or “Let apps run in the background”).
Reinstalling Snip & Sketch (Advanced)
If repairing and resetting fail, a full removal and reinstallation through PowerShell can fix severe registration failures when dealing with capture screen issues Windows 10.
- Open PowerShell as Administrator.
- Remove the App: Use the command below. Note the exact package name (it might be slightly different based on your Windows build):
powershell Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.ScreenSketch* | Remove-AppxPackage - Reinstall the App: After removal, use the command to fetch it again from the Microsoft Store infrastructure:
powershell Get-AppxPackage -allusers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} - Restart PC.
Summary of Troubleshooting Actions for Print Screen Alternative Not Working
When your primary print screen alternative not working, try these steps in order:
| Priority | Action | Purpose | Keywords Addressed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | App Repair/Reset | Clears temporary app glitches. | Snipping tool stopped working, Snip & Sketch not opening |
| 2 | Windows Update Check | Ensures latest system stability fixes. | Capture screen issues Windows 10 |
| 3 | SFC / DISM Scan | Repairs core Windows system files. | Problems with Windows snipping utility, Screenshot tool error |
| 4 | New User Test | Isolates user profile corruption. | Why won’t my screenshot tool open |
| 5 | Security Software Check | Rules out external blocking agents. | Print screen alternative not working |
| 6 | PowerShell Re-register | Fixes app registration links. | Fix Windows screen capture, Screen grab feature broken |
By systematically moving from simple restarts to advanced system repairs, you should successfully troubleshoot screen snipping issues and restore the functionality of your screen capture utility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: My Print Screen key opens the default Paint program, not the Snipping Tool. How do I change this?
A: This happens if the Use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping setting is turned off. Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and make sure that toggle switch is set to On. This directly controls the behavior of the print screen alternative not working scenario.
Q: I can capture the screen, but I don’t see the notification to edit it. Is the tool broken?
A: This is usually a notification setting issue, not a failure of the capture itself. Check Settings > System > Notifications & actions. Ensure notifications for Snip & Sketch (or Snipping Tool) are turned On. Also, check if Focus Assist (Do Not Disturb) is active, as it blocks notifications.
Q: Can I use the old Snipping Tool if Snip & Sketch refuses to open?
A: In modern versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11, the classic Snipping Tool has often been replaced or supplemented by Snip & Sketch. If both fail, the issue is likely systemic (SFC/DISM required). However, if you search for “Snipping Tool” in the Start Menu, Windows may launch the functional version or redirect you to Snip & Sketch. If you are using a very old Windows version, the classic tool might still be available directly via snippingtool.exe in the Run dialog (Win + R).
Q: Why did my Snipping Tool suddenly stop working after a major Windows update?
A: Major feature updates often rewrite core system files. Sometimes, this process corrupts the necessary dependencies for the capture tools, causing the Snipping tool stopped working immediately after the update. Running the DISM tool (Step 3 in the Advanced Troubleshooting section) is the most effective remedy for post-update failures.