4 Ways to Fix Windows Not Taking Screenshots

Quick Tips

• OneDrive default settings allow it to take and upload screenshots to the cloud.
• Multiple screenshot tools may interfere with hotkeys.
• The snipping tool can perform HDR color correction for screenshots.

Fix 1: Close Interfering Apps

We often install multiple screenshot software, each taking over the Print screen shortcuts. If that is the case, you can uninstall the rest of the apps and use only one or close the app you don’t want to use from running in the background.

Cloud storage apps like Dropbox, OneDrive, and the Windows Snipping Tool are commonly responsible for this interference. Some users have also reported that closing third-party snipping tools and photo editing apps helped restore their PC’s screenshot functionality.

Step 1: Open the Windows Task Manager using the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut.

Step 2: Scan through the Apps and Background processes list and close any active cloud storage or photo editing app preventing your Windows PC from taking screenshots.

Step 3: To close an app from the Windows Task Manager, right-click on it and click on End task.

Try taking a screenshot after closing these apps and check if it works.

Fix 2: Modify Cloud Drive Settings

Apps from Dropbox, OneDrive, and others have an option to instantly take a screenshot and save it on the cloud when you press the Print screen key.

So, if you press the hotkey but don’t see anything happening, it is possible that the screenshots are being saved elsewhere on your PC.

Here is how to disable it on OneDrive. Other apps have similar settings that you can turn off.

Step 1: Right-click the OneDrive icon at the bottom-right corner of your PC’s taskbar.

Step 2: Next, click on Settings. That will open a new OneDrive Settings window.

Step 3: Toggle off the Save screenshots I capture to the OneDrive option.

Take screenshots and check if they are visible in your PC’s default screenshot folder.

On Dropbox, you must go to Preferences > Backups and toggle off Screenshots.

Fix 3: Enable Print Screen for Screen Snipping

If pressing the Print screen button doesn’t do anything, including saving the screen to a cloud app, you can set it to launch the Snipping tool.

Step 1: Press Win + S, type snipping, and click to launch the Snipping tool.

Step 2: Click on the three-dot menu > select Settings.

Step 3: Scroll to find the Shortcuts section and click on Change in Windows settings link to open the Keyboard settings of the Accessibility section.

Step 4: Toggle on Use the Print screen key to open screen capture.

Fix 4: Use Print Screen + Hotkey Combinations

If you use a professional screenshot tool that offers varied features, check the hotkey combination of these tools. You will usually find combinations such as Alt + PrtScn or Win + PrtScn. Some of these hotkeys allow you to instantly capture the active windows, or select an area on the screen, and so on.

FAQs

Does the Print Screen Key Work Without Any Tool?

Yes, and if you want to check, use Ctrl + V in any image editor. You should see the same content you had when you pressed the Print screen key. Pressing Print Screen captures an image of your entire screen and copies it to the Clipboard in your computer’s memory.

What Are the Popular Keyboard Shortcuts for Taking Screenshots?

Windows Logo Key + PrtScn and Fn + Windows logo key + Space Bar are the most popular keyboard shortcuts used on PCs and Laptops.