Snipping Tool Not Working on Windows 10? here what to do

Snipping tool not working on Windows 10 it shows a black screen or blank screen instead of the actual screenshot? Here how to fix the problem

Snipping Tool in Windows 10 allows the users to take snapshots of their screen and save or print it directly from the interface. But sometimes you might experience the Snipping tool not working, it shows a black screen or blank screen instead of the actual screenshot. However, some users have reported a snipping tool shortcut not working issue in Microsoft Community Forums.

After upgrading to Windows 10 the screenshot shortcut (Windows key + Prt Scr) stopped working. I’ve tried to look for a setting but I haven’t found anything related.

There may be another software having conflicts with the Snipping Tool, to the Snipping tool may not work properly when some related system files are damaged. Whatever the reason here few solutions help fix the problem.

Snipping tool not working

Let’s first restart your PC that probably fixes if temporary glitch causing the problem

Relaunch the Snipping Tool

If the Snipping Tool doesn’t work properly you may kill the Snipping Tool and restart it.

  • Press “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” on the keyboard together to show the Task Manager.
  • Find and kill the SnippingTool.exe, then relaunch it for a try.

Find out the Conflicting Software

You may try to find if there is any software on your computer conflicting with Snipping Tool. A clean boot helps find and fix if third-party software conflicts cause the issue.

  • Press the Windows logo and “R” on the keyboard together, type “msconfig”, then press “Enter”;
  • In the System Configuration window, click on “service”, mark “Hide all Microsoft services” below the window, then stop the suspected services, especially related to the newly-installed software.
  • Once done click, ok and apply,
  • Now restart your PC and check if this helps fix the problem.

Run system file checker

Another thing you can try is to fix Snipping Tool with “sfc /scannow” command, which scans and restore missing system files with the correct ones.

  • Press Windows logo+”R” on the keyboard together, type “cmd”, then tap “Enter”;
  • Type sfc /scannow in the command line, and press “Enter”;
  • this will start scanning for missing corrupted system files if found any the SFC utility automatically restores them with the correct one.
  • Once done restart your PC to apply the changes.
  • Now press Windows key + R, type “snippingtool.exe” and click ok to check whether the tool is fixed. If the tool launched successfully, make a shortcut to verify it.

Check Shortcut Key Properties

  1. From the desktop, right-click on the Snipping Tool icon and select Properties.
  2. If you don’t have the shortcut in the desktop, type the snipping tool in the search bar. Right-click on Snipping Tool Icon and select Open File Location.
  3. Right-click on the Snipping Tool icon and select Properties.
  4. In the Properties window, click on the Shortcut tab.
  5. In the Shortcut Key: field, if it shows as None that means you don’t have any shortcut keys set to access the tool.
  6. Click on None and press any key on your Keyboard. Note that you cannot use Windows Key + S combination as it is reserved for something else already.
  7. Click on Apply and OK to save the changes.
  8. Close the properties window and press the Shortcut key that you assigned to launch the Snipping tool and you should be able to access the tool without any issues.

Use the New Snip and Sketch Tool

  1. Microsoft is trying to replace the Snipping Tool with the new Snip and Sketch app. As a result, Microsoft has now dedicated the Shift + Windows Key + S shortcut to the new Snipping Tool.
  2. Press the Shift + Windows Key + S shortcut key and you should be able to access the new Snip and Sketch tool.
  3.  Alternatively, if you don’t want to use the long Shift + Windows Key + S  combination to open the Snip and Sketch tool, you can use the PrtSc (Print Screen) key to do the same. Here is how to do it.
  4. Click on Start and select Settings.
  5. Click on Ease of Access.
  6. Under the “Interaction” section, click on Keyboard.
  7. Scroll down to Print Screen Shortcut and enable “Use the PrtScn button to open screen sniping” option.
  8. That’s it. If you press the PrtSc key on your keyboard, it will open the Snipping Tool.

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