Basics

9 reasons why Snipping Tool doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)

by Jonathan Dudamel
9 min read

If your screenshots won’t capture or the app won’t open, the most common cause is a software conflict, corrupted app files, or a blocked setting. This article explains what to do when Snipping Tool doesn’t work in Windows 10 and walks you through nine specific causes and fixes so you can get screenshots working again.

You’ll learn quick checks, step‑by‑step repairs (including commands and menu paths), and preventive tips to avoid future problems.

Contents show

Key Takeaway

The fastest fix is to restart Windows Explorer or reboot, then try repairing or reinstalling Snip & Sketch / Snipping Tool; if that fails, run SFC/DISM to fix corrupted system files and check Group Policy or OneDrive settings that may block the tool.

Quick Fix Guide

Quick Fix Guide

Reason for the Problem Quick Solution
Temporary app crash or UI glitch Restart the app or sign out / reboot the PC.
Conflicting screenshot tools Close or uninstall third‑party screenshot apps and disable duplicate hotkeys.
Corrupt Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch files Repair or reset the app in Settings > Apps > Apps & features or reinstall from Microsoft Store.
Corrupted system files Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth from an elevated Command Prompt.
Print Screen / hotkey conflicts Check Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and ensure Use the PrtScn button to open screen snipping is set correctly.
Disabled by Group Policy or Registry Open gpedit.msc or edit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\TabletPC to enable the tool.
Explorer process or clipboard problems Restart Windows Explorer and clear Clipboard via Settings > System > Clipboard.
Recent Windows update bug Install latest updates or uninstall the offending update via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Corrupt user profile or permissions Test with a new local admin account and recreate the profile if necessary.
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Detailed Fixes for “Snipping Tool doesn’t work in Windows 10”

1) Temporary app crash or UI glitch

Why it causes the problem

  • Apps can freeze or fail to register clicks after a rare crash or resource issue.

Step‑by‑step solution

  1. Close the Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch window.
  2. Open Task Manager (press Ctrl+Shift+Esc).
  3. Find Snip & Sketch, SnippingTool.exe, or any process named ScreenSketch; select it and click End task.
  4. Reopen the app from Start or press Windows key + Shift + S to invoke snip.
  5. If it still fails, sign out (Start > profile > Sign out) or restart Windows.

Notes

  • A reboot clears temporary glitches and often fixes the issue quickly.

2) Conflicting screenshot tools or hotkeys

Why it causes the problem

  • Third‑party screenshot utilities (Lightshot, ShareX, Greenshot, OneDrive auto‑save) or background apps may grab hotkeys or block Snipping Tool.

Step‑by‑step solution

  1. Check the system tray (near the clock) for screenshot apps; right‑click and exit or disable them.
  2. Open Settings > Apps > Startup and disable screenshot tools from starting automatically.
  3. If a third‑party tool uses the PrtScn key, open that app and change or disable the hotkey.
  4. Test Snipping Tool by pressing Windows key + Shift + S or opening the app.

Tip

  • Temporarily uninstall one third‑party tool at a time to identify the offender.

3) Corrupt Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch app files

Why it causes the problem

  • App package corruption prevents the app from launching or functioning.

Step‑by‑step solution (repair/reset)

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
  2. In the search box, type Snip or Snip & Sketch and select the app.
  3. Click Advanced options. Try Repair first; if that fails, click Reset.
  4. If problems persist, uninstall and reinstall via the Microsoft Store: open Store, search Snip & Sketch, and install.

PowerShell reinstall (advanced)

  1. Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator.
  2. Remove package:
    Get-AppxPackage ScreenSketch | Remove-AppxPackage
  3. Reinstall from Microsoft Store (recommended) or re-register system apps if needed with caution:
    Add-AppxPackage -register “C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.ScreenSketch_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AppxManifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode

Notes

  • Use the Store reinstall unless comfortable using PowerShell system re‑registration.

4) Corrupted system files (SFC / DISM)

Why it causes the problem

  • Windows components that Snipping Tool depends on may be damaged by file corruption.

Step‑by‑step solution

  1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator (right‑click Start > Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
  2. Run System File Checker:
    sfc /scannow
  3. If SFC reports unrepairable issues, run DISM:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. After DISM completes, run sfc /scannow again.
  5. Restart Windows and test Snipping Tool.

Tip

  • These commands can take 10–30 minutes; do not interrupt them.

5) Print Screen / hotkey mapping or keyboard issues

Why it causes the problem

  • The Print Screen key might not be configured to trigger screen snipping, or a keyboard issue prevents hotkey detection.
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Step‑by‑step solution

  1. Open Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
  2. Ensure Use the PrtScn button to open screen snipping is toggled On if you rely on that key.
  3. Test with a different keyboard or use the on‑screen keyboard to check the key.
  4. If the key is used by another app, change that app’s hotkey or disable it.

Notes

  • Many Windows 10 systems open Snip & Sketch with Windows key + Shift + S, which bypasses Print Screen mapping.

6) Disabled by Group Policy or Registry

Why it causes the problem

  • In enterprise environments or by accident, a policy or registry key can disable Snipping Tool.

Step‑by‑step solution (Group Policy)

  1. Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Tablet PC > Accessories.
  3. Find Do not allow Snipping Tool to run; set it to Not Configured or Disabled.
  4. Run gpupdate /force in an elevated Command Prompt to apply changes.

Step‑by‑step solution (Registry)

  1. Open Registry Editor (press Windows key + R, type regedit, Enter).
  2. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\TabletPC.
  3. If a DisableSnippingTool DWORD exists, set its value to 0 or delete the key.
  4. Restart Windows.

Warning

  • Back up the registry before making changes: File > Export in Registry Editor.

7) Explorer process, clipboard or save location problems

Why it causes the problem

  • If Windows Explorer is unstable, UI elements or save dialogs may not appear; clipboard history or OneDrive redirection can also interfere.

Step‑by‑step solution

  1. Restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager: under Processes, select Windows Explorer and click Restart.
  2. Open Settings > System > Clipboard and toggle Clipboard history off and on; clear clipboard if needed.
  3. Check OneDrive settings: right‑click OneDrive icon > Settings > Backup and uncheck Automatically save screenshots I capture to OneDrive to avoid conflicting saves.
  4. Ensure there is free disk space in C:\Users\\Pictures\Screenshots or your chosen folder.

Tip

  • If Snipping Tool seems to capture but nothing appears, check the clipboard with Windows key + V.

8) Recent Windows update introduced a bug

Why it causes the problem

  • Occasionally an update breaks specific apps or features.

Step‑by‑step solution

  1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates to get fixes.
  2. If the issue started after a specific update, view Update history > Uninstall updates and remove the recent update.
  3. Pause updates temporarily while Microsoft releases a patch: Advanced options > Pause updates.

Notes

  • Check Microsoft’s known issues page or community forums for reports about Snipping Tool and the update version.

9) Corrupt user profile or permissions issue

Why it causes the problem

  • If user profile settings are corrupted, apps may misbehave or lack required permissions.
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Step‑by‑step solution

  1. Create and test a new admin account: Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC. Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account.
  2. Give the new account administrative rights and log in to test Snipping Tool.
  3. If the new account works, consider migrating data to the new profile or repairing the old profile.

Tip

  • Use this to confirm whether the issue is system‑wide or profile‑specific before heavy repairs.

Preventive tips and alternatives (Ajoute une section que tu vois necessaire pour completer l’article)

  • Keep Windows up to date and schedule weekly or monthly checks. (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update)
  • Avoid installing multiple screenshot utilities; pick one that meets your needs.
  • Enable Clipboard history (Settings > System > Clipboard) so you can recover recent snips.
  • Use alternatives when needed: Windows key + Shift + S (Snip & Sketch), Print Screen + paste into Paint, or reputable third‑party tools such as Greenshot or ShareX.
  • Back up the registry and create a System Restore point before making major changes: Control Panel > System > System protection > Create.

FAQ

How can I automatically save every screenshot instead of copying to the clipboard?

Enable OneDrive screenshot saving: open OneDrive settings (system tray) > Backup > Screenshots and turn on Automatically save screenshots I capture to OneDrive; or use a third‑party tool with an auto‑save option.

Why doesn’t Snipping Tool save as PNG by default?

Snipping Tool usually prompts you to save and lets you choose the format; Snip & Sketch copies to the clipboard and lets you export; choose File > Save As and select PNG when saving.

Can I restore deleted snips?

If you used OneDrive or saved to disk, check the Recycle Bin. If only on the clipboard, use Windows key + V (if Clipboard history was enabled) to recover recent copies.

Why doesn’t Snipping Tool appear in Start menu?

It may be uninstalled, disabled by policy, or removed from Start tiles. Reinstall from Microsoft Store or run the repair/reset in Settings > Apps > Apps & features.

What if none of these fixes work?

Try an in‑place upgrade repair of Windows 10 (this keeps files and apps) or contact Microsoft Support if you suspect a deeper OS issue.

Conclusion

Most Snipping Tool problems are fixed by restarting the app or system, repairing/reinstalling the app, or repairing system files with SFC/DISM. If you follow the steps above you should be able to resolve the issue when Snipping Tool doesn’t work in Windows 10 and prevent it from recurring.

About the author

Jonathan Dudamel

Jonathan Dudamel

I'm Jonathan Dudamel, an experienced IT specialist and network engineer passionate about all things Windows. I have deep expertise in Microsoft project management, virtualization (VMware ESXi and Hyper-V), and Microsoft’s hybrid platform. I'm also skilled with Microsoft O365, Azure ADDS, and Windows Server environments from 2003 through 2022.

My strengths include Microsoft network infrastructure, VMware platforms, CMMS, ERP systems, and server administration (2016/2022).

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