Fix: Windows Snipping Tool Shortcut not Working

The shortcut of the Snip & Sketch application (i.e., Windows + Shift + S) might not work if the installation of the Snip & Sketch application is corrupt. Moreover, the wrong configuration of the system notifications may also cause the error under discussion.

The issue arises when the user tries to use the shortcut of the Snip & Sketch application to take the screenshot but the shortcut does not launch Snip & Sketch with the screenshot although some users were able to paste the screenshot (which was copied in the clipboard) into an image processing application like MS Paint. The issue is mainly reported after a Windows update.

Before moving on with the solutions to fix the snipping tool, make sure your keyboard is not in the gaming mode (due to which Windows key will not operate).

Solution 1: Restart the File Explorer

The shortcut might not work as intended if the File Explorer of your system is stuck in an error state. In this context, restarting the File Explorer through the Task Manager may solve the problem.

1. Launch the Quick Access menu by pressing Windows + X keys and select the Task Manager.

   

2. Now, right-click on the Windows Explorer and select Restart.

   

3. Then check if the snipping tool shortcut is working fine.
4. If not, then check if restarting your system solves the problem.

Solution 2: Update the Windows and Snip & Skitch App to the Latest Release

Windows snipping tool shortcut might not work if the OS of your system or the app itself is outdated as it can create incompatibility between the app and OS. In this case, updating the OS and app may solve the problem.

1. Update the OS of your system to the latest release (make sure no optional update is left pending) and then check if the snipping tool shortcut issue is resolved.
2. If not, then launch Microsoft Store and search for Snip & Sketch in the search bar (near the top right of the window).

   

3. Now open the result of Snip & Sketch and then check if an update available for it. If so, then update Snip & Sketch and check if the shortcut issue is resolved.

Solution 3: Disable the Focus Assist

Many users tend to enable the Focus Assist feature of their systems to avoid undue interruptions. But this feature does break the operation of the snipping tool shortcut and thus cause the issue at hand. In this scenario, disabling the Focus Assist may solve the problem.

1. Right-click on the Action Center icon in the system’s tray (on the right of the system’s clock) and select Focus Assist (in the menu shown).
2. Now, in the sub-menu, choose Off and check if the snipping tool is working fine. If it is already off, then toggle it to Alarms Only and then revert it to off to check if sorts out the issue.

   

3. If the issue is still there, then click on the Action Center icon and then right-click on the Focus Assist.
4. Now select Go to Settings and then click Customize Your Priority List (in the Priority Only option), even if you have turned off the Focus Assist.

   

5. Then check if Snip & Sketch is present under Apps.

   

6. If the application is not there, then click on Add an App, and in the list of apps shown, add Snip & Sketch.

   

7. Then check if the Snip & Sketch shortcut is working fine.

Solution 4: Use the Notifications Panel

In the newer version of Snip & Sketch, the screenshot taken is shown in the notifications center. So, the shortcut might be working (i.e., it is creating the screenshot) but could not show it in the notifications center if the notifications are disabled. In this case, enabling the notifications may solve the problem.

1. Take a screenshot using the shortcut and click on the Action Center icon to check if the screenshot is shown in the notifications (you may have to clear other notifications till the notification from Snip & Sketch is shown).

   

2. If the screenshot is not shown in the notifications, click on the Action Center icon and select All Settings.

   

3. Now open the System and select Notifications & Actions (in the left pane).
4. Then, in the right pane, toggle the switch of “Get Notifications from Apps and Other Senders” (under Notifications) to on position.

   

5. Now, scroll down and under the Get Notifications from These Senders, make sure Snip & Sketch is enabled.

   

6. Then check if the Snip & Sketch shortcut is working fine.
7. If not, then press the Windows key and search for Background Apps. Then select Background Apps.

   

8. Now make sure that the Snip & Sketch is allowed to operate in the background and then check if the shortcut issue is resolved.

   

Solution 5: Clean Boot Your System

The snipping tool shortcut may cease to operate if any of the installed applications on your system are hindering the operation of the application or its shortcut. In this case, clean booting the system may solve the problem.

1. Clean boot your system and check if the snipping tool shortcut is working as intended.
2. If so, then enable the disabled services/applications (during the clean booting process) one by one and check which one was creating the issue. Once the problematic service/application is identified, you may have to dig deeper to make Snip & Sketch work in the presence of the problematic application/service.

Solution 6: Install the Snip & Sketch Application from the Microsoft Store

Many users tend to use automated scripts or applications to remove Windows built-in Apps or features. You may encounter the error at hand if the Snip & Sketch application was removed from your system (either intentionally or unintentionally by an automated script or application). In this case, installing the Snip & Sketch application from the Microsoft Store may solve the problem.

1. Launch a web browser and navigate to the Snip & Sketch page of Microsoft Store.
2. Now click on the Get button and then select Open Microsoft Store.

   

3. Then click on the Get button and then on the Install button to install Snip & Sketch.
4. Once installed, check if the Snip & Sketch shortcut is working fine.

Solution 7: Reset the Snip & Sketch Application to the Defaults

The snipping tool shortcut might fail to operate if the Snip & Sketch installation is corrupt. If so, then resetting the Snip & Sketch application to the defaults may solve the problem.

1. Hit the Windows key and open Settings.
2. Then select Apps and expand Snip & Sketch.

   

3. Now open Advanced Options and click on Terminate.

   

4. Then check if the problem is solved.
5. If not, repeat steps 1 to 3 to open Advanced Options of the Snip & Sketch application.
6. Now click on the Reset button and then confirm to Reset the Snip & Sketch application.

   

7. Then reboot your PC and check if the snipping tool shortcut is working fine.

Solution 8: Perform an SFC Scan

The snipping tool shortcut might not work if the files essential for the operation of Windows are corrupt or missing. In this context, performing the SFC scan may clear the corruption and thus solve the problem.

1. Perform an SFC scan of your system (the scan may take some time to complete).
2. Then check if the snipping tool shortcut is working fine.

Solution 9: Create a New User Account

The snipping tool shortcut might not work if your user profile is corrupt. In this case, creating another user account may solve the problem.

1. Create another user for your system and log out of the current user.
2. Now login through the newly created account and hopefully, the Snip & Sketch shortcut is working fine.

If the issue is still there, then you may have to try a 3^rd party utility to take the screenshots (OneNote, Greenshot, etc.) or you can change the keyboard shortcut for the Snip & Sketch (Settings>>Ease of Access>>Keyboard>> Enable Print Screen Shortcut).

If you are a tech-savvy person, you can create a batch file with the “snippingtool.exe /clip” command.

If the issue is still there, then you may have to either perform a reset or a clean install of Windows.