Snipping Tool not working?
Eight things to try.
If Win+Shift+S does not respond, a snip is not where you expect, or Snipping Tool does not open, work through these eight steps. Each follows Microsoft's own documentation, from closing and reopening the app to a system file check.
Your snip may have been captured even if nothing appeared on screen afterwards. Check the configured Screenshots folder, open Snipping Tool, and try pasting the capture into an image editor. If clipboard history is turned on, Win+V is another place to look. Step 2 covers the clipboard and the Screenshots folder.
1. Does closing and reopening Snipping Tool help?
If Snipping Tool is open but does not respond, select the Close (X) button in the upper-right corner of the app window, then reopen the app and press Win+Shift+S again. Microsoft's guide to problems with apps from Microsoft Store lists this first. support.microsoft.com
2. Is the capture on the clipboard or in the Screenshots folder?
Microsoft's Snipping Tool guide for Windows 11 says screenshots are copied to your clipboard and, if automatic saving is on, saved in Pictures > Screenshots. Paste into an image editor, or press Win+V to open clipboard history if you have turned it on. To change automatic saving or the folder, open Snipping Tool, select See more, then Settings. microsoft.com
Our save-location guide maps where every Windows screenshot shortcut puts its output.
3. What does Repair do?
If Snipping Tool still does not work, Microsoft's instructions for Windows 11 are to select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the More icon next to Snipping Tool, select Advanced options, then select Repair if it is available. Microsoft's documentation says a repair through Windows Settings keeps the app's data. support.microsoft.com
4. When should I Reset instead?
If Repair is not available or does not fix the problem, Microsoft says to select Reset on the same page. Microsoft's documentation says a reset permanently deletes the app's data and reinstalls the app, so its preferences are lost. Copy any screenshots you want to keep to another folder first, then retest with Win+Shift+S after the reset completes. learn.microsoft.com
5. Does reinstalling Snipping Tool help?
If Repair and Reset do not help, Microsoft has an article on uninstalling and reinstalling Snipping Tool. In Settings, select Apps, then Installed apps, find Snipping Tool, select the three dots, then Uninstall. The same article links Microsoft's installer for putting it back. support.microsoft.com
6. Is the shortcut switched on, and is another app using it?
Microsoft's Snipping Tool guide, read in October 2026, says that if the shortcut is not working you should make sure Snipping Tool is enabled in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, and that another app isn't overriding the shortcut. If you run more than one capture app, give each its own key combination. microsoft.com
Maxisnap lets you remap its hotkeys.
7. Are Windows and Microsoft Store up to date?
Microsoft's guide to problems with apps from Microsoft Store says to make sure Windows is up to date: select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and install anything available. It also says to update Microsoft Store: open Microsoft Store, select Library, then Get updates. Restart if Windows asks you to, then retest. support.microsoft.com
8. What does sfc /scannow check?
Microsoft's System File Checker article says that missing or corrupted system files can stop Windows features from working properly. It gives two commands to run in order in a Command Prompt opened as administrator, leaving the window open until each one finishes. support.microsoft.com
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
sfc /scannow
If Snipping Tool still does not work after all eight steps, Microsoft's clean boot article explains how to check whether another app or service is interfering. support.microsoft.com
Need to capture while you troubleshoot?
If you need to keep working while you troubleshoot, you can install Maxisnap alongside the Snipping Tool. Local capture and editing are free: Ctrl+Alt+5 opens region capture and then the annotation editor. A free account enables the published Maxisnap Cloud allowance; the $29 Studio add-on enables supported custom-server uploads. Maxisnap uses its own updater.
Snipping Tool troubleshooting questions
Where does Snipping Tool save my snips?
In Windows 11, Snipping Tool automatically saves a snip to your Screenshots folder. Check the app’s Settings for the actual destination and whether automatic saving is enabled. You can also use Save as to choose a file location. Microsoft’s Snipping Tool guide explains the current controls. For other shortcuts, see the save-location guide.
Does resetting the Snipping Tool delete my screenshots?
Microsoft's documentation says a reset permanently deletes the app's data and reinstalls the app, so its preferences are lost. Snips you saved as files, for example in Pictures > Screenshots when automatic saving is on, are files on disk rather than app data; copy any you want to keep elsewhere first if you are unsure.
Win+Shift+S shows the overlay but I cannot find the capture. What can I check?
Microsoft's Snipping Tool guide for Windows 11 says screenshots are copied to your clipboard and, if automatic saving is on, saved in Pictures > Screenshots. Paste into an image editor, press Win+V if clipboard history is on, and look in that folder. If the capture is in neither place, try Repair in Settings > Apps.
What can I use while I troubleshoot?
Maxisnap is a Windows option with free local capture and editing. Ctrl+Alt+5 opens region capture and then the annotation editor. A free account enables the published Cloud allowance; the $29 Studio add-on enables supported custom-server uploads. It has its own updater.
Capture, annotate, share
Free local capture and editing, with its own updater.
Download Maxisnap FreeRelated: Snipping Tool alternative · where screenshots go · shortcut reference · Maxisnap hotkeys · blur a screenshot
Maxisnap is not affiliated with Microsoft. This page describes Windows features as Microsoft's documentation presented them in October 2026; check Microsoft's documentation for current behavior.