Print Screen can look broken when Windows sends the screenshot to Snipping Tool, copies it silently to the clipboard, saves it in a folder you did not check, or ignores the key entirely. Start with the settings and shortcuts Windows actually uses now, then move into Snipping Tool, keyboard, and device fixes.
These fixes focus on current Windows 11 behavior and avoid old Snip & Sketch or OneDrive screenshot settings that Microsoft no longer treats as the right path.
1. Set Print Screen to the behavior you want
Choose whether PrtScn opens screen snipping or captures the whole screen to the clipboard.
- 1.Select Start > Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.
- 2.Turn Use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping On if you want PrtScn to open Snipping Tool.
- 3.Turn Use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping Off if you want a full-screen clipboard capture.
- 4.Press Ctrl + V in Paint, Word, email, chat, or another app to paste the capture.
On current Windows 11, PrtScn or Print Screen opens screen snipping and copies the capture to the clipboard. If that setting is off, the same key captures the whole screen to the clipboard instead. On Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard, then use the Print Screen shortcut toggle. Windows 10 consumer support ended on October 14, 2025, so use the Windows 11 path on a current PC.
2. Grab a screenshot without the PrtScn key
- 1.Press Windows logo key + Shift + S.
- 2.Select Rectangle, Window, Full screen, or Freeform.
- 3.Capture the screen area you want.
- 4.Open the notification or open Snipping Tool to edit, save, or share it.
Use Windows screen snipping directly when you need the fastest bypass. If PrtScn is the only key failing, this shortcut keeps screenshots moving while you test the keyboard later.
3. Save a full-screen screenshot as a file
A plain PrtScn capture goes to the clipboard; for an actual image file, use the Windows save shortcut.
- Press Windows logo key + PrtScn.
- Open File Explorer.
- Select Pictures.
- Select Screenshots.
No PrtScn key on your keyboard? Press Fn + Windows logo key + Space Bar, then check File Explorer > Pictures > Screenshots.
4. Check the clipboard and screenshot folder
- Press Windows logo key + V to open clipboard history.
- Select the prompt to turn on Clipboard history if Windows asks.
- Or open Settings > System > Clipboard and turn Clipboard history On.
- Open Snipping Tool, select See More > Settings, then check automatic saving and the default Screenshots folder.
- To choose a folder yourself, select Save as, enter a file name, choose a location, then select Save.
If the screen flashed or the snip happened but no editor opened, check where Windows placed the capture. Then check the alert side of things.
- 1.Select Start > Settings > System > Notifications.
- 2.Turn Notifications On.
- 3.Turn Snipping Tool notifications On if it appears in the app list.
- 4.Set Do not disturb to Off.
5. Repair Snipping Tool when shortcuts open nothing
Repair Snipping Tool from Windows Settings when Windows logo key + Shift + S opens nothing, or when Snipping Tool fails after the capture.
- 1.Select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- 2.Select the More icon next to Snipping Tool.
- 3.Select Advanced options.
- 4.Select Repair.
- 5.If Repair is unavailable or does not fix it, select Reset.
If Snipping Tool is missing, remove the broken copy and install it again.
- 1.Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- 2.Find Snipping Tool, select the three dots, then select Uninstall.
- 3.Select Uninstall again to confirm.
- 4.Open the official Microsoft Store Snipping Tool page.
- 5.Select Get or Install.
6. Update Snipping Tool, Windows, and drivers
- 1.Open Microsoft Store.
- 2.Select Check for Updates.
- 3.Install available Store app updates, including Snipping Tool.
Get the app update first, then Windows updates: select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, select Download & install when updates appear, and restart the PC when Windows asks.
For keyboard, HID, Bluetooth, Surface, or manufacturer driver updates, select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options, then install relevant Optional updates or Driver updates.
You can also update the device from Device Manager:
- 1.Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- 2.Expand the keyboard, HID, or Bluetooth device category.
- 3.Right-click the device and select Update driver.
- 4.Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
- 5.Select Search for updated drivers on Windows update when Windows offers it.
7. Test the keyboard before replacing anything
Test the keyboard connection and the key itself if Windows logo key + Shift + S works but PrtScn does not.
- For a USB keyboard, unplug it, wait briefly, plug it back in, then try a different USB port.
- Remove any USB hub and connect the keyboard directly to the PC.
- For a wireless USB keyboard, unplug the USB receiver, wait about 10 seconds, then plug it back in.
- Use the keyboard or receiver Reset button when your device has one.
- Test the keyboard on another PC to confirm whether PrtScn works there.
If Device Manager shows a device problem, reinstall the keyboard driver.
- 1.Search Device Manager from Start and open it.
- 2.Right-click the keyboard device.
- 3.Select Uninstall.
- 4.Select Action from the menu bar.
- 5.Select Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the driver.
8. Use the right Surface, app, or work PC capture method
- On Surface devices with hardware buttons, press and hold Power, then press Volume Up. That shortcut does not work on Surface Laptop.
- On Surface keyboards, press Windows logo key + PrtScn or Windows logo key + the Snipping key.
- To open screen snip on Surface keyboards, press Fn + Spacebar.
- To copy the active window, press Fn + Alt + Spacebar.
- If the top row acts as F1-F12, press Fn so the Fn LED turns off.
- On supported Surface devices, open the Surface app and use Customize Keyboard Settings to change top-row key behavior.
Surface shortcuts depend on the model and keyboard. Inside specific apps, use the app screenshot tool instead of fighting the keyboard.
- In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more > Screenshot, or press Ctrl + Shift + S.
- In Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook, select Insert > Screenshot, then choose a window or select Screen Clipping. In Outlook, open an email message and place the cursor in the message body first.
- In OneNote, press Alt + N + R, or select Insert > Screen Clipping.
- For games and apps, press Windows key + Alt + Print Screen. Xbox Game Bar saves PNG files under Videos > Captures.
If screenshots fail only on a work or school PC, only in Microsoft Edge, or only inside Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365, ask your IT admin about screenshot policies. Microsoft documents Edge screenshot controls and remote desktop screen capture protection for managed devices.
Skip old advice that tells you to enable automatic OneDrive screenshot saving. Microsoft says that OneDrive setting is no longer available. To back up screenshots now, include Pictures in OneDrive backup so the Screenshots folder is backed up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Print Screen open Snipping Tool instead of copying the whole screen?
That is the current Windows 11 default. Change it at Start > Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping.
Why does Print Screen do nothing visible?
The screenshot can be on the clipboard. Press Windows logo key + V, or paste with Ctrl + V into Paint, Word, email, chat, or another app.
Where are Windows screenshots saved?
Windows logo key + PrtScn saves screenshots in File Explorer > Pictures > Screenshots. Snipping Tool can also save captures there automatically.
What should I use when my keyboard has no Print Screen key?
Press Fn + Windows logo key + Space Bar. Windows saves the screenshot in Pictures > Screenshots.
Can OneDrive still automatically save Print Screen screenshots?
Microsoft says the old Save screenshots to OneDrive setting is no longer available. Back up the Pictures folder in OneDrive so the Screenshots folder is included.
