Solved: Windows 11 Snipping Tool Not Working [7 Fixes]

When taking quick snapshots on your screen, utilizing built-in tools like the Snipping Tool with shortcut feature is very efficient as they are easily accessible and are already pre-installed on your PC. If you suddenly notice that your snips are being broken off, you can’t select a window after capturing a snip, or you can’t do screen recording with sound when using the Snipping Tool, then probably, you’re facing the “Windows 11 Snipping Tool not working” issue. Don’t think too much! This is something every user can easily resolve.

In this article, multiple solutions will be shared to assist you with resolving the concern when it comes to the Snipping Tool’s functionality. Get to know more of them as you jump into the first part.

Part 1. Solutions to the “Windows 11 Snipping Tool Not Working” ConcernPart 2. The Best Alternative to Snipping Tool: Take Screenshots on PCPart 3. Conclusion

Part 1. Solutions to the “Windows 11 Snipping Tool Not Working” Concern

Take a look at each workaround that we have listed here to address the “Windows 11 Snipping Tool not working” issue.

Solution #1. Switch on the “Background App Permissions” Option

If the Snipping Tool lacks the necessary app permissions when screen recording or capturing pictures, it won’t work as expected. Here’s how you can turn it on.

1. Go to “Settings”. Look for the “Apps” menu, and select “Installed Apps”. Find “Snipping Tool”, and finally, tap “Advanced Settings”. Head to this section – “Apps & Features”.
2. Ensure that the slider under “Pictures” will be toggled to turn it on. For the menu for “Background app permissions”, make sure to select “Power optimized”.

Solution #2. End the Unused and Conflicting Programs

The second suggested fix to the “Windows 11 Snipping Tool not working” problem is to do a clean boot of your system by removing or ending those unused or conflicting programs that are running on your PC while the Snipping Tool is in use.

1. Launch the “Task Manager” menu on your Windows 11 PC.
2. Identify those processes that you don’t actually need, right-click on them, and choose “End Task”.
3. Once finished, try opening the program again and see if it’s now functioning well.

Solution #3. Try the “Repair” and “Reset” Features

You may also try repairing and resetting the app and see if the “Windows 11 Snipping Tool not working” issue will be fixed.

1. Head over to “Settings”, then to “Apps”, and choose “Snipping Tool”, then “Advanced Options”. Go to the “Apps & Features” menu next.
2. On the “Reset” option, tap “Repair”. Wait for some time while the repair is ongoing.
3. Once finished, a checkmark will be noticed alongside the “Repair” button signifying that the process has been finished.
4. Do the same for the “Reset” option.

Solution #4. Turn Off the Snipping Tool’s Auto Copy to Clipboard Feature

Sometimes, the features of the program itself could affect its functionality. You can also try to switch off the “Auto Copy to Clipboard Feature” to see if this can address the issue. Here’s what you need to do.

1. Launch the Snipping Tool.
2. Press the horizontal ellipses. Find and select the “Settings” option.
3. Look for the Snipping section. Toggle the slider next to “Auto Copy to Clipboard” to turn it off.
4. Reopen the app. Try using it to see if this solution works.

Solution #5. Uninstall the Snipping Tool and Install it Again

Trying to reinstall the Snipping Tool could solve the “Snipping Tool not working” problem. This could be simple but this is one of the most basic fixes a user can apply.

1. Navigate to the “Add or Remove programs” menu.
2. Find the “Snipping Tool”. Choose the “Uninstall” button.
3. After uninstalling, install the app again on your PC.

Solution #6. Try to Temporarily Switch Off the “Automatic Time” Feature

The Snipping Tool might not also work if you have an incorrect date or time which relates to the digital certificates of the app. To fix the error, you can temporarily modify the time and date from “automatic” setup to “manual”. You can switch it back once the issue is gone.

1. Tap “Settings”, choose “Time and Language”, and then select “Date and Time”.
2. Ensure that you have switched off the slider for the “set the time automatically” menu.
3. Manually set up the date. Keep the time as what it is.
4. Now try if the Snipping Tool works fine.

Solution #7. Restart Your Device

You might not be aware, but you might be facing other problems aside from the “Windows 11 Snipping Tool not working” dilemma which could be due to your computer itself. And so, one of the most basic things that you can do to address the issue is by restarting your computer. Doing so will help refresh the whole system and fix minor problems and bugs. This could also help fix your problem with the Snipping Tool.

Part 2. The Best Alternative to Snipping Tool: Take Screenshots on PC

If you are too tired of checking and trying all the possible workarounds to fix the “Windows 11 Snipping Tool not working” problem, you can also turn to the best alternative that you can use to take screenshots, the FoneDog Screen Recorder. In addition to this feature, you can even perform screen, webcam, and audio recording through it if you need to. It’s packed with numerous features making it so worthwhile to use.

Free Download For Windows Free Download For normal Macs Free Download For M1, M2, M3

For your reference, here’s how you can easily capture screenshots via the FoneDog Screen Recorder.

1. Once the app is installed, press the “Screen Capture” menu.
2. Hit the “Custom Size” option and then select the area to capture.
3. Complete the screenshot by hitting the tick mark.

People Also ReadQuick Guide: How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop Or DesktopHow to Screenshot on Gateway Laptop [Quick Guide]

Part 3. Conclusion

Addressing the “Windows 11 Snipping Tool not working” problem should no longer be a dilemma for you as we have already provided you with bunches of fixes that you can try and apply. In addition to those solutions, you may also opt to try an alternative app that works so well when capturing screenshots and even when screen recording, the FoneDog Screen Recorder.