Tip: Are you dealing with a BSoD? It could be because of a “Bad System Config Info” Error in Windows. Read on to learn how to fix it.
How to Fix the Windows 11 Snipping Tool Not Working
The Snipping Tool not working can be traced to faulty Windows 11 security updates, expired digital certificates, or a missing folder/registry value. Each solution covered below will fix a unique error source.
1. Check for Windows 11 Out-of-Band (OOB) Updates
The universal solution to the Snipping Tool not working issue in Windows 11 is to finish an “Out-of-band (OOB)” update: a non-security Microsoft patch introduced past scheduled release dates. One of them is KB5008295, but you should opt for the latest OOB patches whenever they’re announced. Tip: Snip & Sketch isn’t the only missing feature. The classic Volume Mixer is also gone from Windows 11. Find out how to get it back.
2. Disable Automatic Time Temporarily and Reset Its Manual Value
If your Snipping Tool app is breaking in Windows 11 and unable to grab screenshots, then you may have a wrong date/time issue related to the app’s digital certificates. You need to temporarily change your date and time from automatic to manual and go back to automatic once the error is gone.
3. Run the Windows 11 Snipping Tool Directly from “Windows.old” Folder
For those who upgraded to Windows 11 from Windows 10, you might have an older version of the Snipping Tool left behind in the “Windows.old” folder. This is also known as the “classic” Snipping Tool. Launching the latest Windows 11 Snipping Tool application may cause it to crash, but you can continue to use the classic Snipping Tool application to grab screenshots in Windows 11. With a new Windows update, the old folder issues should be resolved entirely.
4. Keep “Automatically Copy Changes” Enabled in Snipping Tool Settings
The clipboard automatically saves changes when you’re copy-pasting anything on your computer. If you can open the Snipping Tool program, but it is not copy-pasting any images, enable its “Automatically Copy Changes” function. As these screen snips are saved to the Clipboard by default, taking a fresh screenshot would cancel out the old one. You’ll have to toggle on another option labeled “Multiple windows” to save multiple screenshots.
5. Turn Background App Permissions On to Take Pictures
Does your Snipping Tool app have the access permissions to take pictures as a background app? In some cases, it has to be provided manually, otherwise the image won’t be captured by the Snipping Tool object memory. Good to know: Do you want to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account? You can!
6. Set Keyboard Print Screen Key to Launch Snipping Tool
For those struggling with faulty update issues in the Windows 11 Snipping Tool, a nice workaround is to set the PrtScr key on your keyboard to serve as the default launch button for Snipping Tool. The PrtScr key has many related functions that work with other Windows tools, such as PowerShell, Command Prompt, and Microsoft Office. To use them, you will have to temporarily disable the PrtScr key shortcut.
7. Uninstall and Reinstall Snipping Tool
Is your Snipping Tool aborting on launch? Due to a faulty update or other reasons, it may be improperly installed. The flawed installation can cause the program to abort and should be replaced with a new version. Are you facing issues with Microsoft Store? We have a handy guide on the steps you can take to make Microsoft Store work properly.
8. Repair and Reset Snipping Tool App
Close on the heels of uninstalling Snipping Tool in Windows 11, you can periodically repair and reset the app. This will fix any newly found issues in the app’s processes as shown below.
9. Use Local Group Policy Editor in Windows 11 to Enable Snipping Tool
Occasionally, you may find the Snipping Tool not working despite no errors with the update. There may be some deep policy settings on your device that have disabled the Snipping Tool without you noticing. Windows 11 advanced administrator settings have a Local Group Policy Editor that helps undo any policies you don’t want on your device.
10. Registry Hack to Enable Snipping Tool
Apart from the Local Group Policy Editor, you can also use a minor registry tweak to kickstart the Snipping Tool on your Windows 11 device. This is helpful when you just don’t see the Snipping Tool application tool and folder in your File Explorer. Right-click on Microsoft to select a new key and name it “TabletPC.” Note: try this method only if the Snipping Tool is not visible on your system.
11. Perform a Clean Windows 11 Installation
The Snipping Tool may run into unanticipated issues if the operating system is riddled with corrupt files. It is easy to deal with the problems caused by installed apps by going for a clean installation of Windows 11. You may find this detailed tutorial useful, as it covers all the possible ways to install Windows 11 on your device.
12. Do a Cloud “Reset” of the Windows 11 Operating System
If the original copy of your Windows 11 system is genuine and valid, it is easier to fix any issues with a simple Cloud Reset. It works similarly to a clean installation but is much easier to perform, as you don’t require a USB drive. Learn how to check your hard disk health in Windows 11. Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Sayak Boral. Once the outdated drivers have been identified through a system scan, you can open them from Device Management (devmgmt.msc in Run menu.) Update and reinstall the drivers as directed on your Command Prompt screen.
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