Windows 11 Snipping Tool Not Working, 7 Solutions

The 7 best ways to fix Snipping Tool not working on Windows 11. Snipping Tool is a handy utility on Windows 11 for taking screenshots and editing them. Being a native Windows app, Snipping Tool works flawlessly most of the time except for the occasional hiccup.

Windows 11 Snipping Tool Not Working, 7 Solutions

If the Windows 11 Snipping Tool isn't working or won't open, you've come to the right place. We will walk you through some methods to troubleshoot problems with the Snipping Tool.

1. Restart the app

The Snipping Tool app may have encountered an error while starting up. Therefore, you can try restarting the app to see if it helps. To do this, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to start the Task Manager. In the Process tab, select the Snipping Tool app and click the End Task button at the bottom. Now go ahead and launch the Snipping Tool again to see if it works correctly now.

2. Use the keyboard shortcut

If the Windows 11 Snipping Tool still doesn't work, you can try using the keyboard shortcut to see if it works. Press the Windows key + Shift + S on your keyboard to open the Snipping Tool on your PC.

3. Allow the Snipping Tool to run in the background

If the Snipping Tool doesn't respond to the link, the app might not have the necessary permission to run in the background. You can visit the Settings menu to change it. That's how.

1. Open the Start menu, click the Settings icon to quickly launch the Settings app on your PC. Alternatively, you can also use the Windows Key + I shortcut to achieve the same.
2. In the Settings app, switch to the Apps tab on your left and go to Apps & Features.
3. Use the search box to quickly locate the Snipping Tool app. Now use the three-dot menu to its right to open advanced options.
4. Under Background App Permission, use the drop-down menu to choose Always from the list.

That's all. Now close the Settings app and use the link to open the Snipping Tool.

4. Repair or restore the app

Apps on Windows 11 are bound to run into problems occasionally. Thankfully, your Windows PC is also capable of fixing these app problems on its own. Here's how to fix Snipping Tool app not working on Windows 11.

1. Click the Search icon at the bottom, type the Snipping Tool, right-click the first result to choose App Settings from the menu.
2. Scroll down to the Repair section and click the Repair button.

If repairing the app doesn't help, you can try resetting the app itself. Note that resetting the app will delete all app data.

5. Run the SFC scan using the Command Prompt

Among other reasons, the Snipping Tool may also fail due to corrupt or damaged system files on your PC. In such cases, it may be useful to run an SFC (System File Checker) scan. Here's how to do it.

1. Right-click the Start menu icon to choose the Windows Terminal (admin) option from the resulting menu.
2. Type the command given below and hit Enter: sfc / scannow

Wait for the process to complete. When done, restart your PC and launch the Snipping Tool app to see if it works properly.

6. Disable Focus Assist

Focus Assist is a familiar utility on Windows 11 that filters unwanted notifications on your PC. So, if you haven't received any notifications after taking a screenshot, try disabling Focus Assist from the Action Center. If this solves the problem, you can add the Snipping Tool app to the priority list to use the Snipping Tool with Focus Assist enabled. That's how.

1. Click the search tool on the taskbar, type focus assist and click on the first displayed result.
2. Now click on the Customize your priority list option.
3. In Apps, click the Add an App button to include the Snipping Tool in the priority list.

7. Windows app troubleshooting

Your Windows 11 PC also has a dedicated app troubleshooter to detect and fix minor app problems on Windows 11. Here's how to run it.

1. Click on the search tool, type in the troubleshooter settings and click on the first displayed result.
2. Now go to More Troubleshooting Tools.
3. Scroll to the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter and click the Run button.

Once the troubleshooting process is done, check if the Snipping Tool is working properly.

Go back to using the Snipping Tool

Snipping tool remains an important utility for many of us. Problems with the app can easily impact productivity. But if the problem persists, you can consider switching to third-party apps like ShareX or Snagit to meet your screenshot needs.