How to Fix Snip­ping Tool Not Work­ing on Win­dows 11: 7 Easy Solutions

Snipping Tool is a useful tool for taking and editing screenshots in Windows 11. Snipping Tool is a native Windows app that works well for the most part, with a few minor hiccups. You’ve come to the right place if your Snipping Tool Snip­ping Tool Not Work­ing or won’t open.

We’ll walk you through some troubleshooting steps that should get the Snipping Tool back up and running. So, let’s get started.

Restart Snipping Tool App

It’s possible that the launch of the Snipping Tool app was hampered by an error. As a result, you can restart the app to see if it helps. To do so, start the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Select the Snipping Tool app from the Process tab and click the End Task button at the bottom.

Now try launching Snipping Tool again to see if it works properly.

Use Keyboard Shortcut

If restarting the app does not solve the problem, try using the keyboard shortcut. To open the Snipping Tool on your PC, press Windows Key + Shift + S on your keyboard.

Allow Snipping Tool to Run in Background

If the Snip­ping Tool Not Work­ing and doesn’t respond to its shortcut, it’s possible that the app lacks the permissions it needs to run in the background. To change this, go to the Settings menu. Here’s how to do it.

1. To quickly launch the Settings app on your PC, open the Start Menu and click the Settings icon. You can also use the Windows Key + I shortcut to accomplish the same thing.
2. Switch to the Apps tab on the left in the Settings app, and then to App & features.
3. Use the search box to quickly find the Snipping Tool app. To access Advanced options, use the three-dot menu on the right.
4. Use the drop-down menu under Background apps permission to select Always from the list.

That is all there is to it. Close the Settings app and open the Snipping Tool with the shortcut.

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Repair or Reset the App

Apps on Windows 11 are bound to have issues from time to time. Fortunately, your Windows PC is also capable of self-repairing these app issues. On Windows 11, here’s how to fix the Snipping Tool app.

1. Click the bottom-right Search icon, type in snipping tool, and right-click on the first result to open the App settings menu.
2. Click the Repair button after scrolling down to the Reset section.

If repairing the app does not solve the problem, you can try resetting it. It’s worth noting that resetting the app will wipe out all of your data.

Run Sfc Scan Via cmd

Snip­ping Tool Not Work­ing issues can occur for a variety of reasons, including corrupted or damaged system files on your PC. In such cases, an SFC (System File Checker) scan may be beneficial. This is how you do it.

1. Choose Windows Terminal (admin) from the resulting menu by right-clicking on the Start menu icon.

   

2. Press Enter after typing the command listed below.
   SFC /scannow

Turn Off Focus Assist

On Windows 11, Focus Assist is a familiar utility that filters out unwanted notifications on your computer. If you’re not getting notifications after taking a screenshot, try turning off Focus Assist in the Action Center. If that resolves the problem, you can move the Snipping Tool app to the top of your priority list and use it with Focus Assist enabled. Here’s how to do it.

1. On the Taskbar, click the search tool, type focus assist, and then click the first result that appears.

   

2. Now select Customize your priority list from the drop-down menu.
3. To add Snipping Tool to your priority list, go to Apps and click the Add an app button.

Related: A Problem Is Preventing the Troubleshooter From Starting, Here are 8 fixes

Use Windows Troubleshooter

A dedicated app troubleshooter on your Windows 11 PC can also detect and fix minor app issues. Here’s how to make it work.

1. Click the Search tool, type troubleshoot settings into the search box, and click the first result that appears.

   

2. Go to the Other Troubleshooters section now.
3. Click the Run button after scrolling all the way down to the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.

Check if the Snipping Tool is working properly after the troubleshooting process is completed.

Related: Missing Thumbnails in Windows 10, Here are 10 Solutions

Back to Snipping

For many of us, Snipping Tool is still a valuable tool. Any issues with the app can have a significant impact on productivity. However, if the problem persists, you might want to consider using third-party screenshot apps like ShareX or Snagit.