(100% Working) 7 Fixes to Solve Windows 11 Snipping Tool Not Working

Are you experiencing issues with your snipping tool on Windows 11? You're not alone. Many users are reporting they can't get the built-in snipping utility to work properly, and it's a real annoyance! If you're having problems like this and want some help troubleshooting, you've come to the right place. Here you will learn some solutions to fix Windows 11 snipping tool not working issue.

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Jane Zhou

Updated on Mar 05, 2024

0 Views | 0 min read

Are you encountering an issue where your Windows 11 Snipping Tool isn't working properly? You may have noticed several symptoms, such as the snip getting cut off or being unable to select the window after taking a screenshot or screen record with audio. Don't stress out – this is a problem many users are facing, and fortunately, there are ways to resolve it.

In this blog, we will discuss how to fix problems with Windows 11 Snipping Tool not working properly! We'll also explain some of the common causes that can lead to these issues so you understand how best to avoid them in the future. By following our instructions, you'll be able to get your screenshots up and running again in no time!

Methods Effectiveness Time Cost Difficulty
Turn Background App Permissions High 30 Seconds
Perform a Clean Boot of the System Medium 2 Minutes ⭐⭐⭐
Repair and Reset Snipping Tool App High 1-2 Minutes
Disable Auto Copy to Clipboard Feature of Snipping Tool High  30 Seconds
Uninstall and Reinstall Snipping Tool Medium  5 Minutes ⭐⭐
Disable Automatic Time Temporarily Medium 2 Minutes ⭐⭐
Try Snipping Tool Alternative  Super High 1 Minutes

Fix 1. Turn Background App Permissions

If your Snipping Tool app doesn't have access permissions to take pictures or screen cord as a background app, it might not work when you use it. So, to solve it, you can check out the following steps.

Step 1. Click Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Snipping Tool > Advanced Settings, and then go to the Apps & Features section.

Step 2. Make sure the app permissions for the pictures are turned on. Next, enable the background app permissions as Power optimized.

Turn permission

Fix 2. Perform a Clean Boot of the System

If another utility or program on the system is interfering with the operation of the Snipping Tool, then the Windows 11 Snipping Tool might also not work. In that case, ending the conflicting program in the system's task manager may solve the issue about Snipping Tool.

Step 1. Right-click on the Windows icon on your desktop and select Task Manager.

Step 2. Find and end the non-essential processes, like Explorer Patcher, Winaero Tweaker, Winaero, etc.

Step 3. Once done, you can reopen the Snipping Tool and check if it is working fine.

Step 4. If not, check if performing a clean boot of the system solves the problem.

perform a clean boot

Fix 3. Repair and Reset Snipping Tool App

Another method is to repair and reset the Snipping Tool app by following the below guide:

Step 1. Move to Settings > Apps > Snipping Tool > Advanced options to open the Apps & features menu.

Step 2. Go to the Reset menu and click Repair. Then, wait a few seconds for it to be repaired.

Step 3. Once done, you will see a checkmark next to the Repair button, as shown below.

Step 4. Repeat the same procedure for the Reset button.

repair and reset

Fix 4. Disable Auto Copy to Clipboard Feature of Snipping Tool

The Auto Copy to Clipboard is a Snipping Tool feature that may break the Snipping Tools operation if it fails to copy the screenshot to the system's clipboard automatically. In such a case, disabling the Auto Copy to Clipboard in the Snipping Tool settings may solve the problem.

Step 1. Open the Snipping Tool by searching in the search box.

Step 2. Next, click the three horizontal ellipses and choose the Settings option from the drop-down menu.

Step 3. Find the Snipping section, and toggle the Auto Copy Clipboard switch to the off position to disable it.

Step 4. Finally, relaunch the Snipping Tool and click on New to check if the issue is fixed.

disable auto copy

Fix 5. Uninstall and Reinstall Snipping Tool

Due to a faulty update or other reasons, your Windows 11 Snipping Tool may be improperly installed. The faulty installation can cause the program to abort and should be replaced with a new version.

Step 1. Choose Add or Remove programs from the Start menu search.

Step 2. Scroll down to find the Snipping Tool, and select the Uninstall option to proceed with the removal from its three-dot menu.

Step 3. After removing it, you can reinstall the Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store.

uninstall and reinstall

Fix 6. Disable Automatic Time Temporarily

If you may have a wrong date/time issue related to the app's digital certificates, the Snipping Tool may not work, also. You need to temporarily change your date and time from automatic to manual and go back to automatic once the error is gone.

Step 1. Click Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time.

Step 2. Turn off the toggle switch to set the time automatically. 

Step 3. Then, manually set the date to October 30, 2021, and leave the time section as is.

Step 4. At last, check whether the Snipping Tool is working or not.

change time

Fix 7. Try Snipping Tool Alternative

The last way is to find a Windows 11 Snipping Tool alternative, which lets you take screenshots and record your screen without hassle. EaseUS RecExperts is such a program that lets you do almost any screen recording activities with a few simple clicks.

easeus recexperts

With this screen recorder, you can easily screenshot the entire screen and record part of the screen or any area as you want. Moreover, it even offers some real-time editing tools, making it possible to add text, draw lines, and insert shapes to enrich your recordings. Last but not least, this unlimited screen recorder allows you to record the screen as long as you want!

🔎Check Its Main Features

Windows 11 Snipping Tool Not Working FAQs

1. Why does my snip tool not work?

Snipping Tool might not work, mainly due to the following:

  • Outdated graphics driver
  • Interference from other Apps
  • Corrupt installation of the Snipping Tool
  • Expired certificate of the Snipping Tool

2. Does Snipping Tool work with Windows 11?

Yes. Snipping Tool works with Windows 11 perfectly. You can use it to record screens and also take screenshots on your Windows 11 PC.

Conclusion

In this article, EaseUS discuss the problem of the Windows 11 Snipping Tool not working properly and gives 7 different solutions. You can try these solutions in order to see if they work, or just use EaseUS RecExperts for the easiest and most efficient solution to the screenshot problem.

EaseUS RecExperts

One-click to capture anything on screen!

No Time Limit, No watermark

Start Recording

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