Top 9 Ways to Fix Snip and Sketch Not Working in Windows 11
Snip & Sketch received a huge overhaulwith the Windows 11 update. The app has got a new UI and improved functionality to annotate images. But it’s all worthless when the app stops working in the first place. Here’s how you can fix Snip & Sketch not working in Windows 11.
Fix Snip & Sketch Not Working in Windows 11
You have hit the keyboard shortcut Windows + Shift + S keys to launch the Skip & Sketch app and OS didn’t open the tool to take a screenshot. What now? Follow the troubleshooting steps below.
1. Update Windows
Windows 11 is still in early stages and the company is still figuring out early glitches from the OS. Maybe a bug in Windows is preventing the OS to open Snip & Sketch properly.
Open the Windows 11Settings menu(use Windows + I keys – remember this keyboard shortcut, we will use it frequently throughout the post) and go toWindows Update. Click onCheck for updatesand install the newest OS on PC.
2. Check Date and Time
Wrong time and date settings on your Windows 11 PC can lead to issues with default apps. Glance over the bottom right corner of the task manager and see if it’s displaying the correct time and date. You can also make changes from the Settings menu.
1.Open Windows Settings and go toTime & languagemenu.
2.SelectDate & time.
3.EnableSet time automaticallyand make sure it’s displaying the correct Time zone.
3. Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter
Microsoft distributes the Snip & Sketch app via the Microsoft Store on Windows. You can run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter to fix Snip & Sketch issue.
1.Navigate toWindows Settings > System > Troubleshootmenu.
2.SelectOther Troubleshooters.
3.Scroll down toWindows Store Appsand run the troubleshooter.
Once Microsoft completes running the troubleshooter tool, you can try using Snip & Sketch tool.
4. Close Snip & Sketch from Task Manager
This trick works with most unresponsive apps on Windows 11. you’re able to use the Task Manager, completely close all Snip & Sketch processes and try again.
1.Right-click on the Windows key and openTask Manager.
2.FindSnipping Toolfrom the list and click on it.
3.Hit theEnd Taskbutton and you are good to go using Snip & Sketch again.
5. Disable Focus Assist
Focus Assist is Windows 11’s take on Do Not Disturb. Snip & Sketch is already working on your PC but you won’t get a notification about the screenshot as your PC is on Focus Assist.
Click on the volume or Wi-Fi icon in the Windows 11 taskbar and disable Focus Assist.
If you insist on using the Snipping Tool app for a quiet environment, you may exclude the Snipping Tool from Focus Assist. Here’s how.
1.Go to Windows Settings and open theSystemmenu.
2.SelectFocus assist.
3.Click onPriority onlyand that will allow Snipping Tool to send notifications during Focus assist.
6. Repair Snipping Tool
If you are still having troubles with the Snip & Sketch, you can try repairing the app from the Windows Settings menu. Here’s how.
1.Launch Windows 11 Settings app and go to theAppsmenu.
2.SelectApps & features.
3.Scroll down toSnipping Tool.
4.Click on the three-dot menu and openAdvanced options.
5.SelectRepairand let Windows handle the issue.
7. Allow Snipping Tool to Run in Background
Snipping Tool runs in the background to enable Snip & Sketch to function when you hit the Windows + Shift + S keys. By default, Snipping Tool is Power optimized but you’re able to set it to Always to keep running in the background.
Open the Windows Settings menu and go toApps > Apps & featuresmenu. SelectAdvanced optionsand findBackground apps permissions.
Click on the drop-down menu and select Always. The action might draw more battery, but you won’t face any issue with Snip & Sketch now.
8. Reinstall Snipping Tool
Since the Snipping Tool is available on the Microsoft Store, you can uninstall the app and download it again from the Store to fix issues.
Navigate toWindows Settings > Apps > Apps & featuresand find Snipping Tool in it. Click on the three-dot menu and click onUninstall.
Confirm your decision and remove it from your PC. Open Microsoft Store and download Snipping Tool to integrate it with the OS.
9. Run System Scan
Do you have a habit of downloading apps and files from unverified sources from the web? You might have infected your PC with bogus and malicious files, and it can break some core OS functions such as Snip & Sketch.
You need to run a System File Checker scan on your PC.
1.Right-click on the Windows key and open theWindows Terminalmenu.
2.Typesfc /scannowand hit enter.
Once the scan is complete, try using the Snipping tool again.
Try Snipping Tool Alternative
The Snipping tool is limited in certain ways. The Windows ecosystem is filled with capablescreenshot toolsto capture parts of the screen. One such app is ShareX. It’s a free and open-source alternative to the Snipping Tool on Windows 11.
you’re able to capture screen, record screen, capture text, scan QR code, and even copy files to the clipboard. Give it a try from the download link below.
Download–ShareX
Get Snip & Sketch Up and Running in Windows 11
You can also make tweaks from the Group Policy Editor to fix issues with Snip & Sketch on Windows 11. But for a normal consumer, we won’t advise tweaking settings in Group Policy Editor as a single wrong tweak can mess with core OS functions for you. The steps above should be sufficient to troubleshoot Snip & Sketch not working problem on Windows 11.
Parth Shah
Parth previously worked at EOTO.tech covering tech news. He is currently freelancing at TechWiser, Android Police, and GuidingTech writing about apps comparisons, tutorials, software tips and tricks, and diving deep into iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows platforms.
