Print screen not working on Windows 11: 8 fixes

The Print Screen key (PrtSc or PrtScn) is the most common way to take a screenshot on Windows. By default, it grabs photos of your entire desktop and saves them to the clipboard, allowing you to paste the image into other applications, such as Paint or Word.

Of course, if the print screen function is working properly. There are many reasons why Print Screen won't work on Windows 11, whether it's a hardware issue or a software bug. If you're struggling, here are some different things you can try to fix your problem.

1. Basic Troubleshooting Fixes to Fix Print Screen Not Working on Windows 11

First, double check the F Lock key if your keyboard has one #Fn. The F Lock key enables or disables secondary function keys (such as F2 or F12). Press the key to make sure it is off. Some keyboards will even have an LED light to let you know if it's on.

If the print screen key isn't working, troubleshooting steps as simple as troubleshooting your entire keyboard is a great place to start. Reconnect the connection by unplugging the device and plugging it back in. If that doesn't work, try plugging it into a different USB port.

The problem may also be related to the keyboard itself. For example, if you have a secondary keyboard, try using it and see if the Print Screen key works. If not, the problem lies with the PC itself.

If the problem persists, please restart Windows 11. Restarting Windows closes any applications that may be interfering with it and gives your system a fresh start.

2. Try different keyboard shortcuts

You can use a number of different keyboard shortcuts to take screenshots on Windows 11. Therefore, you may want to try other shortcuts first.

Use the

Windows key PrtScn to take a shot and save it to a file. Try Alt PrtScn to capture the active window. Or tryWindows key Shift Slaunch the snipping tool to take a screenshot.

#If the print screen key doesn't work, another solution is to use the Xbox Game Bar. Use the keyboard shortcut

Windows key G to launch the Xbox Game Bar. Once open, click the widget button > Capture, then click the camera icon to capture.

3. Check Third-Party Screen Capture Software

If your print screen key is not working, third-party screen capture applications are another one to overlook The place to start troubleshooting. A professional screen recording application, such as WinSnap or TechSmith's SnagIt, can take over that key.

Every software application is different, but the best place to go is in the application's settings or preferences. Find the hotkey assigned to shooting. For example, if

Print Screen

is set to the default, you can change it to a different key.

#4. Disable background programs

Applications running in the background may be the reason why Print Screen is not working properly. Apps like OneDrive, Dropbox, and even your browser can conflict with the print screen feature.

To fix it, open Task Manager's "

Processes

" tab on Windows 11 and stop them one at a time to find the one causing the problem. To stop an application, right-click it and select

End Task.

5. Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter

If you are not sure if there is a problem with your keyboard, you can run the Keyboard Troubleshooter on Windows 11

answer

. This will test your keyboard and determine if there is an issue with it.

To run the keyboard troubleshooter on Windows 11, use the following steps:

Click the

Start

button and open the
1. Settings app program (or press the Windows keyI). When Settings opens, navigate to System > Troubleshooting
and turn on the
2. Additional Troubleshooting options.

3. Scroll down the list and click the Run button next to Keyboard.

4. When troubleshooting begins, it will attempt to find and fix any potential issues - if an issue is detected, follow the on-screen wizard .

6. Update keyboard driver

Another possibility is that your keyboard driver is out of date. This is more likely to happen with professional keyboards that have many extra features and buttons, such as gaming keyboards. It's a good idea to check for updates - including from the manufacturer's website.

To check for driver updates, use the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, type Device Manager, and then select top result.
2. When Device Manager opens, expand the Keyboard section, right-click your keyboard, and select Update Driver from the menu.

3. Now, select Automatically search for drivers to install the latest driver. If you downloaded the driver from the manufacturer's website, use the Browse my computer for driver option and install it.

7. Check for Windows and System Updates

For security, stability, and performance reasons, keep your computer as Staying current is crucial. For example, getting the latest Windows updates from Microsoft and device manufacturer updates can fix print screen not working issues. There may be updates or bug fixes to fix known issues with the print screen functionality.

First, manually check for Windows 11 updates and install any it finds.

#Secondly, run the OEM update software for your PC and install anything it finds related to the hardware. Check to see if a fix is ​​available directly from Dell or Lenovo.

You can also check the manufacturer's website directly for any firmware updates, driver updates and further troubleshooting advice.

8. Clean boot Windows 11

Another thing to try is to clean boot Windows 11. This is different from Safe Mode in that Clean Boot starts Windows normally but only loads the necessary drivers. To do a clean boot, you need to go into System Configuration and uncheck all but the important startup services.

For complete instructions, read our full tutorial on how to clean boot Windows 11.

Print Screen on Windows 11

If you are troubleshooting the issue of Print Screen not working on Windows 11, one of the above steps should help you . Once it's working properly, you might want to check out the new Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts.

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