The Windows Shift S shortcut is one of the easiest ways to take screenshots on a Windows computer. When this shortcut works, you can quickly capture part of your screen with the Snipping Tool or Snip and Sketch. But many users report that Windows Shift S is not working, the screenshot shortcut is not responding, or the snip bar does not appear on the screen. This problem is very common in Windows 10 and Windows 11. The good news is that you can fix it with a few simple steps. In this guide, we will explain why the Windows Shift S shortcut is not working and show you several working solutions to get your screenshot shortcut back to normal.
Windows Shift S Not Working
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All these problems point to one thing the screen snipping shortcut is not responding.
Why Windows Shift S Is Not Working
The shortcut may stop working because of:
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Disabled Snipping Tool settings
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Focus Assist blocking notifications
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Print Screen assigned to open Snipping Tool
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System files damaged
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Windows Explorer frozen
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Conflicting apps or tools
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Keyboard driver issues
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Windows updates causing bugs
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Snipping Tool app corruption
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Notification panel disabled
Understanding these causes makes the fixing process easier.
Fix 1: Turn Off the Print Screen Snipping Shortcut
When this feature is enabled, Windows Shift S may not work.
Now test Windows Shift S.
Fix 2: Enable Screen Snipping in Notifications
The snip shortcut may be disabled here.
This helps the snip bar appear on the screen.
Fix 3: Restart Windows Explorer
A frozen Explorer breaks many shortcuts.
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Open Task Manager
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Find Windows Explorer
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Right click
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Select Restart
Try the shortcut again.
Fix 4: Turn Off Focus Assist
Focus Assist blocks the snipping popup.
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Open Settings
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Go to System
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Select Focus Assist
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Choose Off
Now check if the snip shortcut works.
Fix 5: Repair or Reset the Snipping Tool App
Corrupt app files stop screenshot actions.
Test shortcut again.
Fix 6: Update Windows
A system update may fix shortcut bugs.
Now try Windows Shift S again.
Fix 7: Close Conflicting Apps
Some apps override screenshot shortcuts.
Check and close apps like:
Restart the computer and test again.
Fix 8: Reinstall Snipping Tool Using PowerShell
If the app is badly corrupted, reinstall it.
Try the shortcut afterward.
Fix 9: Reinstall Your Keyboard Driver
Keyboard driver issues cause shortcut failure.
Windows reinstall the driver automatically.
Fix 10: Check if Screenshots Are Saving in Clipboard Only
Your snip bar may not appear, but the screenshot may still work.
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Press Windows Shift S
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Open Paint
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Press Ctrl V
If the image appears, then:
Enable notifications in Settings System Notifications.
Fix 11: Disable Xbox Game Bar
Gaming shortcuts sometimes block screenshot keys.
Test the snipping shortcut again.
Fix 12: Open Snipping Tool Using Run Command
This confirms whether the app itself works.
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Press Windows R
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Type ms screenclip
or
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Type snippingtool
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Press Enter
If it opens, the issue is only with the shortcut.
Fix 13: Pin Snipping Tool to Taskbar as a Backup
If you need quick snips right away:
Useful until you fix the shortcut issue.
Fix 14: Check Group Policy Settings
Group policies may block the snip tool.
Restart the PC.
Fix 15: Run System File Checker Scan
Damaged system files can block shortcuts.
Now test Windows Shift S.
Fix 16: Run DISM Repair Tool
If Windows image files are damaged:
Try the snipping shortcut again.
Fix 17: Disable Third Party Keyboard Software
Keyboard tools often override system shortcuts.
Disable or uninstall:
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Logitech G Hub
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Razer Synapse
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Corsair iCue
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AutoHotKey
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Keyboard macro programs
Restart and test the shortcut.
Fix 18: Create a New User Account
Your user profile may be corrupted.
Try Windows Shift S.
If it works, your old profile has damaged settings.
Fix 19: Test Another Keyboard
Hardware issues can also block shortcuts.
If it works, your original keyboard needs repair or replacement.
Fix 20: Clean Boot Your Windows
A clean boot helps identify background conflicts.
Test Windows Shift S.
If it works, a startup program was blocking it.
Fix 21 Use Cleanup Tools to Improve Performance
Junk files, cache, and background clutter can block Windows Shift S. Tools like Advanced Clean Master, Disk Cleanup Tool, Boost PC Performance utilities, and SystemCare Pro can fix speed problems.
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Remove corrupted temporary files
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Clean cache that blocks screenshot features
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Improve RAM performance
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Close slow background processes
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Fix registry errors
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Remove junk left after Windows updates
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Free space for the screenshot tool to run
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Repair shortcut and system settings
Windows Shift S Not Working on Windows 11
Windows 11 users commonly face:
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Most Windows 11 issues are caused by:
Key fixes for Windows 11:
Try these first if you are on Windows 11.
Windows Shift S Not Working on Windows 10
Windows 10 users report:
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Most Windows 10 errors come from:
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Snip and Sketch issues
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Windows Explorer glitch
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Keyboard driver problem
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Old Windows updates
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Clipboard issues
Main fixes for Windows 10:
These usually restore the shortcut.
Final Summary
If Windows Shift S is not working, the issue is usually simple to fix. The most common solutions include:
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Restart Windows Explorer
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Disable Print Screen snipping setting
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Reset or repair Snipping Tool
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Turn off Focus Assist
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Update Windows
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Reinstall keyboard drivers
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Disable third party apps
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Re enable notifications
After trying these steps, the Windows Shift S shortcut should start working again on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
FAQ: Windows Shift S Not Working
Why is Windows Shift S not working
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The Snipping Tool may be disabled
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Background apps might be blocking the shortcut
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Windows key shortcuts may be turned off
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The Snipping Tool app might be corrupted
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An outdated Windows update can cause shortcut errors
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Focus Assist or Game Mode may block notifications
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Another app may be using the same hotkey
How do I fix Windows Shift S not working
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Restart your PC
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Enable the Snipping Tool in Settings
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Turn on Clipboard history
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Reset or repair the Snipping Tool
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Update Windows
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Disable Focus Assist
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Turn off Game Mode
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Reinstall the Snipping Tool from Microsoft Store
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Restart Windows Explorer
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Check keyboard settings
Why wont Windows Shift S take screenshots
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The shortcut is disabled
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The Snipping Tool service is not running
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Keyboard drivers may be outdated
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Windows system files may be damaged
Is there another way to take screenshots on Windows
Does Windows Shift S work on Windows 10 and Windows 11
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Yes, the shortcut works on both
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It may stop working due to updates, settings, or app conflicts
Why is the screenshot not popping up after pressing Windows Shift S
Why did Windows Shift S stop working suddenly
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A recent update changed your settings
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Another app took over the hotkey
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Snipping Tool crashed
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Background processes are stuck
How do I reset the Snipping Tool
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Go to Settings
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Select Apps
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Choose Installed apps
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Find Snipping Tool
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Click Reset
Can a keyboard problem cause Windows Shift S not working
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Yes, if Shift or Windows key is damaged
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Yes, if a custom keyboard software overrides hotkeys
