How to fix
Snipping Tool shortcut stops working
on Windows

Hello. For some reason, the Snipping Tool shortcut on my Windows PC stops working after a while. Is there a way to fix this without having to reinstall the app every time?

People have been complaining about a recurring problem with the Windows Snipping Tool shortcut, namely when using the Windows + Shift + S shortcut to take fast screenshots. A user voiced their dissatisfaction, claiming that the shortcut runs out of steam eventually. The only workable fix found thus far, despite trying a number of troubleshooting techniques, is to uninstall and reinstall the Snipping Tool.

Although the issue appears to be limited to the shortcut, users who mostly depend on the ability to quickly take screenshots may be greatly impacted. When the Windows + Shift + S shortcut suddenly stops working, it can cause workflow disruptions and productivity issues for people who are used to it. Users might have to look into other options or take a break from their work to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

The nature of the issue points to a possible conflict or bug in the program that keeps the Snipping Tool shortcut from working properly. Reinstalling the Snipping Tool appears to be a recurrent workaround as customers search for solutions. But in addition to being complicated, this procedure could cause customized settings and configurations to be lost.

For users who significantly rely on effective screenshot capture for a variety of purposes, such as documentation, communication, or creative work, it is imperative that this issue be resolved as soon as possible. Although some users have found success with uninstalling and reinstalling the Snipping Tool, Microsoft has to look into this matter and provide a thorough fix to ensure that customers who depend on this frequently used shortcut don't experience this issue again.

In this guide, you will find 4 steps that should help you fix Snipping Tool shortcut not working in Windows. You can also run a maintenance tool like [d1] that can fix most system errors, BSODs,[ref en-1] corrupted files, and registry[ref en-2] issues. Otherwise, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Solution 1. Restart Windows Explorer

• Open the Task Manager.
• Locate the Explorer process.
• Click on the Windows Explorer process.
• Select the Restart option.

Solution 2. Repair or Reset the Snipping Tool

• Right-click on Start and select Settings.
• In the Settings window, click on Apps.
• Click on Installed apps in the right pane.
• Scroll down to find Snipping Tool and click on the three dots.
• Select Advanced options from the menu list.
• Click on the Repair button under the Reset section. A confirmation popup will appear.

• Click Repair again to confirm the action and wait for the process to finish.
• If Repair did not work, go back and try the Reset option.

Solution 3. Run the Microsoft Store Apps Troubleshooter

• Open the Start menu.
• Click the gear-shaped icon to launch the Settings app.
• In the Settings app, click on the System tab.
• Click on Troubleshoot.
• Select Other troubleshooters.

• Look for Microsoft Store Apps and click the Run button next to it.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to run the troubleshooter.

Solution 4. Reinstall the Snipping Tool

• Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
• Find Snipping Tool and click on the ellipsis (3 dots).
• Select Uninstall.
• Click on Start and select Microsoft Store.
• Type snipping tool in search and select the same from the drop-down result.
• Click on Get and wait for a while.

Sometimes removing the Snipping Tool via Windows PowerShell also works:

• Press the Windows key + S and type Powershell.
• Select Run as administrator.
• Type the following cmdlet and hit Enter:

get-appxpackage Microsoft.ScreenSketch | remove-appxpackage

• Go to Microsoft Store and install the tool.