Snipping Tool is the default app to take screenshots on Windows. Microsoft has steadily improved it over the years with new features and interface tweaks. However, usual glitches with the Snipping Tool can bog down your screen capture experience. Many have complained about the Snipping Tool not showing a preview window after capturing a screenshot. Here are the best ways to fix the problem.
When you take a screenshot using the Snipping Tool, it quickly shows up a notification with your image. You can tap on it to open an editing Window. Microsoft offers several pen and highlight tools to annotate your screenshot. The system not showing a pop-up window can confuse you. Before you end up disabling the Snipping Tool on Windows, use the tricks below to troubleshoot the issue.
1. Restart Snipping Tool
Snipping Tool is a part of Windows Explorer services. You can restart it using the steps below, capture the screen, and see if the preview window appears.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Task Manager. Hit Enter.
Step 2: Select Windows Explorer from the list and hit the Restart task at the top.
2. Check Notification Permission for Snipping Tool
If you have disabled notification permission for the Snipping Tool, it can’t show alert for your captured screen. You need to make tweaks using the steps below.
Step 1: Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
Step 2: Select System and go to Notifications.
Step 3: Select Snipping Tool.
Step 4: Enable the permission and check the same as the banner and in the notification center.
Snipping Tool should show an alert when you take a screenshot. Click on it to open a preview and make edits.
3. Repair and Reset the Snipping Tool in Settings
Windows offers an option to repair and reset the Snipping Tool in Settings. It’s a handy way to troubleshoot common Snipping Tool problems on Windows.
Step 1: Go to Windows Settings by pressing the Windows + I keys.
Step 2: Select Apps and go to Installed Apps.
Step 3: Scroll to the Snipping Tool. Click the three-dot menu beside it and open Advanced options.
Step 4: Hit Repair and try again.
Step 5: If the issues persist, click Reset.
4. Restart the PC
Do you mostly keep your Windows PC on sleep? You should reboot your Windows device once in a while to troubleshoot common problems.
5. Run an SFC System Scan
Running an SFC System Scan is another effective way to fix common problems with system apps. You need to follow the steps below.
Step 1: Press the Windows key, search for PowerShell and hit Enter. Make sure to run it as administrator.
Step 2: Run the following command and hit Enter.
sfc /scannow
Step 3: Launch the Snipping Tool from Terminal and try again. Type the command below and try again
snippingtool.exe
6. Disable Focus and Do Not Disturb
If your Windows laptop is on an active DND or Focus mode, it suspends all the notifications from installed apps. Your alerts silently land in the notification center.
Step 1: Head to Windows Settings and select System from the sidebar.
Step 2: Open Notifications and disable the Do Not Disturb toggle.
Step 3: Open Focus and turn off the same.
7. Update Graphics Drivers
The Snipping Tool may not work properly due to outdated Graphics drivers on your Windows machine. First, you should download the latest graphics drivers build from the AMD or NVIDIA website. Now, use the Device Manager menu to install them on your desktop.
Step 1: Right-click on the Windows key and open the Device Manager menu.
Step 2: Expand Display adapters and right-click on graphics drivers.
Step 3: Select Update device and scan your computer for the same.
The system finds and installs graphics drivers on your computer.
8. Update Snipping Tool
Microsoft regularly updates the Snipping Tool via the Microsoft Store on Windows. You can open it and go to the Library menu. Install any pending Snipping Tool updates on your PC and try again.
9. Reinstall Snipping Tool
When none of the tricks work, it’s time to reinstall the Snipping Tool.
Step 1: Go to the Installed apps menu in Windows Settings (check the steps above).
Step 2: Click the three-dot menu beside Snipping Tool and hit Uninstall.
Confirm the same. Launch the Microsoft Store and download the Snipping Tool again.
10. Update Windows
Snipping Tool may not work as expected on an outdated system build. You can head to Settings > Windows Update and install the latest OS on your laptop.
Annotate Screenshots on the Go
If you completely want to ditch the Snipping Tool on Windows, go with one of the alternative tools to capture the screen. Snagit is one such popular tool to record and capture screen on Windows. Have you managed to resolve the problem? Which trick worked for you? Share it in the comments below.
