Resolving Print Screen Problems on Windows 10
As avid Windows users, we’ve all been there – excitedly trying to capture a screenshot using the Print Screen key, only to be met with… nothing. It’s a frustrating experience, but don’t panic! With a few tweaks, you can get your Print Screen button functioning again in no time.
After consulting dedicated Windows forums and collaborating with experts, we’ve discovered several effective techniques to troubleshoot Print Screen difficulties on Windows 10. By following the solutions below, you’ll be prepared to handle this common tech hiccup.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
The good news is Windows 10 offers alternative keyboard shortcuts you can use to capture screenshots. Test these out to see if you can bypass the Print Screen issue entirely:
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Alt + Print Screen– Captures a screenshot of your currently active window.
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Windows Key + Print Screen– Takes a full screenshot and saves it as an image file in your Pictures > Screenshots folder.
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Windows Key + Shift + S– Launches the Snip & Sketch app so you can take customized partial screenshots.
These handy hotkeys provide a quick workaround while you investigate the root cause of your Print Screen problems.
Closing Conflicting Programs
Sometimes the Print Screen key stops working because of another program running in the background. Image editors and screenshot tools like Snipping Tool, Lightshot, and Greenshot may take priority over the standard Print Screen function.
Try closing any third-party apps that could interfere with Print Screen. Once they’re shut down, test Print Screen again to see if that resolved the issue.
Disabling F Lock
On certain keyboard models, pressing the F Lock key prevents you from using F1 – F12 and associated keys like Print Screen.
If you have an F Lock button enabled, the Print Screen key will be disabled. Press F Lock again to reactivate Print Screen.
Updating Drivers
Like other hardware components, keyboards rely on up-to-date drivers to operate correctly. An outdated, buggy, or altogether missing driver can cause your Print Screen key to stop working.
Open Device Manager and check for any driver issues indicated by yellow exclamation marks. If the keyboard driver needs updating, search for the latest version online and install it. Reboot your PC afterwards.
Running Troubleshooters
Windows 10 has built-in troubleshooting tools that can diagnose Print Screen difficulties and make automatic repairs.
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and run the keyboard troubleshooter first. If that doesn’t find the issue, run the Windows key troubleshooter.
Performing Clean Boot
Booting Windows 10 in Safe Mode starts your PC with only the essential drivers and services. This isolates whether a problematic third-party program is causing your Print Screen woes.
If Print Screen works in Safe Mode, you know a recently installed app is likely the culprit. You can then troubleshoot by selectively uninstalling or updating programs.
When to Seek Professional Help
With the solutions above, you should be able to resolve most Print Screen problems on Windows 10. However, if you still can’t get it working after trying all the troubleshooting steps, the issue may require professional intervention.
Signs that your Print Screen key needs expert repair include:
- Physically damaged or unresponsive key.
- Missing or corrupted keyboard driver.
- Outdated system BIOS/UEFI firmware.
In these cases, seek assistance from a qualified technician. They can inspect your keyboard hardware, reinstall drivers, and update your PC’s firmware as needed.
We hope these tips help you reactivate your Print Screen key and resume capturing awesome Windows screenshots. Let us know in the comments if you have any other creative solutions for fixing Print Screen issues!
