{"id":19258,"date":"2023-10-29T17:00:17","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T11:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.systweak.com\/blogs\/?p=19258"},"modified":"2024-06-07T12:26:59","modified_gmt":"2024-06-07T06:56:59","slug":"windows-shift-s-not-working-on-windows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.systweak.com\/blogs\/windows-shift-s-not-working-on-windows\/","title":{"rendered":"Windows + Shift + S Not Working – How to Activate It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Windows+Shift+S is a handy shortcut that allows capturing screens on a Windows PC. Every user who takes screenshots knows about it and uses it. While things are usually smooth when taking a screenshot on Windows, there have been incidents where the shortcut stops working completely or <\/span>after one-time use<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever the case, if the Win shortcut has stopped working for you, there are different ways to fix it. Some users believe that the issue is related to the Snipping tool used by Windows, while others have concerns about the <\/span>keyboard not working properly<\/a>. Either way, a user struggles to get the job done.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This post will discuss some regular and advanced troubleshooting methods to solve the Windows+Shift+S shortcut not working error.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s begin!<\/span><\/p>\n

What to Do When You\u00a0 Have Just Upgraded to Windows 11 & Window-Shift-S No longer works?<\/h3>\n

Before we begin the fixes you can try on your PC, let us address one of the most common issues users have shared. Lately, people have encountered a situation where Windows shortcut stopped working after upgrading to Windows 11.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Windows 11 was rolled out, one of its builds had an issue related to shortcuts not working. However, with the latest updates, it has been fixed.\u00a0 Hence, the first thing you should do is download and install Windows updates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To do so, follow these steps: <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Windows 11\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Press Windows + I to open Windows settings. Choose the Windows Update option from the left panel > click Check for updates, and download and install the <\/span>latest updates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If the problem persists, ensure that the latest version of the <\/span>Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch is running.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/i><\/div>\n
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Note : <\/strong>You should always download the application from the Microsoft Store, not a third-party platform, as these often have an older version.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n

Some users have also shared that setting<\/span><\/a> the date to October 30, 2021, has fixed the issue. However, you might not need it, as multiple updates have been released since then.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

11 Ways to Fix Windows+Shift+S Not Working on PC<\/h2>\n

Fix 1 – End the Snipping Tool Process in Task Manager<\/h3>\n

A simple glitch can make the keyboard shortcut non-functional. Hence, the Snipping Tool process from Task Manager should be ended to fix the issue. To do so, follow these steps:<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what you can do –\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 1 – Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager on your PC.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"task<\/p>\n

Step 2 – Look for the Snipping tool in the running processes.
\n<\/span>Step 3 – Select the process and click on End task.<\/span><\/p>\n

After finishing the task, search the Start menu for the Snipping tool. Relaunch the app and try using the shortcut. It should work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read Also: How to Fix the Windows Taskbar Not Working Issue<\/a><\/p>\n

Fix 2 – Enable Clipboard History<\/h3>\n

The screenshot you take, or the region you select on the screen to capture, is directly pasted to the clipboard on your PC. If, for any reason, the clipboard history is off on your PC, the screenshots are not saved, and the purpose of Win+Shift+S is lost. Make sure you enable it using the steps below \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 1 – Press Win+I to open System Settings. <\/span>
\n<\/span>Step 2 – In System settings, scroll down to find Clipboard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"System<\/p>\n

Step 3 – Open Clipboard and toggle ON the Clipboard History option.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Clipboard<\/p>\n

When you want to paste your screenshots, simply press ctrl+V to access your clipboard and easily paste the one you want.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Windows 10<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Open Windows settings. Press Windows + I to access it.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Select System.<\/span>
    \n<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Clipboard<\/b> > Toggle the button next to <\/span>Clipboard history<\/b> to enable the option<\/span>
    \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    You should now be able to use the Windows key + Shift + S to grab the screen, and pressing Windows + V will show you the clipboard history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Fix 3 – Reset the Snipping Tool<\/h3>\n

    Enabling clipboard history and ending the process doesn\u2019t resolve the issue of the <\/span>snipping tool and keyboard shortcut not working<\/span><\/a>. Try resetting the app. <\/span><\/p>\n

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    \n
    <\/i><\/div>\n
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    Note : <\/strong>Resetting will restore the app settings to their default state, which means you will have to customize the changes again.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n

    Step 1 – Go to the Start Menu, search for Installed Apps, and hit enter.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"search<\/p>\n

    Step 2 \u2013 You will now get a list of apps installed on your PC.<\/span>
    \n<\/span>Step 3 \u2013 Search for the Snipping tool app > right-click it > click on Advanced Options.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Advanced<\/p>\n

    Step 4 \u2013 From here click Reset, and you are done.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"click<\/p>\n

    Keep in mind that resetting the application will change every setting to default, making it a completely new application. So, if you have made any changes, you may have to make them again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Windows 10<\/b><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Open Windows Settings. > select <\/span>Apps<\/b>.<\/span>
      \n<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. In the right pane under <\/span>Apps & features<\/b>, look for <\/span>Snip & Sketch<\/b>. Click on it and select <\/span>Advanced options<\/b>.<\/span><\/span>\"Snip\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Scroll down and look for the Reset option. Click on it and confirm the action when prompted.<\/span>
      \n<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Once the process is finished, restart the PC.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      The shortcut should not be working. If not, move to the next fix.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Fix 4 \u2013 Make Sure There\u2019s No Conflict in the Shortcuts<\/h3>\n

      If you like customizing your experience in various apps and have added custom shortcuts for them, make sure none of them coincide with your snipping shortcut. You can check other apps, such as screen recording software<\/a>, Xbox game recorder, etc., to ensure that none of these apps use the same screenshot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      The conflict in shortcuts can be a typical reason your screenshot shortcut is not working properly. Hence, we recommend you avoid any similar application that may use the same shortcut.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Fix 5 – Disable Gaming Mode on Your Keyboard<\/h3>\n

      If you use a Logitech Pro gaming keyboard that offers you a dedicated gaming mode to enhance your experience, you must disable the gaming settings on the keyboard. Sometimes, these settings map the keys on the keyboard concerning the games you play. This means there is a high chance that your keyboard interprets Windows+Shift+S as something else in gaming mode. If your keyboard switches to a gaming mode, your attempts to take a keyboard using a shortcut might get wasted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      To ensure that your keyboard is not in gaming mode, you should use the dedicated Game Mode key to disable it. You can find the <\/span>game mode key <\/span><\/a>on the keyboard in the top right section.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

      Fix 6 – Ensure Keyboard Keys are Working\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Another important thing to remember is that the Windows+Shift+S not working error is not limited to a software anomaly and can be caused by malfunctioning hardware. If any of the 3 keys, i.e., Windows, Shift, or S, are not functioning properly, the shortcut won\u2019t work as you expect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      To check and ensure that these keys are working properly, try using the keys individually –\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n