The key Print Screen It is a very useful shortcut to quickly capture images of our screen. However, sometimes this functionality may not work as expected, causing frustration and difficulties. In this article, we are going to analyze the possible reasons why Print Screen is not working and offer alternative solutions to capture your screen effectively.
Check keyboard settings
First of all, it is important to make sure that the keyboard is configured correctly and in good condition. There may be problems with the keyboard drivers or with the Print Screen key itself.
- Make sure the keyboard is properly connected to the device and in good condition.
- Verify that the keyboard driver is updated. If necessary, update or reinstall it.
- If you are using an external keyboard, try swapping it for another one to see if the problem persists.
Use screenshot software
If the Print Screen key still does not work, there are a lot of screen capture software available that can help you take screenshots quickly and easily.
- Snipping Tool: a tool built into Windows that allows you to take screenshots quickly and in a personalized way.
- LightShot – A free program that offers advanced screenshot features.
- Snagit – A powerful screenshot tool that offers video recording and editing features.
Use alternative key combinations
In some cases, the problem may not be with the Print Screen key, but with the key combination you are using. You can try the following key combinations to capture the screen:
- Print Screen + Windows: Captures the entire screen and automatically saves it to the images folder.
- Alt + Print Screen: Captures only the active window.
- Fn + Print Screen: It works on some laptops where you need to hold down the Fn key to activate the feature.
Review clipboard settings
The Print Screen key saves the screenshot to the Windows clipboard, so it's important to make sure the clipboard is working properly.
- Reset the Windows clipboard: Open the command prompt and type
cmd /c "echo off | clip". - If you are using third-party software to manage your clipboard, try temporarily disabling it.
Adjust BIOS settings
Some devices may have the Print Screen function disabled in the BIOS settings. While it is not very common, you may need to check the BIOS and activate the feature for it to work properly.
To access the BIOS, reboot the device and press the corresponding key (usually F2, F10, DEL, or ESC) during startup. Look for the keyboard configuration option and verify that it is active.
Throughout this article, we have explored alternative solutions to capture the screen when the key Print Screen not working. It is possible that, with some of these solutions, you can continue capturing the screen effectively and continue with your activities without major inconveniences.
