Some PC users may encounter the Snip and Sketch not working or freezes or the Snipping tool locked, freezes, or crashing issue on Windows 11 or Windows 10 device. In this post, we provide the most suitable solutions to resolve the A problem with Windows is preventing Screen Snipping from opening issue while trying to access the Screen Snipping Tool on Windows 11/10 computer. In some cases, it’s possible to launch the app, but creating a new capture will result in the error.
When you encounter this issue, you’ll receive the following full error message;
A problem with Windows is preventing Screen Snipping from opening. Refreshing your PC might help fix it
A problem with Windows is preventing Screen Snipping from opening
If you’re faced with this issue, you can try our recommended solutions below in no particular order and see if that helps to fix the A problem with Windows is preventing Screen Snipping from opening error that has occurred on your Windows 11/10 PC.
- Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter
- Launch the app via File Explorer
- Manually adjust Date & time settings on PC
- Repair/Reset/Uninstall Snipping Tool
- Use an alternate screenshot tool.
Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions.
Before you try the solutions below, check for updates and install any available bits on your Windows 11/10 device and see if the error reappears when you launch the program.
1] Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter
When you encounter the A problem with Windows is preventing Screen Snipping from opening error on your Windows 11/10 PC, you can run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter and see if that helps.
To run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter on your Windows 11 device, do the following:
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings app.
- Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Under the Other section, find Windows Store Apps.
- Click Run button.
- Follow on-screen instructions and apply any recommended fixes.
To run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter on your Windows 10 PC, do the following:
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings app.
- Go to Update and Security.
- Click the Troubleshooter tab.
- Scroll down and click on Windows Store Apps.
- Click the Run the troubleshooter button.
- Follow on-screen instructions and apply any recommended fixes.
Read: Fix Snipping Tool This app can’t open error
2] Launch the app via File Explorer
Affected PC users reported that using the Windows key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut does not launch the Snipping Tool to take screenshots. In this case, to work around the issue, you can use the Print Screen key on your Windows 11/10 device and see if that helps or open the app via File Explorer.
To directly open the app via File Explorer on your device, do the following:
- Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
- Navigate to the following path:
C:\Windows\System32
- In the System32 folder, scroll to find or type in SnippingTool in the search box on the top-left corner.
- Once found, double-click on the SnippingTool to open the app.
- Exit File Explorer.
Note: If you have recently upgraded your system to a newer version of Windows, you need to open the Windows.old folder and then access the Windows\System32 folder and launch the Snipping Tool app from that location.
3] Manually adjust Date & time settings on PC
This is a workaround as well that worked for some affected users, which requires you to manually change the date to a previous date and then take a screenshot, once the capture is successful, change the date back to the current setting on your Windows 11/10 system, then relaunch the Snipping Tool app and take screenshots as usual.
4] Repair/Reset/Uninstall Snipping Tool
This solution requires you to first repair the Snipping Tool app, and if that doesn’t resolve the issue at hand, you can proceed to reset the app. If neither of the actions worked for you, you can uninstall and reinstall Snipping Tool app. You can use 10AppsManager to uninstall, reinstall Windows Store apps and can also re-register or reinstall Windows Store Apps via PowerShell in Windows 11/10.
5] Use an alternate screenshot tool
If nothing works for you, you may consider using Microsoft Snip Screen Capture Tool or a third-party free screenshot tool.
Hope this helps!
How do you take a screenshot on Windows without Snipping Tool?
The following are the quick steps to take a screenshot on Windows without Snipping Tool:
- Press the Print Screen key or Fn + Print Screen.
- Press Win + Print Screen or Fn + Windows + Print Screen on your keyboard.
- Press Alt + Print Screen or Fn + Alt + Print Screen on your keyboard to capture the active window, and save it to the clipboard.
You can also take screenshots with Mouse Pointer and Cursor included.
How do I fix the Snip tool in Windows 11/10?
If the Snipping Tool is not working on your Windows 11/10 system, then first try to relaunch the app. Open Task Manager, find and kill the SnippingTool.exe process, then relaunch the app. If that doesn’t work, run the SFC scan, and check if there is some conflict between the Snipping Tool and other third-party software. You can also enable the Snipping Tool using Group Policy Editor. Look for the Do not allow Snipping Tool to run setting in Group Policy and set it to Not Configured or Enabled.
