Windows 11/10 offers a built-in tool — Snipping Tool — to take screenshots. While it works well, users have reported that it sometimes causes Windows to lock or freeze, and even crash. This is a similar scenario that occurs when the Print Screen button is used. This post will guide you on fixing the problem where the Snipping Tool gets Windows locked, freezes, or crashes the OS.
Snipping Tool locked up, freezes, or crashes in Windows 11/10
Use these suggestions to fix this Snipping tool issue.
- Run System File Checker
- Close Snipping Tool using Al + Tab
- Run System Maintenance troubleshooter
- Update graphics driver
- Reset or Reinstall Snipping Tool.
You will need an admin user account to sort the problem.
1] Run System File Checker
Open Run prompt using Win + R and then press Shift + Enter after typing CMD. Once the command prompt opens with admin privileges, type sfc /scannow in the command line, press the Enter key. Relaunch the tool by typing snippingtool.exe on the command prompt. Then try taking a screenshot and see if the issue persists.
2] Close Snipping Tool using Al + Tab
At times, the Snipping tool in Windows stops working when taking a screenshot. The app doesn’t close on its own and doesn’t show a screenshot; instead, the screen stays dimmed. You can also not use any other program because Snipping Tool stays on top of everything, even Task Manager. In this case, follow the steps to close the snipping tool.
- Use Alt+Tab still, and it will list all the open programs.
- Next to the Snipping tool losing, there is a small X that appears.
- Hover an application thumbnail with the mouse. Using this, you can close Snipping Tool.
You can try to open the Task Manager using Ctrl + Shift + Esc, locate the Snipping tool listing, and close the program. However, it may not work all the time as the snipping tool still stays on the top.
3] Update the graphics driver
Screenshot tools use the display drivers to capture part of the screen. If there is a conflict between the driver and the screenshot tool, this may happen. While it’s rare and causes other problems, you can check if the OEM’s website offers any driver updates. If yes, then update the display driver and check if the issue resurfaces.
4] Run System Maintenance troubleshooter
If your Windows OS offers a built-in System Maintenance troubleshooter that helps find and clean up problems that cause the problem on the computer.
- Type System Maintenance in the Start Menu and click Perform recommended tasks automatically.
- Click on Advance and click on Run as Administrator.
- Click on the Next button and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
Alternatively, you could run the following command:
%systemroot%\system32\msdt.exe -id MaintenanceDiagnostic
Check if the problem reappears.
5] Reset or Reinstall Snipping Tool
If nothing helps, open Windows Settings > Installed apps > Snipping Tool > Advanced options.
Click on the Reset button, restart your PC and see if it helps.
If it does not, Uninstall it, go to the Microsoft Store to download and install it, and see if that helps.
FAQs on the Snipping tool and Windows Freeze
Here are a few questions about the Snipping Tool to help you understand the problem.
Win + Shift+ S freezing
It’s a shortcut to launch the snipping tool, and because of conflict with the display driver, the computer might freeze.
How do you unfreeze the Snipping Tool?
You can use ALT + TAB to close the Snipping Tool. It will reveal all the open windows, and then you can choose to close the app.
Why did my Snipping Tool stop working?
If the Snipping Tool is not working, then it’s because of a conflict with the display driver or a problem within the app. This post will help you if the Snipping Tool is not saving screenshots.
I hope the post was easy to follow and that you were able to understand the underlying issue that causes Windows to freeze when using the Snipping tool.
