If Windows + Shift + S is not working, you’re likely frustrated. This handy keyboard shortcut is used to capture part of your screen using the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch. But when it suddenly stops working, your workflow is interrupted.
You may be wondering:
Why is Windows Shift S not working?
Why doesn’t Windows Shift S work even after restarting?
Why is my Windows Shift S not working only sometimes?
This guide explains all the possible reasons and offers 7 easy methods to fix it. Plus, we’ll cover one strange but common reason: a stuck Windows key.
Let’s fix it.
The Windows + Shift + S shortcut triggers Snip & Sketch or the newer Snipping Tool in Windows 10 and Windows 11. But sometimes it may stop working due to:
Snip & Sketch not running correctly
Disabled clipboard history
Conflicting keyboard settings
Corrupt system files
Background apps interfering
Stuck keyboard keys
When this happens, you might ask:
Why does Windows Shift S not work anymore?
Why won’t Windows Shift S work even after updates?
Don’t worry—we’ve got the fixes.
Believe it or not, one of the simplest reasons Windows + Shift + S is not working is a stuck or faulty Windows key.
Sometimes the key gets pressed down slightly and doesn’t fully reset. If it’s stuck, the entire shortcut becomes unresponsive.
Press the Windows key alone and see if the Start menu opens.
Try pressing it firmly and releasing.
Use an on-screen keyboard to test the shortcut.
Plug in an external keyboard and try the shortcut again.
Why is Shift Windows S not working? Because your hardware might be stuck!
Fixing sticky keys can solve the issue if Windows Shift S is not working occasionally or only on certain keyboards.
Below are seven tested methods to restore the screenshot shortcut. Each includes a summary and step-by-step bullet points.
If the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch app has crashed or is frozen in the background, pressing Windows + Shift + S won’t respond. Restarting the app using Task Manager can immediately fix this. It’s one of the simplest and fastest ways to resolve this shortcut issue.
Steps:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
Look for SnippingTool.exe or Snip & Sketch
Right-click and choose End Task
Reopen the tool from Start Menu
Try the shortcut again: Windows + Shift + S
Still wondering why doesn’t Windows Shift S work? Let’s try the next method.
The Windows + Shift + S shortcut relies on Clipboard History to store the captured screenshot. If this setting is turned off, your snip may work but won’t save—leading you to believe it failed. Turning Clipboard History on ensures your screenshots are properly saved and ready to paste.
Steps:
Go to Settings > System > Clipboard
Turn on Clipboard History
Restart your PC
Try using Windows + Shift + S again
Now your Windows Shift S not working problem could be solved.
Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch needs permission to run in the background, especially to activate via shortcuts. If background activity is restricted by Windows settings or power-saving modes, the app can’t launch correctly. Ensuring background permissions are enabled allows the tool to run when triggered.
Steps:
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps
Find Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch
Click Advanced Options
Under Background app permissions, choose “Always” or “Power optimized”
Restart your PC
If you’re asking why is my Windows Shift S not working, this is a major cause.
Sometimes the Windows + Shift + S shortcut gets disabled due to keyboard mapping errors or system updates. Reassigning the function to another key like Print Screen from Windows Settings or using PowerToys ensures you can still take screenshots if the default shortcut fails.
Steps:
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard
Scroll to Shortcuts > Print Screen Shortcut
Enable “Use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping”
Use Print Screen instead or download a remapping tool like PowerToys to reset Windows + Shift + S
Don’t let shortcut conflicts be the reason why doesn’t Windows Shift S work anymore.
Over time, the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch app may become corrupted or misconfigured. Using Windows Settings to repair or reset the app reinstalls its default files, often fixing errors that prevent the shortcut from working. It’s an official, safe fix that requires no technical skill.
Steps:
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps
Search Snipping Tool
Click Advanced Options
First, click Repair
If that doesn’t work, click Reset
Restart the system
This is one of the best solutions if Windows Shift S is not working even after updates.
Microsoft regularly releases system and driver updates that fix bugs, including those affecting screenshot tools. An outdated Windows version or display driver may be the reason why Windows + Shift + S isn’t responding. Keeping your system updated ensures better stability, security, and full feature compatibility.
Steps:
Open Settings > Windows Update > Check for Updates
Install all pending updates
Open Device Manager > Expand “Display Adapters”
Right-click and choose Update Driver
Restart your PC
Now try using Windows + Shift + S again. If it works, the issue was software-based.
If your physical keys are broken or unresponsive, launching Snipping Tool manually from the Start Menu or using the On-Screen Keyboard helps bypass the shortcut entirely. This confirms whether the problem lies with your hardware or just the shortcut, and still lets you take screenshots.
Steps:
Press Windows + S and type Snipping Tool
Pin it to your taskbar for quick access
You can also use the on-screen keyboard to simulate Windows + Shift + S
Try plugging in an external keyboard
Why is Windows Shift S not working? Sometimes it’s the keyboard itself.
Third-party screenshot apps like Lightshot, Greenshot, or Dropbox can override the Windows + Shift + S shortcut. These tools might silently intercept the key combination or block Windows’ native snipping tool. Disabling or uninstalling these apps resolves any conflicts and restores default screenshot functionality.
Steps:
Exit or uninstall any third-party screenshot tools
Check startup apps in Task Manager > Startup tab
Disable apps that manage screenshots
Restart your PC
Once removed, test the shortcut again. Why is windows shift s not working? It might’ve been a conflict!
Corrupted Windows system files can break various functions—including screenshot tools. Running the sfc /scannow command scans for and repairs damaged files. It’s a reliable system-level fix when simpler methods don’t work and is especially helpful if other shortcuts or tools are also malfunctioning.
Steps:
Press Windows + S and type Command Prompt
Right-click > Run as administrator
Type: sfc /scannow and press Enter
Wait for the scan to complete
Restart your PC
Still asking how to fix Windows Shift S not working? This method is a system-level fix.
Summary:
In workplace or school devices, Group Policy settings may block screenshot tools.
Steps:
Press Windows + R > type gpedit.msc
Go to: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Tablet PC > Accessories
Double-click “Do not allow Snipping Tool to run”
Set to Disabled or Not Configured
Click Apply > OK > Restart
This is especially useful if Windows + Shift + S is not working on work laptops.
The Snipping Tool shows a notification after you capture a screenshot using Windows + Shift + S. If notifications are disabled, you may think the shortcut isn’t working—even though it is.
Steps:
Go to Settings > System > Notifications
Scroll down and find Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch
Make sure Notifications are turned ON
Enable all options: banners, sounds, and notifications in Action Center
Try taking a screenshot again and check if the notification appears
Why is Windows Shift S not working? It may be working silently without visual feedback!
If Windows + Shift + S refuses to work, Windows 10/11 allows you to reassign the Print Screen (PrtSc) key to open the Snipping Tool. This gives you a dedicated screenshot key and bypasses shortcut conflicts or keyboard mapping problems.
Steps in Bullet Points:
Press Windows + I to open Settings
Go to Accessibility (or Ease of Access in Windows 10)
Select Keyboard from the left menu
Scroll down to “Print Screen shortcut” section
Turn ON “Use the Print screen button to open screen snipping”
Press the Print Screen (PrtSc) key to test the shortcut
If needed, restart your computer to apply changes
This method is especially useful when the original Windows + Shift + S shortcut doesn’t respond, giving you a one-key screenshot solution.
If you’re using a work or school computer, your administrator may have disabled screenshot tools via group policy.
Steps:
Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter
Navigate to: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Tablet PC > Accessories
Make sure “Do not allow Snipping Tool to run” is set to Not Configured or Disabled
If you’ve been searching online why is Windows Shift S not working, now you have the answers. Whether it’s a software glitch, a background permission, or even a hardware key issue, these 7 methods help you fix it fast.
Let’s recap the main keywords used:
Windows + Shift + S not working
Why is Windows Shift S not working
Why doesn’t Windows Shift S work
Try all the above methods in order. One of them will definitely solve your problem.
It could be due to a corrupted app, stuck Windows key, or disabled clipboard history. Follow the full guide to fix the issue completely.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and reassign the Print Screen button to open screen snipping. Also check app permissions.
Background apps, conflicting shortcuts, or even third-party apps like Lightshot can interfere. Try disabling such apps temporarily.
Yes. You can remap the key using PowerToys or use Print Screen, Alt + Print Screen, or open Snipping Tool manually.
It may be a physical issue with your keyboard. Test using an external keyboard or use the on-screen keyboard.
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