Print Screen stopped working on a laptop: how to return the screenshot function?

Button Print Screen (or PrtSc) is one of the most popular tools for quickly taking screenshots, but sometimes it suddenly stops working. Users are facing a situation where pressing a key does not save the screenshot to the clipboard or does not open the tool "Scissors", and in some cases the key does not respond to presses at all. The reasons may lie in both software failures and hardware problems - from disabled services to physical damage to the keyboard.

In this article we will look at all possible reasons, according to which Print Screen stopped working on laptop (including models ASUS, Lenovo, HP, Acer etc.), and offer 10 proven methods restoration of function. We will pay special attention to the nuances for Windows 10 And Windows 11, and also consider alternative methods of creating screenshots if the standard method does not work.

Why the Print Screen button does not work: main reasons

Before you begin to fix the problem, it is important to understand its root. Here are the most common reasons why PrtSc may not function:

• 🔄 Hotkey conflict: some programs (for example, OneDrive, Dropbox or game launchers) intercept keyboard shortcuts, including PrtSc.
• 🖥️ Disabled clipboard service: in Windows 10/11, the service is responsible for taking screenshots Clipboard, which can be deactivated.
• 🔧 Problems with keyboard drivers: Outdated or damaged drivers cause keys to not work correctly.
• 🎮 Game mode or special modes: On some laptops (eg MSI or Alienware) activated game mode blocks standard keyboard shortcuts.
• 💻 Physical damage to the key: if button PrtSc stuck or damaged, it may not operate.
• 🔄 Windows Updates: after major updates (for example, Windows 11 23H2) sometimes the hotkey settings get lost.

Interestingly, on some laptops (for example, Lenovo ThinkPad or Dell XPS) function Print Screen can be reassigned to other default actions. The problem also often occurs when using external keyboards or connecting via RDP (remote desktop).

Method 1: Checking the Key Combination Fn + PrtSc

On many laptops (especially compact ones, for example, Lenovo IdeaPad or HP Pavilion) key Print Screen only works in combination with Fn. This is due to the limited number of buttons on the keyboard. Try:

1. Click Fn + PrtSc (sometimes you need to hold Fn 1–2 seconds).
2. Open any graphics editor (for example, Paint) and insert an image (Ctrl + V).
3. If the screenshot appears, the problem is solved. If not, move on to the next method.

On some models (for example, ASUS ROG) to activate function keys (F1–F12 And PrtSc) must be pressed Fn + Esc (this switches the operating mode Fn).

Method 2: Checking the clipboard and services Clipboard

If the button Print Screen does not save the picture to the clipboard, the problem may be a disabled service Clipboard (clipboard). To check it:

1. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and press Enter.
2. Find the service in the list "Clipboard History" (Clipboard User Service).
3. Make sure that the column "State" indicated "Works", and in "Startup type" — "Automatic".
4. If the service is disabled, right-click on it → "Run".

Also check if clipboard history is enabled in Windows settings:

1. Open Settings → System → Clipboard.
2. Activate the switch "Clipboard History".

What should I do if the Clipboard service does not start?

If you see an error when you try to start the service "Access denied" or "The service could not be started", follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Win + X → Command Prompt (Administrator)).
2. Enter the command:

   sc config cbdhsvc start= auto

   and press Enter.
3. Then do:

   sc start cbdhsvc

4. Restart your computer.

Method 3: Update or reinstall keyboard drivers

Outdated or damaged keyboard drivers are one of the most common reasons why Print Screen doesn't work. To update the driver:

1. Click Win + X and select "Device Manager".
2. Expand the section "Keyboards".
3. Right-click on your keyboard (for example, "Keyboard HID" or "Standard PS/2 Keyboard") → "Update driver".
4. Select "Automatic search" and wait for completion.

If the update doesn't help, try remove driver and reinstall it:

1. B "Device Manager" right click on the keyboard → "Remove device".
2. Confirm the removal and restart your laptop - Windows will automatically install the driver again.

For laptops Lenovo, HP And Dell It is recommended to download the driver from the manufacturer's official website, since standard Windows drivers may not support all function keys.

Update the driver via Device Manager|Uninstall and reinstall the driver|Download the driver from the manufacturer's website|Check PrtSc operation after reboot

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Method 4: Check for conflicts with programs (OneDrive, Steam, Discord)

Some applications (for example, OneDrive, Steam, Discord or NVIDIA GeForce Experience) can intercept keyboard shortcuts, including PrtSc. To check this:

• 📁 OneDrive: open settings (Right-click on the tray icon → Options → Saving screenshots) and disable the option "Save screenshots automatically".
• 🎮 Steam: go to Settings → In game → Keyboard shortcuts and check if the key is not assigned PrtSc for other actions.
• 💬 Discord: in settings (User Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts) make sure that PrtSc not used for chat screenshots.

Also temporarily disable startup of these programs and restart your laptop. If Print Screen earned - the culprit has been found.

Method 5: Using Alternative Screenshot Methods

If standard Print Screen It still doesn’t work, use alternative methods:

Method	Keyboard shortcut	Where is the screenshot saved?
Win + PrtSc	Win + PrtSc	Folder This PC → Pictures → Screenshots
Alt + PrtSc	Alt + PrtSc	Clipboard (active window only)
Snipping Tool	Win + Shift + S	Clipboard (editable)
Xbox Game Bar	Win + Alt + PrtSc	Folder Video → Capture

For Windows 11 new tool also available "Clipping and Annotation" (Win + Shift + S), which allows you to select arbitrary areas of the screen.

Method 6: Check the Windows Registry (Advanced Users)

In rare cases, there is a problem with Print Screen associated with incorrect entries in the Windows registry. Warning: Editing the registry may cause system crashes - create a restore point before you begin!

To check registry keys:

1. Click Win + R, enter regedit and press Enter.
2. Follow the path:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

3. Make sure there is an option on the right side of the window ScreenshotIndex (responsible for numbering screenshots). If it doesn't exist, create it:
   • RMB → "New" → "DWORD Value (32 bits)".
   • Name it ScreenshotIndex and set the value 1.

Also check out this thread:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

There shouldn't be a parameter here NoSaveSettings with meaning 1 (if there is one, delete it).

What to do if nothing helps?

If none of the methods worked Print Screen, consider the following options:

• 🔧 Connect an external keyboard: if PrtSc works on it, the problem is in the laptop hardware.
• 🔄 Restore the system: Go back to the restore point you created before the problem occurred (Start → System Restore).
• 💻 Check your laptop for viruses: Some malware blocks hotkeys.
• 🔧 Contact the service center: If a key is physically damaged (for example, after being exposed to liquid), the keyboard will need to be replaced.

On laptops with Touch Bar (For example, MacBook Pro or some models ASUS) function Print Screen can be hidden in the virtual panel. Try pressing Fn to display additional buttons.

How to check the keyboard for hardware damage?

1. Connect an external keyboard via USB.
2. If PrtSc It works on it, but not on the built-in one, the problem is in the hardware.
3. Try gently moving the key PrtSc — if it “fails” or gets stuck, repairs are required.
4. For diagnostics, use the utility Keyboard Test (available in HWiNFO or AIDA64).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Print Screen not working

🔹 Why doesn’t PrtSc work on a Lenovo laptop even with Fn?

On many models Lenovo (For example, ThinkPad or Yoga) key PrtSc disabled by default in BIOS. To activate it:

1. Reboot your laptop and go into BIOS (F2 or Del when loading).
2. Find a section "Configuration" → "HotKey Mode".
3. Set value "Disabled" (this will enable standard function key mode).
4. Save changes (F10) and reboot.

🔹 Is it possible to reassign another key to Print Screen?

Yes, using the utility AutoHotkey or built-in Windows tools:

1. Download AutoHotkey from the official website.
2. Create a file with the extension .ahk and add the line:

   F12::Send {PrintScreen}

   (this will reassign F12 on PrtSc).

3. Run the script.

You can also use "Accessibility Options" in Windows to assign new combinations.

🔹 Why are screenshots not saved to the “Screenshots” folder?

If the combination Win + PrtSc does not save files, check:

• 📁 Folder permissions Images\Screenshots (right click → "Properties" → "Security").
• 🔄Settings OneDrive (disable automatic saving of screenshots to the cloud).
• 💾 Free disk space C: - if it is less than 5%, Windows may not save files.

🔹 How to take a screenshot on a laptop with a broken screen?

If the screen does not work, but the laptop is turned on:

1. Connect an external monitor via HDMI or DisplayPort.
2. Use a combination Win + PrtSc — the screenshot will be saved to a folder Screenshots.
3. If an external monitor is not connected either, use voice assistant (For example, Cortana or Siri) to run the tool "Scissors" voice command.

🔹 Why does PrtSc work in games, but not in regular applications?

In most games (eg. CS:GO, GTA V or Fortnite) key PrtSc is locked by default to avoid accidental screenshots. Instead, use:

• 🎮 Steam: F12 (saves the screenshot to the Steam cloud).
• 🖥️ NVIDIA ShadowPlay: Alt + F1.
• 🔴 AMD ReLive: Ctrl + Shift + S.

To unlock PrtSc in the game, disable these functions in the graphics utilities settings.

If after all the manipulations Print Screen it still didn’t work, the most likely reason is a hardware malfunction of the keyboard. In this case, it is recommended to contact a service center or use an external keyboard. For a temporary solution, install one of the alternative screenshot programs, for example, Lightshot or ShareX - They offer more features than the standard Windows tool.