When attempting to launch the Snipping Tool in Windows you get the following error:

Bobbysolis Dec 18, 2014 at 6:32 AM. Cache mode was the culprit! Unchecked cache and Snipping Tool started working properly. Checking cache mode should be next in line for general troubleshooting, right behind rebooting the PC. Reset App in Windows 10. If not, then you can try the command for the Snip & Sketch app in Option Two of the tutorial below to reinstall and re-register the app. Reinstall and Re-register Apps in Windows 10. In addition, check for app updates in the Microsoft Store app to see if a new version of Snip & Sketch may be available.

'The Snipping Tool is not working on your computer right now. Restart your computer, and then try again. If the problem persists, contact your system administrator.'

5 Steps total

Step 1: When Launching Snipping Tool you get the following error

'The Snipping Tool is not working on your computer right now. Restart your computer, and then try again. If the problem persists, contact your system administrator.'

To resolve this issue, do the following.

Step 2: Click Start

Click the Start Menu icon

Step 3: Type the following in the command line

sfc /scannow

Step 4: Verify the tool is fixed

In the command line type the following:

snippingtool.exe

Hit [ENTER]

Step 5: Verify shortcut

If the tool launched in step three, you will then want to verify that the shortcut is also working.

Go to the Snipping Tool Icon

Start>All Programs>Accessories>Snipping Tool

and launch the application.

3 Comments

• Datil
  Paolo0111 Nov 16, 2012 at 12:16pm

  Thanks Stefan, I never had the need to restore this instrument, but good to know.

• Pimiento
  Stefan Dimmick Nov 16, 2012 at 06:27pm

  I had never come across this either until recently and the information I found (via internet resources) happened to be rather convoluted, so I thought that entering a step by step resolution was best. :)

• Pimiento
  AJhard Oct 12, 2018 at 12:37am

  Didn't work, says i must run as administrator, and everytime i try to do that i'm never able to run as freakin administrator!! swear administrator options were the dumbest idea ever conceived!!

'When attempting to run the Snipping Tool in Windows 10, I got the following error:'The Snipping Tool is not working on your computer right now. Restart your computer, and then try again.'

The Snipping Tool is a screenshot software included in Windows, light weight and useful. Recently, we have heard from those who found Snipping tool not working on Windows 7/8/10, etc. Some reported that the Snipping Tool just shows a black screen or blank screen, instead of the actual screenshot; some complained that when they click on 'save as', nothing pops up; some got a message stating that 'The Snipping Tool is not working on your computer right now.' No matter in which cases, one thing is for sure: rebooting didn't solve the problem.

So, what happened to the Snipping Tool and how to fix The Snipping Tool not working issue?

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# Why the Snipping Tool is Not Working

With Snipping Tool, you can snip any area/object on your screen by drawing a circle or a triangle around the object you want to capture. But why the Snipping Tool stop working?

There may be three reasons:

• Your default save path has been changed so the Snipping Tool can't save the screenshot properly.
• If you get a message stating that 'Snipping tool is not working properly', there may be another software having conflicts with the Snipping Tool.
• The Snipping tool may not work properly when some related system files are damaged.

# How to Fix 'the Snipping Tool is not working' Issue

Run 'sfc /scannow' Command

The first thing you can try is to fix Snipping Tool with 'sfc /scannow' command.

• Press Windows logo+'R' on the keyboard together, type 'cmd', then tap 'Enter';
• Type 'sfc /scannow' in the command line, press 'Enter';
• Type 'snippingtool.exe' to check whether the tool is fixed, press 'Enter'. If the tool launched successfully, make a shortcut to verify it.

Warning: Some websites may advice you to change the data in the Registry Editor, but it have to be emphasized that it can be dangerous to change the data of Registry. If you are not familiar with it, think twice and ask an expert for help.

Snipping Tool Not Working Windows 7

Relaunch the Snipping Tool

If the Snipping Tool doesn't work properly, for example, Snipping Tool shortcut, eraser, or pen not working, you may kill the Snipping Tool and restart it.

Snipping Tool Not Working Fix

• Press 'Ctrl+Alt+Delete' on the keyboard together to show the Task Manager.
• Find and kill the the SnippingTool.exe, then relaunch it for a try.

Find out the Conflicting Software

Snipping Tool Not Working In Win 10

You may try to find if there is any software on your computer conflicting with Snipping Tool.

Snipping Tool Not Working Windows 7

• Press Windows logo and 'R' on the keyboard together, type 'msconfig', then press 'Enter';
• In the System configuration window, click on 'service', mark 'Hide all Microsoft services' below the window, then stop the suspected services, especially relates to the newly-installed software.

Third-party Snapshot Tool for Windows

Though the Snipping Tool is light weight and simple, you may think it too simple to meet your need. Now that it's not working properly, how about trying another screenshot tool?

FonePaw Screen Recorder(opens new window) is highly recommended, as it can be a more powerful snapshot tool for Windows however as easy to use as Snipping Tool. You can use hotkeys to capture your screen easily, annotate the picture as you like and export the screenshot files to multiple formats, including PNG, JPG, GIF, etc. Download it and have a try!

Step One: Open FonePaw Screen Recorder.

Step Two: Click the third button with a camera icon on the panel, then drag your mouse to select the area to take a screenshot; otherwise it will capture full screen.

Step Three: Click the screenshot button to take a snapshot. In the snapshot window, you'll find the annotation tools to add line, circle, texts, etc. to the screenshot. And you can choose to save the screenshot or pin the screenshot on computer.

You can easily find all the screenshot files by clicking the media manager, the button at the top-right corner. Then you can share the pictures to your friends or to social media like YouTube or Facebook.

You can also go to Preference and set up hotkeys to take screenshots with FonePaw Screen Recorder.

FonePaw Screen Recorder is also a powerful screen recorder. It can easily record screen activities and webcam video with high quality. Know more details in Screen Recorder: The Top Screen Recording and Capture Program (opens new window)and feel free to have a try!

All the above is the four ways to fix 'the Snipping Tool is not working' issue. If you find this passage help, give us a like!