Learn how to get more from Snipping Tool.

Quick answer: Snipping Tool not working?

End the Snipping Tool process in Task Manager, enable Snipping Tool notifications, check Print Screen and third-party hotkey conflicts, then use Settings → Apps → Snipping Tool → Advanced options → Repair. Still broken? Reset, uninstall, and reinstall version 2022.2504.39.0 from the download page.

Win+Shift+S does nothing

Often the capture engine is fine, but notifications, Focus, Print Screen remapping, or another snipping app stole the chord.

1. End the stuck process — Open Task Manager, end Snipping Tool if it is listed, then try the shortcut again.
2. Allow notifications — Settings → System → Notifications. Enable Snipping Tool. Focus / Do not disturb can hide the editor toast after a snip.
3. Check Print Screen mapping — In Snipping Tool settings, confirm whether Print Screen opens the snipping bar. Disable conflicting hotkeys in Greenshot, ShareX, or GPU overlays.
4. Disable autosave temporarily — If captures vanish without an editor, turn off automatic save so the toast can open the markup window.

Repair or reset the app

Use this when the app opens poorly, crashes, or fails after a Windows update. Prefer Repair before Reset so you keep local app data.

1. Settings → Apps → Installed apps — Find Snipping Tool → Advanced options.
2. Choose Repair — Then test Win+Shift+S.
3. Reset if needed — Clears app data. Still broken? Uninstall, then reinstall from the download page once the package URL is set, or via Store product 9MZ95KL8MR0L.
4. Optional system check — Run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt, reboot, and test capture again.

Error 0x803F8001 or “not available in your account”

Users report Snipping Tool suddenly refusing to launch with Store licensing error 0x803F8001. Community fixes that worked repeatedly:

1. Uninstall Snipping Tool — Start → app settings for Snipping Tool → Uninstall.
2. Reinstall a clean package — Install again from the Store entry or from the download buttons on this site once URLs are attached.
3. Confirm Store sign-in — Store installation terms allow up to ten Windows devices on a Microsoft account. Work or school policies can remove Store apps entirely.

Screen recording has no microphone audio

Store release notes allow computer audio or your own mic. The Store also lists microphone under permissions.

1. Privacy settings — Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone → allow desktop apps / Snipping Tool.
2. Toolbar mic — In the recording toolbar, enable the microphone control before you press Start.
3. Input device — Confirm Windows is using the correct input device, then retest with a short clip.

Antivirus warnings explained

Capture tools hook the desktop. Softonic reports a Clean VirusTotal-based scan for its Trusted listing, yet local agents can still quarantine a freshly repaired MSIX.

1. Read the publisher — Microsoft Corporation is expected for Snipping Tool.
2. Ignore random folders — Do not restore unknown “Snipping Tool” executables from random folders.
3. Test & exception — If a third-party suite blocks Win+Shift+S, temporarily test with it paused, then add a policy exception for the signed Microsoft package.
4. Managed PCs — Ask IT whether screen capture protection blocks remote content by design.

Trust & security → · Download notes →

Best practices

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