The Snipping Tool is a Microsoft staple. Originally released on Windows XP, when it was known as the Clipping Tool, it has since been merged into a new tool called the Snip & Sketch tool.
But like many tools and features, it’s had its fair share of issues in Windows 11.
If you’re having issues with the Snipping Tool not working in Windows 11, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are a number of different things you can do to fix it.
Update Windows
One possible reason your Snipping Tool has stopped working is because of an expired digital certificate. The certificate in question expired October 31, 2021, and it caused, among other things, the Snipping Tool to stop working. Microsoft fixed this with update KB5008295, so you should update your PC to make sure you have that update.
Start by opening the Settings app from the Start menu, and then navigating to the Windows Update tab.
Now, click on the Check for updates button, and install any pending updates if you have any.
You can also download the update manually from Microsoft’s Update Catalog.
Turn on Background Apps Permissions for the Snipping Tool
If you’ve already received the KB5008295 update and the Snipping Tool still isn’t working, then you should check the Snipping Tool’s permissions. Typically, it should have the proper permissions, but you may need to manually change it if a buggy update causes issues.
To change the background permissions, go to the Settings app and click on the Apps tab. Next, click on Apps & features, and find the Snipping Tool. Then click the three dots and click on Advanced options.
Under Background apps permissions, make sure it is set to Always or Power optimized.
Reset or Repair the Snipping Tool
If you’re still having issues with the Snipping Tool, you may need to reset or repair the Snipping Tool. To do so, you’ll need to open up the Settings app, go to Apps & Settings, and find the Snipping Tool. Click on the three dots, and then select Advanced options.
Under the Reset heading, you’ll find the Repair and Reset buttons. First, try clicking on the Repair button and see if it helps. If not, then click the Reset button.
Reinstall the Snipping Tool
If repairing and resetting the Snipping Tool doesn’t work, you might try reinstalling it. To do so, type in Add or remove programs in the Start menu and click on the top result.
Next, scroll down until you find the Snipping Tool. Click on the three dots in the corner, and click on Uninstall.
Finally, find the Snip & Sketch tool on the Microsoft Store, and install it.
Perform a Clean Boot
Another thing you can try if the Snipping Tool isn’t working, is to do a clean boot. This can rule out any possible conflicts from third-party software and services. To start, open a Run box by pressing the Windows key + R, and type in msconfig, then press Enter.
Go to the Services tab at the top of the System Configuration window. Check the box next to Hide all Microsoft services, and then click the Disable all button. Then click the Apply button.
Next, go to the Startup tab and click on the Open Task Manager link. On the Task Manager, go to the Startup tab. If you don’t see it, then click on the arrow next to More details.
Now highlight all third-party programs, and click the Disable button for each one of them. Then close the Task Manager, click OK on the System Configuration window, and restart your PC.
Turn Off Focus Assist
If you’re still having trouble with the Snipping Tool, you can try turning off Focus Assist, as it may be interfering with the Snipping Tool.
First, open up the Settings app. Then look for Focus Assist and click on it.
Now, select either Off, or Priority only, then click on customize priority list in the Focus Assist settings.
Under Apps, click on Add an app. Look for the Snipping Tool on the list, and select it if it’s there. If not, it may already be on the priority list.
Fix the Snipping Tool With Regedit
If none of the other suggested solutions work to fix the Snipping Tool, then you may need to get your hands dirty in the Registry Editor.
First, open up the Run box, type in regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Now copy and paste the following path into the address bar in the Registry Editor and hit Enter:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
Locate the TabletPC key under the Microsoft key. If it doesn’t exist, right-click the Microsoft key and mouse over New, then click Key and name it TabletPC. Then left-click the TabletPC key.
Under the Default key, right-click and mouse over New. Then select DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it DisableSnippingTool.
Now double-click the newly generated DisableSnippingTool key. In the Value Data box, set it to 0, and make sure to select the Hexadecimal option in the Base box. Now press OK and close the registry editor. Restart your PC and you should now be able to open the Snipping Tool with no issue.
