How to fix the error that you cannot take pictures of the computer screen

Most  computer users  are too familiar with screen capture manipulation. However, sometimes the commonly used methods can not be applied, to fix the error that cannot capture the computer screen, the laptop, please refer to the following article.

1. Reboot the computer

Restarting your computer is a simple operation but fixes a lot of errors, including not being able to take screenshots.

2. Clean the keyboard again

Try cleaning your computer keyboard again to avoid screen capture due to keyboard dust and dirt. The main reason is that dust can get on the keys, especially the Screen Capture key. This causes a screen capture error.

3. Use the key combination instead of the Screenshot button

Various key combinations can be used to check if the Screenshot button is damaged or not. Specifically, Fn + Screenshot button, Alt + Screenshot button, F + Screenshot button.

Screen capture button is the prt sc syrq key on the computer keyboard.

Then go to Word, Google Docs, Paint . press Ctrl + V to see if the picture can be taken. If that still doesn't work, continue to see the ways below.

4. Try with a different keyboard

Try using a different keyboard to check if your computer can take pictures. If possible, the old keyboard would be damaged. If it is a laptop, you should bring it to the service or repair center for advice. If it is a  desktop computer  , replace the keyboard with a new one.

However, sometimes the error can not capture the computer screen can also be due to other reasons, see more sections below.

5. Turn off any software or programs that are running

Error of not capturing computer screen image because the capture key is being used as a shortcut for a certain software or program that is open on the computer. So please turn off all running applications, then try pressing the screenshot button to check if the error has been fixed.

6. Update keyboard driver

If the keyboard driver is damaged or corrupted, hardware devices may not function properly. Typically there is an error that cannot capture the screenshot. Please update the keyboard driver as follows:

Step 1: Press the key combination Window + R to open the Run window> Type the command "devmgmt.msc." > Click OK to open Device Manager.

Step 2: Select Keyboard> Right-click on PC / AT Enhanced PS / 2 Keyboard (101/102 Key)> Select Update driver.

7. Use the Hardware Troubleshooter

Hardware Troubleshooter on  Windows 10  supports hardware troubleshooting that checks for errors in external devices like keyboards.

Step 1: Click the Start button> Select Settings.

Step 2: In Settings's search bar, type and select Find and fix keyboard problems.

Step 3: Tick select Apply repairs automatically> Click Next.

Step 4: Wait for the process of finding and suggest solutions to fix the error if any.

8. Use the Registry

Registry is also a way to help you fix the error of not capturing the computer screen effectively.

Step 1: Click the Start button> Search and open Registry Editor.

Step 2: Open the file under the structure HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer.

Step 3: Find the ScreenshotIndex file, if not, right-click in the empty space, choose New> Select DWORD (32-bit)> Name the file ScreenshotIndex (If the file already exists, skip this step).

Step 4: Double-click to open the file, enter 4 in the Value data box.

Step 5: Open the file under the structure HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer User Shell Folders.

Step 6: Find and open the file {B7BEDE81-DF94-4682-A7D8-57A52620B86F}. If not, right-click on an empty space, choose New> Select String Value.

Operation to create new file {B7BEDE81-DF94-4682-A7D8-57A52620B86F}

Step 7: Adjust Value data to "% USERPROFILE% PicturesScreenshots".

Adjust Value data appropriately

If the above still doesn't work, try replacing 4 with 695 in step 4.

9. Use screen capture software

There are many applications that support computer screen capture. For example, the software is available on the machine such as Snipping (  provided by Microsoft ) or download the Lightshot application to the device.

Lightshot download link:

1. Download Windows version.
2. Download the version for macOS

Quick instructions on how to use Lightshot on the computer:

Press the PrtSc SysRq key on the keyboard> Hold and drag the mouse on the area of ​​the image you want to capture> Click Save to save the image.

9 ways to fix the error of not capturing the computer screen in the above article will probably be a solution to help you use the computer more easily. Hopefully this article will be useful for you. Good luck!

Lesley Montoya

Update 06 May 2021