Win+Shift+S Shortcut and Snipping Tool Not Working After Windows Update

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm facing a challenging issue where my Win+Shift+S screenshot shortcut and the Snipping Tool/Snip & Sketch have completely stopped working following a recent Windows update. Despite extensive troubleshooting, the problem persists, and I'm hoping someone here might have insight or solutions I haven't tried.

Problem Description:

• The Win+Shift+S shortcut ceased to function unexpectedly after a Windows update.
• Neither Snipping Tool nor Snip & Sketch launches using the shortcut or even when opened manually.
• Upon system restart and initial attempt to use the shortcut, the mouse cursor momentarily changes to an hourglass, indicating the system recognizes the command, but the application fails to launch. This occurs only once per restart.

Troubleshooting Steps Attempted:

1. Basic Checks:

• Verified keyboard functionality, including the specific keys (Windows, Shift, S).
• Utilized the virtual on-screen keyboard, indicating the issue isn't hardware-related.
• Checked and adjusted Clipboard History settings.
• Updated Snip & Sketch/Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store.

2. System Diagnostics:

• Ran System File Checker (SFC) with sfc /scannow - no integrity violations found.
• Executed DISM commands (/CheckHealth, /ScanHealth, /RestoreHealth) - no component store corruption detected.

3. Advanced Troubleshooting:

• Tested across different user accounts - issue persists.
• Uninstalled and reinstalled both Snip & Sketch and the Snipping Tool.
• Attempted to reinstall the Snipping Tool via PowerShell (get-appxpackage *Microsoft.ScreenSketch* | remove-appxpackage).
• Installed all available optional updates.

Additional Steps Based on Community Suggestions:

1. Group Policy and Registry Checks:

• Verified Group Policy settings for Snipping Tool were not configured to disable it.
• Checked the registry for any entries that might disable the Snipping Tool - none found.

2. WMI and Services Diagnostic:

• Investigated Windows Event Viewer and found several warnings and errors related to service failures, including WMI issues.

3. Attempted WMI Repository Repair:

• Attempted to stop the WMI service to rename the repository for rebuilding, taking note of dependent services that would be affected (e.g., Intel(R) services, IP Helper).

Despite these efforts, the issue remains unresolved. I have not yet attempted to roll back the recent Windows update or perform a system restore due to the absence of a suitable restore point. Reinstalling Windows is a last resort I hope to avoid.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue or have any additional suggestions I could try? Your assistance and insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

Answer 1

I got this problem today. On my keyboard the Win key comes along with a lock sign so I just press Fn+Win to unlock it then the shortcut works again.

You can check the Win key by press it. If nothing happens then it is the problem.

Answer 2

Hi there : Have you tried the shorcut in both _ Sides of your Keyboard

Make sure you, press down the : Start-Windows key + Shift + S

                vertically as much as possible. Do it again and post results

       ***Wait,.!  : Check this out,.!***  Why is my Windows Shift S shortcut not working,.?

if the Windows or the drivers on the PC are outdated - Then they might lock the keys

stopping them functioning. it happens specially when, you are trying to Press the one

or more keys simultaneously : Like we are discussing (Win+Shift+S) in such

a case you should ensure that, your PC has the updated driver

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

              Why is the snip shortcut key not working

check the Keyboard. if the Snipping Tool shortcut doesn't work, you should 

check if the Windows key, the Shift key and the S key can work normally.

if these keys are damaged, you may need to repair or replace the keyboard..

Answer 3

As I said, I even tried the virtual keyboard to make sure the problem wasn't on my hardware. My keys are working fine, and other shortcuts do work fine. For now, I solved the issue by installing a 3rd party app called Greenshot.

Answer 4

Quote "" I solved the issue by installing a 3rd party app called Greenshot ""

Great news @ Victor Noya1 : No doubt, you're a computer geek

--Judging for the professional - Problem description and troubleshoots

applied. I knew you, could solved the issue by yourself. Reporting

the fix would help others, with the same problem : Bye now

Answer 5

March 24, 2024 - Something is broken in Snip & Sketch. Windows 10 and Windows 11.

I have an older computer with Windows 10. It has Snip & Sketch and the older Snipping Tool.

I have a newer computer with Windows 11. It has Snip & Sketch only.

Today (March 24, 2024) on BOTH computers, I was able to use Snip & Sketch One Time. After that, I can do Windows key - Shift - S to bring up the little toolbox, then use the mouse or trackpad to draw a rectangle, but then Nothing.

I am doing my project on the older computer with Snipping Tool which is working OK.