How to Fix Windows Shift S Not Working in Windows 10/11

The Windows keyboard shortcut to capture part or all of your screen and snap to the Clipboard is Win + Shift + S. It’s a handy shortcut for taking screenshots quickly as opposed to needing to use an app like the Snipping tool.

It’s not uncommon for complications to arise with the Win + Shift + S shortcut, especially when in conflict with the Snipping Tool, Snip and Sketch Tool, or OneNote. This could lead to an error claiming that Windows + Shift + S is no longer responding.

So what exactly can you do if you happen to receive this error? We’ve discovered at least six ways to get your Windows + Shift + S shortcut working again.

Method 1. Clean Your Keyboard Keys

It’s always best to begin with the physical layer when attempting a fix. The problem could result from the keys Win + Shift + S being stuck. To eliminate dust and grime from around and beneath your keys (mechanical keyboards) and alleviate the issue.

Method 2. Clipboard History May Need To Be Enabled

Ensure that Clipboard History has been toggled on from your Windows Settings.

In Windows 11:

1. Launch the Settings app and select System.
2. Scroll down the page until you find Clipboard and click it.
3. Turn the Clipboard history switch to ON.

In Windows 10:

1. Navigate to Settings from the Start Menu.
2. Select System.
3. In the left pane, select Clipboard.
4. In the main panel, toggle the Clipboard history switch to ON.

Method 3. Enable Snip & Sketch/Snipping Tool

There’s the possibility that your Snip and Sketch Tool is currently toggled off, resulting in an error when using Win + Shift + S. You can rectify this by enabling it in Windows 10 and 11.

In Windows 11:

1. Launch the Settings app and select System.
2. Click Notifications on the right side of the page.
3. Locate “Notifications from apps and other senders” and toggle the Snipping Tool to ON.

In Windows 10:

1. Open Settings from the Start Menu.
2. Select the System tile.
3. Navigate to Notifications & actions in the right panel.
4. You may not find Snip & Sketch on the main panel. If this is accurate, click Edit your quick actions.
5. In the left side panel of your main Window, look for the Screen snip tile.
6. If you cannot locate the Screen snip, click the + Add button and add it.

Method 4. Reset Snip & Sketch/Snipping Tool

If the above method did not fix the problem, Snip & Sketch/Snipping Tool might need to be reset.

In Windows 11:

1. Launch the Settings app and select Apps.
2. Click Apps & Features.
3. From the available apps, locate and highlight the Snipping Tool.
4. Click the vertical trio of dots next to it and choose Advanced Options.
5. Scroll down and select Reset.

In Windows 10:

1. Open Settings from the Start Menu.
2. Select Apps.
3. Below Apps & features, locate Snip & Sketch. You can also type it into the “search this list” box to find it quickly.
4. Click the app and then select Advanced options.
5. Scroll down the Window and click on the Reset button.

Method 5. Use PrntScrn As An Alternative

If the keys themselves are the issue, or nothing above has yet worked to fix your Win + Shift + S problem, there is an alternative. Instead of a trio of keys, you can opt to use the PrntScrn key instead.

In Windows 10:

1. Navigate back into Settings.
2. Select Ease of Access.
3. In the left side pane, within the Interaction section, select Keyboard.
4. Scroll down the main panel to the Print Screen shortcut.
5. Toggle the “Use the PrtScn button to open screen snipping” to ON.

You may need to restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Method 6. Troubleshoot in Clean Boot State

If nothing has resolved the error after all the above methods, it may be a third-party process interfering with its functioning. For this, we’ll need to perform a Clean Boot to troubleshoot the problem and identify the offending process.

It’s best to save this method as a last resort as the process of discovering the offending process can be a lengthy one.

To perform a Clean Boot:

1. Open search and type in msconfig.
2. Select System Configuration App from the results.
3. Navigate to the General tab and select Selective Startup.
4. Uncheck “Load startup items” and check both “Load system services” and “Use original boot configuration.”
5. Next, navigate to the Services tab and place a check in “Hide all Microsoft services.” Then click Disable all.
6. Click OK.

Check to see if the Clean Boot has resolved the error with Win + Shift + S. If the error has been resolved; you can begin trial and error to locate the offending process. You’ll need to enable one server after another, each with a clean boot state until the problem resurfaces. The last process enabled is the culprit.

To configure Windows to use the normal startup state again, undo all of the above method’s changes.

FAQs

Why is Windows + Shift + S not working?

This can occur if there is a conflict between the Snipping Tool, Snip and Sketch Tool, and the OneNote keyboard shortcuts. The complication can also arise from a third-party process interfering with its functioning.

How do I fix keyboard shortcuts on Windows 11/10?

The first step is to clean your keyboard as dust and grime accumulate over time, rendering some keys inoperable. If your keys are kept clean, you can always attempt to use the keyboard on a separate computer before diving into your PC’s settings.

Another problem could be outdated or corrupted keyboard drivers. For a fix, you can update or reinstall your keyboard drivers.

What Does A Clean Boot do?

A clean boot will enable your computer to start with a pre-selected set of drivers and startup programs. This allows you to re-enable each process individually to discover where the problem may originate. In doing so, other processes may once again run smoothly.

The above methods will aid you in discovering and relieving you of the error that Win + Shift + S can sometimes bring about. Thankfully, even if the keyboard shortcut Win + Shift + S isn’t working properly, there is an alternative by using the PrntScrn key. Regardless, you should now feel confident in your ability to tackle this error head on.