What you’re seeing
- Pressing Windows+Shift+S does nothing at all.
- The Snipping Tool shows "This app can't open" and closes.
- The capture toolbar appears, but the screenshot never saves or copies to the clipboard.
- The Print Screen key stops opening the screenshot tool after an update.
Common causes
Every environment is different, but these are the causes our engineers find most often:
- The Snipping Tool app package is corrupted or only partly updated through the Microsoft Store.
- An expired app certificate or a date and time mismatch prevents the app from launching.
- A third-party screenshot tool, such as Greenshot, Lightshot or OneDrive, has taken over the keyboard shortcut.
- Store apps are restricted by a business policy, blocking the Snipping Tool from opening.
- Notifications or clipboard features are turned off, so captures appear to vanish.
Why it matters
Screenshots are how many teams report problems, document processes, capture invoices and train new hires. When the tool fails, people resort to phone photos of their screens, which are blurry, harder to share and can expose sensitive information in the background. It also slows down support tickets, because a clear picture of an error is often the fastest route to a solution.
How AskTechGurus fixes it
Skip the trial and error. A certified engineer works on your actual system, finds the root cause, and fixes it properly.
Tell us what’s happening
Submit a ticket in about two minutes. Paste the error, describe what changed, and pick your tier. No charge to submit.
A certified engineer diagnoses it
A vetted, US-based systems engineer claims your ticket, usually within minutes during business hours, and investigates over a secure remote session you can watch and end at any time.
Fixed and verified with you
The engineer resolves the root cause and confirms with you that it’s working. You don’t just get a workaround, and you get a plain-English summary of what was wrong.
Pay only when it’s resolved
Fixed price from $99, invoiced only after you approve the fix. If it isn’t resolved, you don’t pay.
Frequently asked questions
Is there another way to take screenshots meanwhile?
Yes, the Print Screen key and other built-in tools often still work, though they may be less convenient than the Snipping Tool.
Why does it say the app can't open?
That message usually means the app package or its certificate is damaged or out of date, rather than anything wrong with your files.
Can the Snipping Tool be repaired remotely?
Yes. Our certified US engineers resolve this over a remote secure session, often in a single session, and you pay only when it's resolved.