Screenshot on Mac not working? Try these fixes

So you've encountered the screenshot not working on Mac issue? Don't stress; you're not the only one.

The screenshot feature is a versatile and indispensable tool for many users, so when it stops working correctly, you'll need a quick fix — that's where we come in.

We've got great tips a little further down that'll get the screenshot function back up and running; let's start with the basics.

Why can't I screenshot on my Mac?

Unfortunately, there isn't one definitive reason users encounter the screenshot not working on Mac issue. It's just one of those things — system glitches and bugs, corrupt applications, and low storage space could all play a factor. It may be hard to identify why it happens, but luckily, it's easy to fix. 

How to take a screenshot

For those who need a quick reminder or those new to the world of MacBooks and Apple, here are three easy ways to take screenshots using keyboard shortcuts:

• To take a full-screen screenshot, press Command - Shift - 3.

• To make a screen selection screenshot, press Command - Shift - 4.

• To screenshot a specific window or menu, hover your cursor over it and press Command - Shift - 4 - Spacebar.

Screenshots, by default, are saved to your Desktop. Here's how to adjust the location:

1. Press Shift - Command - 5 to open the screen capture panel.

2. Click Options and select your desired location under Save To.

We suggest checking it before trying to fix anything — it may be that the Screenshot utility is working perfectly well, but the screenshots are simply sent to another location, not the one you are expecting to find them in. Sometimes, they may go to Clipboard so that you can only paste them further instead of finding them in a specific folder. 

Still not working? Let's dive into the fixes.

Tip: If it is screen selection screenshot that is not working, it may be that you have an issue with touchpad and cannot select the portion of the screen to capture. If that is your case, check out this article on how to fix trackpad not working on Mac.

Screenshot on Mac not working fixes

Before we get into the main troubleshooting tips, make sure you take a moment to restart your device from the main Apple menu. This could solve your issue completely and save you some serious time.

If you do not want to restart your Mac, quit and reopen the Screenshot utility. Just open Activity Monitor and type Screenshot in the search bar. Then, select it, click X in the toolbar, and hit Quit.

Now, try making a screenshot once again. If it's still not screenshotting, work your way through the tips below.

1. Check your shortcut settings

The top of today's list is to check your shortcut settings. These may have been altered if you share your device with multiple users; here's how to check:

1. From the main Apple menu, select System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots.
2. Make sure all the options in the list are checked.

From here, you can also change the shortcuts or click Restore Defaults to revert any changes. If the newly created shortcuts conflict with those created for other apps, restoring defaults will fix it. Now test the screenshot function to see if this fix worked. Head to the next one if you're still having problems.

2. Check for system updates

If your Mac isn't utilizing the latest macOS version, you might encounter glitches, like Mac screenshots not working. It's easy to check for updates and install them, so it's worth keeping on top of this simple task. Here's how:

1. Select System Settings from the main Apple menu.
2. Go to General > Software Updates.
3. Here you'll see if any updates are available for your device.
4. Follow the instructions to install it.

3. Check your storage space

Screenshots might seem innocent, but if you let them build up, they'll eat away your available storage space, especially if you use the screen record function. If your device starts running low on space, you'll encounter all kinds of performance issues and application bugs. Here's how to check how much free storage your Mac has:

1. Select the main Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage.

2. Wait for the screen to load and view the breakdown of your Mac's storage.

If your Mac is bogged down with applications, files, and folders, it's time for a clean-up; freeing up space will help your Mac run smoothly.

A great way to clean up your MacBook and rid yourself of unnecessary files and screenshots is with a dedicated cleaner tool, like our personal favorite — CleanMyMac. Its My Clutter feature is perfect for sorting through built-up clutter. It quickly performs a deep system scan and pulls together large & old files, duplicates, similar images, and more. It's a great way to locate forgotten files that take up valuable space on your Mac.

Here's how to declutter your Mac the easy way:

1. Open the application (start your free trial here).
2. Select My Clutter from the sidebar.
3. Click Scan.
4. Review your files, select items you no longer need, and finally, click Remove.

4. Reset your NVRAM

Resetting your NVRAM, or non-volatile random-access memory, is well known for solving many issues on a MacBook, just like the one in this article. Here's how to reset NVRAM on an Intel-based Mac:

1. Shut your Mac down and turn it back on while pressing the following keys:
   
   Option - Command - P - R. 

2. After 20 seconds, release the keys.

On Apple silicon devices, it's not officially possible to reset your NVRAM anymore; however, many users report that simply turning their devices off and waiting for 30 seconds to turn them back on achieves a sort of NVRAM reset — worth a go.

Tip: Another screen-related Mac issue is screen sharing not working. If you've ever encountered it, check out these top fixes that should help you with this glitch.

5. Move the screenshot .plist file

Another reason screenshot is not working is a corrupted screenshot preferences file. Find it and move it to the Desktop to force macOS to generate the new file. Here's how: 

1. Open a new Finder window and press Shift + Command + G. 
2. In the window that pops up, paste this path followed by Return: ~/Library/Preferences/ 
3. Find this file com.apple.ImageCaptureApp.plist (alternatively, it may be named com.apple.imagecapture) and move it to the Desktop.

Now, restart your MacBook and try to take a screenshot once again. If it works, remove the file from the Desktop. If not, send it back to ~/Library/Preferences/ and jump to the next fixes.

Important: Moving the .plist file around will not delete the screenshots you've already taken.

6. Check for malware 

If you're still wondering how to enable screenshots on a Mac after trying the above tips, it's time to consider something more sinister is at play.

Malware continues to get increasingly sophisticated, so strange system glitches could be a big indicator that your Mac is suffering from an attack.

It's time to run your antivirus software and check. If you rely solely on Apple's built-in XProtect, antivirus technology to keep your device safe, here's a friendly reminder that it simply won't do! 

Apple is great, but let's face it, they're not security experts; when it comes to keeping your Mac protected and your private and personal data safe, it's an investment that can't be ignored.

Do your research and invest in an application that meets your needs. The tool we mentioned in tip 3 — CleanMyMac — has a great Protection feature that performs powerful system scans and offers real-time protection against attacks.

Looking for further insights on antivirus software? Check out this helpful article called top trusted antivirus for macOS.

Bonus tips

If none of the above worked, there are a few more tips you can try: 

• Boot into safe mode to rule out a third-party app or background extension conflict with the Screenshot utility. If it works in safe mode, disable all items in System Settings > General > Login Items and Extensions. Then, enable them one by one until you find the culprit. When you do, update the related app or disable the logi item when you need to use the Screenshot utility. If it is a third-party app that is interfering with the Screenshot utility, either quit the app when you take screenshots or uninstall it altogether.
• Check Dropbox settings to ensure that it is not hijacking screenshot save location. Open Dropbox > click your profile > Preferences (or Backups) > find 'Share screenshots using Dropbox' and toggle it off. Now, set your preferred Save to location in the Screenshot utility options. 
• Use Preview or a third-party app instead of the Screenshot utility. If you want to use Preview, open it and then click File in the menu bar, select Take Screenshot, and choose From Selection, From Window, or From Entire Screen. The screenshot will load in Preview, and you can save it to your preferred location. If you want to use a third-party app, try such tools as CleanShot X, Xnapper, or Capto.

How to restore a deleted screenshot? First off, check the Trash. If ti still there, right-click it and choose Put Back. If not, you might need to use a backup to restore it. Do not have one? You'll need a third-party recovery app like Disk Drill. 

Well, we've come to the end of this article. The screenshot tool is undoubtedly a core feature, so it is understandable why users get frustrated when it stops functioning, but hopefully, thanks to these easy-to-follow tips, you should no longer be asking why won't my Mac take a screenshot.