t is really frustrating when simple functions on a computer don't work. 'Print Screen' is one of them. In this article I discuss simple ways of fixing the 'Print Screen Not Working' problem that crops up sometimes.
Many desktop or laptop computer users prefer to operate completely through the keyboard. Most do not need a mouse to operate as it is completely possible to carry out all functions using the keyboard. This is made possible by the various shortcut keys provided on the computer keyboard. There are some that function directly, like the letter keys.
Some functions are carried out by keyboard keys combination like 'Ctrl + Alt + Delete' (the most famous keyboard combination ever!), some are carried out by a devoted keyboard button like the 'Print Screen' key. By learning how to use print screen, you can easily take a screen shot of your desktop. This function is often helpful while recording errors on Windows and other operating systems. It can also be helpful when saving a webpage snapshot as a record.
I recently faced a problem of print screen command key not working properly. When I searched online, there was hardly any useful information presented, that could solve the problem. Finally, I had to gather bits and pieces from several computer forums to find an effective solution to 'print screen not working' on laptop. I decided to share these tips on solving the screen capture not working problem here. It bugs many people using a laptop which is Windows based.
Print Screen not Working - What to Do?
To get a screen shot, all you have to do is hit 'PrtScn' button and using 'Ctrl + V', you can paste that image in any image editor to save. Often the problem of print screen not working in Windows Vista or Windows 7 crops up when you want to copy the screen shots to paint or to Adobe Photoshop. I assume that you already know how to take a screenshot on a laptop or desktop computer. Here are some ways in which you can take care of the problem quite effectively. One of these fixes is bound to work for you.
Just Restart the Computer
Sometimes the 'print screen not working' problem is at a hardware level, where the keyboard entries are not mapping properly. Simply restarting your computer might restore the functionality of the computer.
Turn F Lock Off
Microsoft introduced the F Lock function to provide alternate application based tasks to the function keys (F1 - F12). It was later incorporated by keyboard manufacturers with a special key devoted to it. In case F lock is turned on, the print screen functionality may get disabled. Turning off the F lock key will restore functionality.
Press Fn Key
If you find keyboard print screen command not working on your laptop, you may need to use the 'Fn' key. In some laptops, you have to press the Fn key, along with the printscreen key to get the job done. The Fn key, in case you haven't noticed, is located between the control and Windows key at the bottom left corner of the key board. That should solve your problem.
Use Snipping Tool
If you find print screen not working in Windows 7 or Windows Vista, there is an alternative way that you can take. Use the 'Snipping Tool' utility. Go to All Programs > Accessories > Snipping Tool. Using this program which is a special tool developed by Microsoft, you can take screen shots of whole or part of the desktop. It lets you crop certain parts when taking a screen shot.
Download and Install Gadwin
If you are using Windows XP, then the snipping tool won't be available. If you are wondering how to take a screenshot in Windows XP, there is another way. Just download and install 'Gadwin', a freeware utility that can easily get screen shots for you. This is not really a fix of the print screen button not working problem, but an alternative that can save you time.
Hope, these tips on fixing the print screen not working in Windows XP or later versions of Windows were helpful. As I have suggested before, if the incompatibility problem persists, there are plenty of software program options that can do the job of taking screen shots for you.
Many desktop or laptop computer users prefer to operate completely through the keyboard. Most do not need a mouse to operate as it is completely possible to carry out all functions using the keyboard. This is made possible by the various shortcut keys provided on the computer keyboard. There are some that function directly, like the letter keys.
Some functions are carried out by keyboard keys combination like 'Ctrl + Alt + Delete' (the most famous keyboard combination ever!), some are carried out by a devoted keyboard button like the 'Print Screen' key. By learning how to use print screen, you can easily take a screen shot of your desktop. This function is often helpful while recording errors on Windows and other operating systems. It can also be helpful when saving a webpage snapshot as a record.
I recently faced a problem of print screen command key not working properly. When I searched online, there was hardly any useful information presented, that could solve the problem. Finally, I had to gather bits and pieces from several computer forums to find an effective solution to 'print screen not working' on laptop. I decided to share these tips on solving the screen capture not working problem here. It bugs many people using a laptop which is Windows based.
Print Screen not Working - What to Do?
To get a screen shot, all you have to do is hit 'PrtScn' button and using 'Ctrl + V', you can paste that image in any image editor to save. Often the problem of print screen not working in Windows Vista or Windows 7 crops up when you want to copy the screen shots to paint or to Adobe Photoshop. I assume that you already know how to take a screenshot on a laptop or desktop computer. Here are some ways in which you can take care of the problem quite effectively. One of these fixes is bound to work for you.
Just Restart the Computer
Sometimes the 'print screen not working' problem is at a hardware level, where the keyboard entries are not mapping properly. Simply restarting your computer might restore the functionality of the computer.
Turn F Lock Off
Microsoft introduced the F Lock function to provide alternate application based tasks to the function keys (F1 - F12). It was later incorporated by keyboard manufacturers with a special key devoted to it. In case F lock is turned on, the print screen functionality may get disabled. Turning off the F lock key will restore functionality.
Press Fn Key
If you find keyboard print screen command not working on your laptop, you may need to use the 'Fn' key. In some laptops, you have to press the Fn key, along with the printscreen key to get the job done. The Fn key, in case you haven't noticed, is located between the control and Windows key at the bottom left corner of the key board. That should solve your problem.
Use Snipping Tool
If you find print screen not working in Windows 7 or Windows Vista, there is an alternative way that you can take. Use the 'Snipping Tool' utility. Go to All Programs > Accessories > Snipping Tool. Using this program which is a special tool developed by Microsoft, you can take screen shots of whole or part of the desktop. It lets you crop certain parts when taking a screen shot.
Download and Install Gadwin
If you are using Windows XP, then the snipping tool won't be available. If you are wondering how to take a screenshot in Windows XP, there is another way. Just download and install 'Gadwin', a freeware utility that can easily get screen shots for you. This is not really a fix of the print screen button not working problem, but an alternative that can save you time.
Hope, these tips on fixing the print screen not working in Windows XP or later versions of Windows were helpful. As I have suggested before, if the incompatibility problem persists, there are plenty of software program options that can do the job of taking screen shots for you.
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