Print screen function keys not working like before...

[mimi80]

Hi I'm new to this forum, and I'm not sure if I'm posting this thread in the correct spot. But, my problem is that my print screen function stopped working. I think I might have "disengaged" it by accident. Do PC's have a "cancel print screen" function? I usually use a Mac, so am naive to PC's...

It was working when I press Ctrl + Alt + Print Screen, before. Now, it doesn't work. I've also tried every other combination + Print Screen (like Ctrl + Shift + Print, Ctrl + Option + Print, Alt + Option... everything!)

I've even tried to switch key boards, but that didn't work either. The same key board would work on a different computer, so I feel that it's an internal problem, opposed to a hardware problem.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[EzyStvy]

Does Print Screen work by itself?

I use that and ALT + Print Screen.

[Nuclear Krusader]

You have to press the Scroll Lock (ScrLk) key. It's right next to the Print Screen key on most keyboards. Also, most keyboards have 3 LEDs that let you know whether CapsLock, NumLock and ScrollLock are enabled or disabled.

[EzyStvy]

The Scroll Lock (ScrLk) key doesn't have anything to do with Print Screen????

[Nuclear Krusader]

Would it hurt to try?

[mimi80]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the input.
Tried Scroll Lock key, but still doesn't work...

[pam123]

You don't say if you're using a laptop or a desktop but if you've inadvertently hit the F lock or Fn key you've disabled Print Screen until you hit it again in which case Print Screen should once again work for you.

[MegaEriable]

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.

Anyway, if you could not solve it, you would have to use this TRIAL program for Printing your screen manually.