How to Issues & Fixes

Snipping Tool Black Screen – Fix Black Screenshot

Snipping Tool Black Screen

The PrintScrn key on the keyboard can actually capture whatever is on your screen and then copy it to the clipboard on Windows. You guys then have to save the image via pasting it inside an image editor such as Paint. Windows 10 is the first Windows version in order to have a smarter, easier-to-use screenshot tool as well. You can also click on the Win+PrintScrn keyboard shortcut and a screenshot is captured and then saved to a Screenshots folder in the Picture library. In this article, we are going to talk about Snipping Tool Black Screen – Fix Black Screenshot. Let’s begin!

The screenshot tool is basic, however, it works. If you’re trying to capture screenshots on your system. However, they all appear black i.e., nothing is captured, here are also a few things that you can do in order to fix it.

Snipping Tool Black Screen – Fix Black Screenshot

Try the following to fix screenshots that appear black on Windows 10.

Third-party screenshot tools

The screenshot tool on Windows 10 is basic and also the Snipping tool is only slightly better. But, there are lots and lots of third-party screenshot tools that you guys can use instead of the native solutions. Try to use Greenshot or IrfanView.

Check for DRM protected content

Apps on Windows can actually mark themselves as such that they are actually excluded from the screenshot tool. Plus, apps such as Netflix avoid screenshots and screen recording all together in order to prevent piracy, among many other things.

  • First of all, you have to open Notepad and then use the Win+PrntScrn keyboard to capture it.
  • Now open your user folder, head to the Pictures>Screenshots folder.
  • Then check if Notepad was captured in a fullscreen screenshot.
  • If Notepad is being captured, however, a specific app is consistently appearing black in screenshots then it is highly likely that is blocking them too. You guys can still capture it via running the app in a Sandbox as well.

Update the display driver | Snipping Tool Black Screen

  • Press Windows Key + R in order to open Run.
  • Then type devmgmt.msc, and then tap on OK to open the Device Manager.
  • In the Device Manager, you have to expand the Display adapters section.
  • Right-tap on the Display Adapter installed on your PC (Intel or AMD) and then choose Update Driver
  • On the next screen, you have to choose Search automatically for the updated driver software.
  • Wait for Windows in order to look for a new driver update. If found, then download and install the updates.

Now restart the computer after the driver is updated. Open the snipping tool, and then check if the grey screen error still exists.

Many times Windows has difficulty installing the latest drivers available on the market and then downloading and updating them manually also can be really an arduous task.

Check for screenshot blockers

Apps can also block screenshotting not just for themselves, however, for other apps. An antivirus app might do something like this or a security app as well. If you guys suspect an app is blocking screenshots on your system, then you should exit or also uninstall it.

  • In order to uninstall an app that is blocking screenshots, just open the Control Panel.
  • Head to Programs>Uninstall a program.
  • Now choose the app that is blocking screenshots, and tap on Uninstall at the top.

Screenshot games

Some games block external screenshot tools, however, they often have their own built-in tools to capturing game-play. If you guys are trying to screenshot in a Steam game,then just follow the steps below.

  • First o all, just open Steam.
  • Head to Library and make sure the game that you’re playing appears there. Tap on Play.
  • When the game has loaded and you guys can play it, tap the F12 key in order to capture a screenshot.
  • You can also access the screenshot from inside the Steam folder. Now look for the following folder.
D:\Steam\userdata\UserID\760\remote\AppID\screenshots

Fix from Registry | Snipping Tool Black Screen

It is possible that a problem in the registry is avoiding screenshots from being captured.

  • Click on the Win+R keyboard shortcut in order to open the Run box.
  • In the Run box, just type ‘regedit’, and tap Enter.
  • In the registry editor, you have to navigate to the following key.
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers\DCI
  • Double-tap on TimeOut in the right pane and set its value to 0.
  • Right-tap on the taskbar and choose Task Manager.
  • Now head to the Processes tab and select Windows Explorer.
  • tap on click Restart at the bottom right.

You guys will now be able to take screenshots as well.

Diagnose in Safe boot mode

  • Click on Windows key + R in order to open Run.
  • Then type msconfig, and tap on OK to open the MS Configuration.
  • Now just open the Boot tab.
  • Under Boot Options, you need to check the Safe Boot box.
  • Tap Apply and OK in order to save the changes.
  • Restart the system whenever prompted through Windows.

Open Snipping Tool, and if the app opens without even the black screen. Then it means one of the third-party software, hardware, or driver is causing the issue along with the app.

In this case, start via removing any newly installed external hardware and then uninstall newly installed software. Check again until you guys find the conflicting software.

Conclusion

Alright, That was all Folks! I hope you guys like this article and also find it helpful to you. Give us your feedback on it. Also if you guys have further queries and issues related to this article. Then let us know in the comments section below. We will get back to you shortly.

Have a Great Day!

Also See: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2017 Live Streaming – 2nd Test

About the author

Windy Moore

Leave a Reply