Are you trying to capture something on your Mac screen only to find out that the screenshot function is not working well? You are not alone. There are times when you might encounter issues when taking a screenshot on your Mac. But the good thing here is that there are various solutions you can use to fix the issue. In this post, we will offer various reasons why the screenshot function is not working. After that, we will teach you how to solve the problem. We will even offer another alternative method to capture your screen smoothly. Thus, read this post and learn how to fix the screenshot on the Mac not working issue.
Part 1. Why is My Screenshot Not Working on Mac
Wondering why the screenshot is not working on Mac? Well, there are various reasons behind that. You can check all the details below and learn why the screenshot function is not working well.
Keyboard-Related Issues
• Wrong keyboard mode. Sometimes, you are using the wrong key or command when taking a screenshot.
• If the Sticky key or slow keys are enabled, it may interfere with the screen-capturing process.
• If the key is broken or not functioning well, taking a screenshot is an impossible task.
• If you are using a non-Apple keyboard, taking a screenshot might not work.
Permissions and Security
• Some Mac models require you to ask permission for an effective screen-capturing process.
• If an organization manages your Mac, then there are some restrictions you might encounter, including the screenshot.
System Issue
• Having an insufficient space can lead to a screenshot capture error.
• A corrupted system cache can cause a screenshot error.
• If you are experiencing some bugs or glitches, you can't take a screenshot.
Part 2. How to Fix the Screenshot on Mac Not Working Problem
If you can't take a screenshot on your Mac, there is nothing to worry about. In this section, we are going to introduce various solutions you can use to fix the problem. See all the information below and learn how to solve the screenshot not working on Mac issues.
Solution 1. Check the Shortcut Settings
If the screenshot shortcut is not working on Mac, then maybe your shortcuts from Settings are altered. In that case, the best thing to do is to check your shortcut settings. With this method, you can even change the shortcut keys based on your preferences. You can even use the default keys for a better and simple screen-capturing process. If you want to check the shortcut settings, you can proceed to the System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots. Ensure that all of them are checked. Once done, you can try using the shortcuts to screenshot on a Mac.
Solution 2. Check for System Updates
Another solution you can use is to check your system. If you are using an outdated system on a Mac, then there are some compatibility issues you might encounter. With that, the best thing to do is to get the latest system version. This way, you can get some latest features and can even solve the screenshot error. Thus, to update your system, proceed to the System Settings > General > System Update section. Then, start the updating process. Once done, you can now try capturing your Mac screen by pressing the shortcut keys.
Solution 3. Check Your Storage Space
As we mentioned above, if you don't have enough storage space, then it is impossible to take a screenshot on your Mac. In that case, you can try checking your storage space. With that, you can get an idea about the space on your device. If you have confirmed that there are no more spaces, then you can't capture your screen. So, the best thing to do is to eliminate unnecessary files on your Mac to free some space. The more media files you delete, the more data you can capture. If you want to check your storage space, proceed to the System Settings and navigate to the General > Storage section.
Solution 4. Restart NVRAM
Resetting NVRAM can fix a non-working screenshot on a Mac. This process can clear corrupted low-level settings stored in the motherboard's firmware, such as those related to power management and display configuration. These glitches can prevent the screenshot utility from properly accessing the display's framebuffer. With that, by resetting NVRAM, you can restore the default hardware settings. It can ensure that the system correctly recognizes the display and input states, which often resolves intermittent screenshot failures that standard software troubleshooting can't fix. To restart NVRAM, all you have to do is:
Step 1Shut down your Mac and turn it on. After that, press the Command + Option + P + R keys for 10 to 20 seconds.
Step 2Hold the keys until you hear the Mac start-up sound. Then, your Mac will restart.
Step 3Once done, you can try capturing your screen and see if the screenshot function already works.
Part 3. Alternative Way to Screenshot on Mac
Do you want a better way to take a screenshot on a Mac? If so, we recommend using AVAide Screen Recorder. This program's Screen Capture is perfect for capturing any content from your screen. What we like here is that you won't encounter any issues during the screen-capturing process. It can even give you a simple layout for a smooth procedure. You can even take a screenshot of any screen area and ensure that to get a satisfying image quality. Plus, in terms of its performance, it is stable, which is ideal for those users who want to capture the screen smoothly. Therefore, if you want an excellent screenshot tool, consider using AVAide Screen Recorder. You can follow/check the instructions below and start capturing your screen.
Step 1Tap the Download buttons below to access AVAide Screen Recorder. After that, launch it to start the screen-capturing process.
FREE DOWNLOAD For Windows 7 or later
FREE DOWNLOAD For Mac OS X 10.13 or later
Step 2From the right interface, click the drop-down buttons and hit the Screen Capture function. Then, start the capturing process.
Step 3You can now hit the Save function below to start saving the captured image on your Mac.
With this method, you can effectively capture your screen. The best part here is that there are more things you can do when using the software. You can screen record on Mac, record the audio, gameplay, and more, making it a powerful program.
To effectively solve the screenshot not working on Mac problems, you can use all the solutions we have provided in this article. In addition to that, if you prefer using another screenshot tool for a smoother screen-capturing method, we suggest using AVAide Screen Recorder. This software is ideal since it can give you a better result. You can even access all the functions you need easily, making this screenshot tool reliable.
Record screen, audio, webcam, gameplay, online meetings, as well as iPhone/Android screen on your computer.