How To Fix Windows Shift S Not Working In Windows 11

This is causing trouble for many Windows 11 users, and they are continuously looking for ways to fix the issue. Fortunately, this issue can be fixed with some troubleshooting methods. Here in this guide, we have mentioned some tried and tested solutions to help you overcome the Windows + Shift + S not working issue on your Windows 11 PC.

What Causes Windows + Shift + S Not Working in Windows 11

One of the most common reasons for this issue could be the defective keyboard keys. Besides, there could be more reasons behind the Windows + Shift + S not working issue.

Outdated Keyboard DriversImproper Functioning of File ExplorerIssues With Registry EditorFaulty USB PortsIssues With Keyboard or its KeysMisconfigured SettingsRestricted App PermissionDisabled Snip & SketchConflict Between the Snipping Tool and the Onenote Shortcut

Fix Windows + Shift + S Not Working in Windows 11

We have mentioned more than twelve tried and tested solutions in this section to help you resolve the issue.

1. Restart the PC

One of the most common solutions to mend this issue is to reboot the system. In most situations, rebooting the system resolves the issue immediately. You can try rebooting your Windows 11 PC to see if the issues have been resolved. 

2. Clean the Keyboard Keys

We suggest cleaning the keyboard to ensure all the keys are pressing and functioning correctly. Sometimes dust particles occupy the space beneath the keyboard keys and stop them from pressing properly. Hence, wiping the keyboard can resolve the issue. 

3. Check USB Ports

Possibly, some of your PC’s USB ports are malfunctioning and causing this issue. You need to ensure that all your USB ports are functioning correctly. To check this, you can try connecting your USB keyboard with another device and see if it’s working properly. If the keyboard works perfectly with other devices, there are surely some issues with your system’s USB ports. You can get them repaired to overcome this issue.

4. Modify System’s Date & Time

One of the most recommended solutions to resolve this issue is to change your system’s date and time settings. Interestingly, this solution is guided by one of Microsoft’s Independent advisors. Therefore, there are high chances that this solution will resolve the issue. You can follow the below-mentioned steps to modify your system’s date and time settings.

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Time & language from the left navigation pane. 
3. Click on Date & time to open the date and time settings.
4. Toggle off the Select time automatically and set time zone automatically option.
5. Click on Change to modify the time and date. 
6. On the next screen, select the random date and time and save the changes.
7. Try using the Windows + Shift + S key combination to check if the issue is fixed.

5. Update Keyboard Drivers

Outdated keyboard drivers could also be one of the culprits of this issue. Thus, you need to ensure that all your keyboard drivers are up-to-date, not leading to this issue. You can follow the mentioned steps to update your keyboard drivers from the Device Manager.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run program.
2. Type devmgmt.msc in the Search Box and hit Enter. 
3. Search Keyboards in the Device Manager. 
4. Double-click on Keyboards to view all the keyboard drivers installed on your system. 
5. Right-click on any keyboard driver and select Update driver from the list of options. 
6. Select Search automatically for drivers on How do you want to search for Windows screen. 
7. You need to wait until the system updates the driver and displays the final message. 
8. Follow the same with the rest of the keyboard drivers. 
9. Once everything is done, try using the Windows + Shift + S shortcut to see if the issue is resolved.

6. Turn on Notifications For Snipping Tool

When we press the Windows + Shift + S on our keyboard, a rectangle notification appears on the screen with some options to capture the snapshot. If you aren’t getting the notification, it is possible that you might have disabled the notification for the Snipping Tool. It’s pretty easy to enable the Snipping Tool’s notification, and the below-mentioned steps demonstrate the same. 

1. Open the Settings app on your system. 
2. Head to the Notifications tab. 
3. Search for the Snipping Tool in the Notifications from apps and other senders section. 
4. Ensure that the Snipping Tool toggle is turned on. 
5. Click on the Snipping Tool.
6. Select Top in the Priority of notifications in notification center section. 
7. Press Windows + Shift + S shortcut key to check whether you are able to take screenshots or not. 

7. Restart Windows Explorer

Some Windows features function with the help of Windows Explorer. Snipping Tool is one of the tools that use Windows Explorer to act properly. Many Windows 11 users reported that incorrect functioning of the Windows Explorer app could also be responsible for this issue. They also added that restarting Windows Explorer can resolve this issue. You can follow the below-mentioned steps to do the same. 

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc key combination. 
2. Search for Windows Explorer in the list of Processes. 
3. Right-click on Windows Explorer and click on Restart. 
4. Once done, Reboot the PC. 
5. Try using Windows + Shift + S to launch the Snipping Tool. 

8. Repair & Reset the Snipping Tool

Windows also allows you to repair and reset the system programs, like Snipping Tool. If restarting the Windows Explorer program doesn’t resolve the issue, you can then try repairing and resetting the Snipping Tool. Follow the below-mentioned steps to repair and reset the Snipping Tool.

Repair the Snipping Tool

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I. 
2. Head to the Apps section to view all installed applications. 
3. Search Snipping Tool in the Search Bar. 
4. Click on Three Dots and select Advanced options. 
5. Scroll down and click on Repair. 
6. System will now start repairing the Snipping Tool. You can see the program bar to know the progress of the scan. 

Reset the Snipping Tool

1. Search for the Snipping Tool in the Apps section. 
2. Look for the Reset option in the Reset section. 
3. Click on Reset and let the system clear every data associated with the Snipping Tool.
4. Press Windows + Shift + S to see if the Snipping Tool is now working properly or not. 

9. Enable Clipboard History

One of the causes of this issue could be the disabled Clipboard history feature. If the Clipboard history option is turned off on your system, you won’t be able to save copied images and texts in the clipboard. You can’t paste screenshots that you have copied with the help of the Snipping Tool. You need to enable the Clipboard History option following the below-mentioned steps. 

1. Click on the Search icon in the taskbar to open the Windows Search Bar. 
2. Type Clipboard settings in the Search Bar. 
3. Click on Clipboard settings in the Best match section. 
4. Once the Clipboard setting is opened, enable Clipboard history by clicking on the toggle. 
5. Again, press the Windows + Shift + S again to see whether the shortcut key is working.

10. Use Alternate Shortcut Keys to Take a Screenshot

Windows + Shift + S is the most used key combination to launch the Snipping Tool. Besides this, you can also use the Fn + PrtSc shortcut to open the Snipping Tool to capture snapshots.

11. Disable Global Shortcut Key

One of the solutions to eliminate this issue is to disable the Windows + Shift + S shortcut completely. Many Windows 11 users said this solution helped them solve the issue. You can try the same by following the below-mentioned steps. 

1. Open the Registry Editor app. 
2. Head to the mentioned location to disable the global screenshot shortcut: 
3. Right-click on an empty space and click on the New option. 
4. Select String Value from the menu. 
5. Name the new string: DisabledHotkeys
6. Double-click on DisabledHotkeys and enter S in the Value data field. 
7. In the end, click on OK. 
8. You need to now Restart the system to save all the changes permanently. 

12. Change the OneNote Hotkey with Regedit

Many users reported disabling the global shortcut key methods worked for them. In case it doesn’t work for you, you can try changing the OneNote Hotkey from the Registry Editor. Follow the below-mentioned steps to modify the OneNote Hotkey.

1. Press the Windows key and type Registry Editor in the Search Bar. 
2. Open the Registry Editor and head to the mentioned location:
3. Right-click on an empty part and select New from the given options. 
4. Select DWORD (32 bits) Value from the given options.
5. Type ScreenClippingShortcutkey in the Value name field and press Enter. 
6. Double click on the ScreenClippingShortcut key and select Hexadecimal as the Base. 7. Add 5A in the Value data field. 
7. Lastly, click on OK.
8. You have now changed the OneNote Hotkey. You need to now use the Windows + Shift + Z shortcut key whenever you want to capture screenshots. 

13. Reset the PC

The last solution that can indeed solve the Windows + Shift + S not working issue is resetting the PC. You can try resetting your Windows 11 PC to eliminate this problem from the roots. Resetting the PC is pretty easy, and the below-mentioned steps explain the same. 

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app. 
2. Head to the Recovery tab. 
3. Click on Reset PC under the Recovery options section. 
4. Select Keep my files on the popup and let the system reset all the settings. 
5. Let the entire system restore, excluding documents stored on your system. 

Why Isn’t Windows Shift S Not Working?

One of the most causes of this problem is the fault in the keyboard. As a result, you are unable to capture screenshots on your Windows 11 PC. 

How Do I Use Shift S in Windows 11?

You can use the Windows + Shift + S shortcut key to launch the Snipping Tool and capture a snapshot of your preferred portion or window. 

How Do I Get Windows Shift S To Work?

You can try cleaning your keyboard keys ensuring there are no dust particles beneath the keys preventing them from pressing completely. We also suggest enabling the Clipboard History option on your system.

How Do I Enable Clipboard History?

Open the Settings app on your system. Type Clipboard Settings in the Search Bar and open it. Enable the Clipboard History option in the Clipboard Settings, and you’re done. 

Did Windows 11 Get Rid of Snipping Tool?

Windows 11 comes with the Snipping Tool to capture snapshots with ease. You can simply open the Snipping Tool by pressing Windows + Shift + S or Fn + PrtScr to take screenshots.

Final Words

Using the Windows + Shift + S shortcut key to open the Snipping Tool saves a lot of time and effort. However, its sudden breakdown sometimes ruins the entire user experience. Fortunately, you can simply resolve the Windows + Shift + S not working issue by implementing the above-mentioned solutions. Try all of them patiently and carefully one by one and escape this deteriorating situation. Also, let us know which method resolved the problem for you.