1. Ensure that keyboard shortcuts are enabled
How do you take a screenshot on your Mac? If you’re trying to press command + 3, command + 4, or command + 5, and nothing is working, maybe the keyboard shortcuts are turned off. Here’s how to enable keyboard shortcuts on your Mac: Try taking a screenshot now; if the screenshot on Mac is still not working, move on to the next step.
2. Check the screenshot location
Supposedly all is going well when you’re taking a screenshot, but you can’t spot it anywhere on the Desktop, Downloads, Documents folder, etc.; maybe your Mac screenshots are not saving, or the save location is different. So, let’s check the settings and correct them if needed. Note: You can also change the screenshot location and file type (PNG, JPEG TIFF) via Terminal commands.
3. Restart the Mac
Restarting your Mac mostly works like a charm, especially if you haven’t shut it down in some time. It’s one of our favorite tricks at iGeeksBlog, as it usually gets rid of minor system bugs. So, go ahead, click the Apple icon → select Restart.
4. Update your Mac
Sometimes the answer to why my Mac won’t take a screenshot is as simple as a software issue. And the solution lies with a bug-fixing OS update. So, check your Mac for an update and do the needful. Go to the Apple icon → About this Mac → Software update → Upgrade Now (if available). Hopefully, you’ll be able to take screenshots now; otherwise, it’s time for some stricter actions.
5. Check for malware
While malware is not so common in Macs, there is a chance some unwanted, malicious actor has slipped under the radar. Especially if your Mac stopped taking screenshots after downloading any unknown software or suspicious file. A simple way to confirm the root cause is to load your Mac in safe mode. If screenshots are working in safe mode, your culprit is an app or malware. Don’t worry; a decent antivirus app can help you fish out and clean the Mac.
6. Reset the NVRAM
NVRAM is the memory section of Macs that stores information about basic settings like time zone, screen volume, resolution, etc. A reset basically removes the custom settings you or apps make and returns to the default. M1 Macs auto-resets the memory when it detects an issue in the settings. However, you’ll have to manually reset NVRAM on Intel Macs. Shut down your Mac and restart it while pressing command + Option + P + R for about 20 seconds. Leave the keys once your Mac boots twice. Once your Mac starts again, try taking a screenshot. If you still can’t take a screenshot, here are some contingency plans.
7. Alternatives you can try
While the easiest way to take a screenshot on Mac is keyboard shortcuts, there are other ways you can try.
I. Via the screenshot app
Once the app is active, select a suitable option and take a screenshot.
II. Via the Preview app
Once the Preview app is open, click File → Take Screenshot → select either of the options below:
From SelectionFrom WindowFrom Entire Screen
III. Via a third-party screenshot app
A screenshot tool would not only resolve the screenshots not working on Mac issue but also give you extra benefits such as blurring, scrolling screenshots, editing, annotation, etc. I suggest that you try Monosnap; its freemium version lets you easily take and edit screenshots.
8. Contact Apple Support
If nothing else has worked in your favor, the last resort is to contact Apple Support. Although chances are slim, this might be some hardware-related issue, and only they’ll be able to help you out. Signing off… I hope you can take and share screenshots on your Mac seamlessly now! Share a 👍 below, so my team and I know that we were able to help. Are you looking for some fun macOS hacks? Check out these links below:
How to change file and folder icons on Mac (macOS Monterey)How to share screen on FaceTime using iPhone, iPad, and MacMost useful Terminal commands for macOS11 Things to do before selling your Mac (Complete guide)
