When you're facing an issue on your Mac and need to explain it to someone, a screenshot can replace countless words. Yet, many users have encountered the frustrating problem of screenshot on Mac not working—severely impacting their workflow and efficiency. The good news? You’ve come to the right guide to quickly and easily resolve this issue.

Part 1. How to Take Screenshots on Mac Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Similar to capturing screens on Windows, numerous Mac users rely on print screen functions daily. When people mention screenshot problems on Mac, they’re typically referring to issues with keyboard shortcuts.

Here are the default Mac screenshot shortcuts—make sure you're using them correctly:

• Command ? Ctrl Shift 3 – Captures the entire screen and copies it to clipboard
• Command ? Shift 3 – Takes a full-screen screenshot and saves it as a file
• Command ? Ctrl Shift 4 – Captures a selected portion and copies it to clipboard
• Command ? Shift 4 – Captures a selected area and saves it as a file

Part 2. How to Fix Screenshot Not Working on Mac

If you’re confident you’re pressing the correct keys but still can’t take screenshots, follow these 5 troubleshooting tips.

Tip 1. Verify Your Keyboard Is Functioning Properly

While modern users upgrade their devices more frequently than in the past, if your keyboard has been in use for several years, one or more keys might be damaged. Test each relevant key (Command, Shift, Control, Option) to ensure they respond. If the keyboard works fine, proceed to the next step.

Tip 2. Review Screenshot Shortcut Settings

As shown in Part 1, Mac has several default screenshot shortcuts. If none are working, they may have been changed accidentally.

• Step 1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner.
• Step 2. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts.
• Step 3. Select "Screenshots" from the left panel and review the assigned shortcuts on the right.
• Step 4. Ensure the options are enabled, and click "Restore Defaults" if needed.
  

Since screenshot shortcuts are used frequently, it’s best to keep them simple and intuitive. If you’re new to Mac or recently changed settings, allow time to adjust.

Tip 3. Restart Your Mac

A non-functional screenshot feature could be a temporary glitch resolved by restarting.

• Step 1. Click the Apple icon in the upper-left.
• Step 2. Choose Restart…
• Step 3. After reboot, test the screenshot shortcut again.

Many software-related issues disappear after a restart, as it clears potential conflicts.

Tip 4. Reset NVRAM on Your Mac

NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) stores essential system settings. If the screenshot function still fails after a reboot, resetting NVRAM might help.

• Step 1. Shut down your Mac.
• Step 2. Press the Power button, then immediately hold Option Command P R.
• Step 3. Keep holding for about 20 seconds (or until you hear the startup sound twice on older models).
• Step 4. Release the keys—the NVRAM is now reset.

Note: The exact timing may vary depending on your Mac model. Refer to Apple’s official documentation for model-specific instructions.

Tip 5. Adjust Dropbox Settings

If you have Dropbox installed, it might be intercepting your screenshots and saving them to the cloud instead of your local drive.

• Step 1. Launch Dropbox.
• Step 2. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner.
• Step 3. Go to Preferences > Import.
• Step 4. Uncheck the option "Share screenshots using Dropbox."

Part 3. How to Take Screenshots on Mac Without Keyboard Shortcuts

If your keyboard is physically damaged or the above fixes don’t work, try these alternative methods.

Method 1. Use the Grab Application

Grab is a built-in Mac utility designed for screen captures.

• Navigate to Applications > Utilities.
• Open Grab and use the Capture menu to take screenshots.

Method 2. Use the Preview App

Preview isn’t just for viewing images—it can also capture your screen.

• Open Preview.
• Click File in the menu bar, hover over Take Screenshot, and choose From Selection, From Window, or From Entire Screen.

Though these methods require more steps than using shortcuts, they’re reliable backups when keyboard-based screenshots fail.

Pro tips: After taking a screenshot, it may go to your clipboard or be saved directly to your desktop or another folder. Organize them properly to avoid confusion. If you accidentally delete a screenshot or lose photos, consider using Jihosoft Photo Recovery to retrieve them. It also supports recovery from digital cameras and other storage devices.

Conclusion

This guide has walked you through diagnosing and fixing the screenshot not working on Mac issue. Hopefully, your MacBook or iMac is now functioning correctly. Even in cases of hardware issues or persistent bugs, the alternative methods provided ensure you can still capture your screen when needed. Feel free to share your experience or ask questions in the comments below.

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