List of best screen capture software and screen capture tool. Screenshot software or tool which allows you to quickly capture screenshots of a selected region, window, or entire computer screen that can be saved as a graphics file.
Sep 28, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
There is no doubt that taking a screenshot on Mac is quite straightforward because Apple has given an easy way to do that. However, a lot of users have complained that they have encountered a 'screenshot on Mac not working' problem. If you are also one of those users who are going through this same issue, then you might be looking for methods to fix it.
Well, you have come to the right place. Here, in this article, we have mentioned several ways you can try to come out of this problem without much hassle.
Part 1. What Is a Screenshot?
Best Screenshot For Mac
The term 'Screenshot' also known as a snapshot or screen capture, or print screen. It is a picture that shows the contents of your computer display. In simple words, it allows you to capture whatever you are seeing on your device screen. Once a screenshot is taken, you can save it as an image file where you can open it to edit.
At present, the screenshot feature is quite helpful and that's it is present in all electronic devices, such as smartphones, computers, and tablets. The feature is very useful in many situations, such as when you have to share the screen picture with others or to provide software reviews.
Part 2. How to Take a Screenshot on Mac?
Before you go for a solution to fix the 'screenshot on Mac not working' issue, you need to first learn how to take a screenshot on Mac in the right way. It might be the case that you are capturing your system screen using wrong commands and that's why you met with this annoying problem.
1. Screenshot a window
To screen capture for a window on Man, you need to follow the below steps:
- Use 'Command + Shift + 4' at the same time. As you see crosshairs on your screen, use the 'Space' key to hover the cursor over the window. Next, click either on the trackpad or mouse. Don't forget to hold the Space bar when you are dragging.
- Now, you will see the Camera icon, and your window will turn into a grey color. If you end up opening multiple windows, then select the one you like to capture. Finally, tap on the mouse, and you are done with capturing the screenshot for the window.
- After that, you can either right-click on the application icon and choose 'Move to Trash' option or you can simply drag the program icon to the Trash.
2. Screenshot the entire screen
To capture the entire screen, follow the steps:
- To start with, you have to use 'Command + Shift+ 3' keys at the same time.
- Next, you'll the camera shutter sound, and your screenshot will be saved on the desktop.
3. Screenshot a portion of the screen
Follow the below steps to capture a part of your screen:
- Use 'Command + Shift + 4' Keys at the same time. Using this shortcut, you will be able to take a screenshot of a specific portion.
- After pressing the keys, you will see a cross with some numbers. So, drag the cross across the region that you like to capture.
4. Screenshot a dropdown menu
Follow the steps to capture a dropdown menu on Mac:
- First, open the menu and then, use 'Command + Shift + 4' keys at the same time, and next, drag the cross to the region of the menu.
- Now, release the mouse to screenshot the region, and next, use the Space key to alter the pointer to a camera. Finally, press the menu to take a screenshot.
That's how you can take a screenshot on Mac. If the above steps didn't work to take and save a screenshot on your Mac, then check out the next section where we have mentioned some solutions that can fix the problem you're going through.
Video Guide on How To Take A Screenshot on Mac
Part 3. How to Fix 'Screenshot on Mac Not Working'?
Well, you now got an idea about how to take a screenshot on Mac in the right way. But, if you still met with a 'screenshot on Mac not working' problem, then try below methods that can probably help you to fix the issue with ease.
1. Check the Keyboard Shortcut Settings
You can use the keyboard shortcut 'Command + Shift + 3' to take a full-screen screenshot and shortcut 'Command + Shift + 4' to capture selected area unless you've activated the screenshots shortcuts.
By default, the screenshot keyboard shortcuts are activated. But, it might be the case that you have configured the settings and don't remember at all. Thus, in this case, all you have to do is to check if the screenshot shortcut is active on your Mac.
Here are simple steps on how you can check:
- To start with, go to the 'Apple' menu and then, navigate to 'System Preferences'.
- Next, tap on 'Keyboard' and next, tap on the 'Shortcuts' tab.
- After that, tap on the 'Screenshots' option from the left side of the window.
- Finally, make sure that all options here are check or active.
Once you ensure keyboard shortcuts for screenshots on your Mac are active, try again to take a screenshot and see whether the problem is gone. If no, then don't be panic as you can try the following solutions to fix it.
2. Restart the Mac
Another thing you can try is simply restarting your Mac. Applications and programs won't work perfectly if you've not restarted your system for a long time. Thus, in such cases, a simple restart on Mac can probably fix the problem without many efforts. Luckily, many users have fixed the problem with this method and so, you must try it too.
There are three ways you can try to restart your Mac, which include:
- Press and hold down the 'Power' button and choose the 'Restart' option. Alternatively, you can use 'Control + Eject' and choose 'Restart'.
- Go to the 'Apple' menu and next, choose 'Restart'.
- Use 'Control + Command + Eject' or 'Control + Command + Power' and next, choose 'Restart'.
After restarting your Mac, the problem should be fixed now. But, if not, then go for the next solutions to fix the 'screenshot on Mac not working' issue.
3. Use Grab to Screenshot on Mac
There are also other ways to take a screenshot on Mac you might don't aware of them. So, instead of taking screenshots using keyboard shortcuts, use Grab to capture screen on your system. Grab is a pre-installed application for Mac OS X and macOS that allows you to take screenshots of the entire screen, the whole window, or only a specified area of your screen.
Here are the simple steps on how to use Grab utility to take screenshots on Mac:
- To start with, you need to open 'Applications' and next, tap on 'Utilities'.
- After that, look for 'Grab' and select it.
- Now, click on 'Capture'.
As per your requirements, you can choose any one option and take a screenshot.
4. Use Preview to Screenshot on Mac
If you encounter a problem like a screenshot on Mac not working, then you can use Preview to capture screenshots. Well, Preview is nothing, but default utility that lets you open and modifies or edit images. Besides this, you can also take a screenshot on Mac using the Preview tool.
Here are simple steps on how to use Preview to screenshot on Mac:
- To begin with, navigate to 'Preview'.
- Next, tap on 'File' and after that, select 'Take Screenshot'.
- Now, choose any one option as per your need.
As you can see there are many alternatives to take a screenshot on Mac. Hopefully, the above methods help you to resolve the problem for you.
Part 4. How to Recover Lost Screenshots on Mac?
Spotify app for mac slow. In some cases, although screenshots are saved by resolving the problem 'screenshot on Mac not working', there are chances that you still lost them due to unknown reason. But, don't be panic if this situation happens to you because you still have a powerful method to recover your lost screenshots on your Mac. And that method is using Recoverit data recovery for Mac.
Luckily, Recoverit Data Recovery software is primarily designed to help those users who accidentally lost their files, such as photos, videos, audio, and documents. No matter how you lost your screenshots whether deleting by mistake, virus attack, or sudden power failure, the tool is powerful enough to work under numerous data loss scenarios.
Recovering media files with this tool takes a few minutes and three easy steps. In order to get back lost screenshots using Recoverit, you need to first download and install the software on your computer. Once you installed the software, follow the below steps:
Step 1: Select the screenshot drive
To start with, run Recoverit. Now, you need to choose a hard drive location from where you have lost your screenshots and click the Start button.
Step 2: Scan the Location
Now, the program will start looking for lost files by performing a scan on your selected hard drive location. Here, it may take several minutes to complete the entire scan process.
Step 3: Preview and Recover
Finally, preview the files and choose the desired files you want to get back after the scan is complete. And click on the 'Recover' button to save recovered screenshots on your Mac.
So, you now know what you can do if you ever lost your important files on Mac. However, while you are saving recovered screenshots on Mac, don't save them to the location from where they get lost.
Part 5. Tips against 'Screenshot on Mac Not Working'
Hopefully, the problem 'screenshot on Mac not working' is fixed for you with the help of the above-mentioned methods. However, here are some more tips and tricks you can try to avoid facing the same problem again in the future.
- If you're not good at remembering keyboard shortcuts, then use Grab or Preview to take a screenshot on your system.
- It might be the case that keyboard shortcuts of your Mac are damaged and that's why you are not able to capture a screen using keys.
- You may have changed the default location for saving screenshots and that's why it seems to you that screenshots aren't working on your Mac. So, check the location where your Mac screenshots are saved.
- Sometimes, third-party applications installed on your system prevent the proper functioning of other Mac utilities or programs. So, uninstall or get rid of third-party apps if you've on your system.
- Mac systems are also susceptible to bugs and viruses, which can corrupt your system. As a result, you can face a screenshot, not a working issue. Thus, use anti-virus to protect your system from bugs.
The problem 'screenshot on Mac not working' can be easily resolved if you know the right solutions for this. Luckily, here we have listed all probable methods that can help you to fix the issue with ease. Plus, if you ever end up losing your important screenshots on Mac, then we have also provided the solution to this problem too. It is Recoverit data recovery for Mac. With the help of this tool, you can easily rescue your lost screenshots.
What's Wrong with Mac
- Recover Your Mac
- Fix Your Mac
- Delete Your Mac
- Learn Mac Hacks
Portable Document Format or PDF is a type of file format that is being used across the globe these days. This file is described as a fixed layout flat document that includes fonts, text, graphics and other info that is needed to be displayed. It was at first a proprietary format under Adobe Systems and later released as an open standard on 2008. However, any application that opens PDF does not have a built-in screenshot function. Taking PDF screenshot is essential since it allows users to capture certain data that is contained in a PDF file. Moreover it can also easily be shared on different social media sites. And if you are in search of the best ways to take PDF snapshot then more information will be provided after the jump.
Amazon glacier app mac pro. Amazon Glacier for your MacEasy access to your archives from a convenient app. Amazon Glacier for your Mac. Arq is our Mac backup app that backs up your files to your own Amazon Glacier account. Backing up to Glacier is very popular because the storage cost is only $.01/GB per month! If you have, say, 100GB of files, it would only cost $1/month to store them in Glacier. But Amazon Glacier pricing can be complex. So, if you’re using Amazon S3 like a Dropbox or Google Drive, Arq is great for that, too! It even has a built in calculator for your S3 use. For only $29, this Mac app makes using Amazon Glacier a real breeze. When you factor in the one time cost of the app with the monthly cost of Amazon Glacier.
Install OneDrive on an external drive. OneDrive (work or school) OneDrive. First, you should check the file system of the external drive you'll be using. Windows Mac Android. The OneDrive app can be downloaded and installed on a memory card in Android, but pre-installed versions cannot be moved from phone to memory card. The next time you restart that Mac, it will boot to main, internal hard drive as normal. (Or you can hold Option and boot to the external drive again, if needed.) Now, you can install iTunes and M4VGear on your external hard drive and then smoothly convert iTunes videos as before. Can you install apps on external drive mac. Open the BootCamp folder and run the Setup app to install the Boot Camp drivers. Thats it your done now u have an external drive with both bootable windows partiton and one avialable for mac(Mac can read both partitions but windows can only read the NTFS partition), u can use the mac partition as spare space to install apps or a time machine drive. After the applications had been moved over to the external drive, that should free up space of the original drive in the mac mini. See this link and this link on how to create Mac partition in the external drive. Note: Make sure you backup the files in case of partition failure or making mistakes as you can easily lose data when createing. Once you have installed macOS on the external drive all you need to do is hold Option/Alt down when you start up your Mac you can choose to boot from that drive. The benefit of this method is you.
How to Take PDF Screenshots?
How to make PDF screenshot on Windows
- Basic way – Pressing PrtScn Key
Where Is Screenshot
If you’re looking for a way to take screenshot in PDF using Windows, then the convenient method for you is utilizing the default Print Screen key. This usual way is reliable, but its function is limited in taking screenshot. In addition, adding annotations is not allowed with this tool, and it can’t share the image online as well. Plus, the screnshoot taken this way is pasted to the clipboard, you should go with the “Paint” to do some editing.
- Desirable way – Using Free Online Screenshot
The most desirable way to screenshot PDF is by using an outstanding application called Free Online Screenshot. Unlike other programs, this screen capture tool is web-based, so there’s no need to download or install anything. Furthermore, this tool has a built-in image editor for adding annotations and a function to save image on cloud storage. Moreover, it provides sharing function which enables users to share image on various social media sites.
Here are the ways to capture PDF snapshot using this tool:
- Go to the official page of this free screenshot tool and click “Take Screenshot”.
- Wait for the tool to appear, and then open the PDF that you want to capture.
- To take screenshot, click the camera icon to launch the cross-hair.
- Next, click and drag your mouse along the PDF page you want to capture and then release it.
- An image preview along with a picture editor will be shown, from here you can add annotations if you wish.
- To save the image on local disk, simply hit the diskette like icon.
On the other hand, if you wish to use this app without an internet connection then you can download and use its pro version which is called Screen Capture Pro. It provides 10 screenshot modes for you to choose from and has two built-in image editors. Besides, making screen recording and create schedule task for taking screenshots are also available. Get all of these incredible features by hitting the download button below.
How to make PDF screenshot on Mac
- Basic way – Pressing Shift+Cmd+3/4 Key
For Mac users, the simplest way for you to snapshot PDF is by using the built-in screenshot configuration. In this method users can capture a whole PDF file by pressing “Shift+Cmd+3” keys, while pressing “Shift+Cmd+4” keys to take regional screenshot. This method saves the captured screenshot on desktop directly. However, its function is also limited to take screenshot, picture enhancement and adding annotations is not provided.
- Desirable way– Using Apowersoft Mac Screenshot
For a desirable way of taking screenshot on PDF with Mac, it’s best to use Apowersoft Mac Screenshot. This program is design to meet all of the screenshot needs of Mac users across the Web. By using this app, users can capture PDF screenshots easily and it has a built-in picture editor for adding annotations. Furthermore, this program also has a sharing function and cloud storage, which is beneficial in sharing screenshots via social networks and storing image online.
Here are the ways on how to take a screenshot of a PDF using Apowersoft Mac Screenshot:
- Get this app by downloading it from its main page.
- Once installed, go to “Options” then set the hotkey, output folder, and image format that you prefer.
- Now open the PDF file that you want to capture and then press the hotkey that you’ve set.
- Next, is to drag the cross-hair along the area to capture and release it.
- A photo preview will appear, together with an image editor. If you wish you can do some basic editing.
- In order to save the image on local folder, click the diskette like icon.
How to make PDF screenshot on Android and iOS
In an event that you need to capture PDF from your smart phones running on Android and iOS, you can always use their default screenshot function. For Android device you can take screenshot by pressing the “Volume down” button and the “Power” button at the same time. While for iOS device, press the “Power” button and the “Home” button synchronously.
These are the best ways to capture snapshot on PDF. Moreover, it is recommended to use both the desirable solutions that we’ve discussed above. Since both applications are packed with interesting functions to make your process of taking screenshot more productive. And it has an easy to use interface perfect for beginners and advanced users.