How to Fix a Corrupted Snipping Tool in Windows 11 and 10

Snipping Tool is a handy screenshot utility built into Windows, allowing users to capture specific areas of the screen with ease. However, some users have reported encountering issues with a corrupted Snipping Tool, leading to frustrating problems when trying to take screenshots. If you’re facing a corrupted Snipping Tool, don’t worry – there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue and get your screenshot tool working again.

Restore Your PC to a Previous Restore Point

The first step in fixing a corrupted Snipping Tool is to restore your PC to a previous restore point or backup image before the error occurred. This can help undo any system changes or updates that may have led to the Snipping Tool corruption.

To restore your PC to a previous restore point:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “System Restore”.
2. Click on “Create a restore point” and then select “System Restore”.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to select a previous restore point and complete the process.

Run the System File Checker (SFC) Tool

If restoring your PC doesn’t fix the issue, the next step is to run the System File Checker (SFC) tool. This built-in Windows utility can scan and repair any corrupted or missing system files, including the Snipping Tool.lnk file.

To run the SFC tool:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Command Prompt”.
2. Right-click on the Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
3. In the Command Prompt, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
4. The SFC tool will scan your system and attempt to repair any issues it finds.

Perform a Windows Update

If the previous steps haven’t resolved the issue, the final step is to perform a Windows Update. This can help ensure that your system is running the latest version of the Snipping Tool and any associated files.

To perform a Windows Update:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Windows Update settings”.
2. Click on “Check for updates” and let Windows download and install any available updates.
3. Once the update process is complete, try using the Snipping Tool again.

By following these three steps, you should be able to resolve a corrupted Snipping Tool and get your screenshot tool working properly again. Remember to always back up your important data before attempting any system-level changes or updates.