Screenshot For Mac Air

• Screenshot Mac Air 13
• Screenshot For Mac Mojave

Dec 16, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

When you take a screenshot on your Mac – using the Shift-Command-3 shortcut to capture the whole screen, or Shift-Command-4 to capture a portion of it – the image files are saved straight to. The steps in this article were performed on a MacBook Air running the MacOS version of the operating system. When you print screen on a Mac using the method described below, the screenshot image will be saved as a.png file on your Mac's desktop.

To use this screenshot tool on your MacBook Air, here are the steps: Launch the program and a sun-like thing will appear on the upper right corner of your screen which serves as a Jing menu. Now to take a screenshot, move the cursor across the menu and click the one that looks like a cross-hair. Best Screenshot Apps For macOS. MacBook's native screenshot feature is better than any of those on Windows. The quality it provides is very clean and the default shadow effects bring out the snap quite well. If you already didn't know, you can also snap the touch bar on the MacBook Pro natively, just press Cmd+Shift+6.

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?

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. To start with, you have to use 'Command + Shift+ 3' keys at the same time.
2. 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:

1. Use 'Command + Shift + 4' Keys at the same time. Using this shortcut, you will be able to take a screenshot of a specific portion.
2. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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:

1. To start with, go to the 'Apple' menu and then, navigate to 'System Preferences'.
2. Next, tap on 'Keyboard' and next, tap on the 'Shortcuts' tab.
3. After that, tap on the 'Screenshots' option from the left side of the window.
4. 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:

1. Press and hold down the 'Power' button and choose the 'Restart' option. Alternatively, you can use 'Control + Eject' and choose 'Restart'.
2. Go to the 'Apple' menu and next, choose 'Restart'.
3. 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:

1. To start with, you need to open 'Applications' and next, tap on 'Utilities'.
2. After that, look for 'Grab' and select it.
3. 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:

1. To begin with, navigate to 'Preview'.
2. Next, tap on 'File' and after that, select 'Take Screenshot'.
3. 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?

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.

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:

1. To start with, go to the 'Apple' menu and then, navigate to 'System Preferences'.
2. Next, tap on 'Keyboard' and next, tap on the 'Shortcuts' tab.
3. After that, tap on the 'Screenshots' option from the left side of the window.
4. 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:

1. Press and hold down the 'Power' button and choose the 'Restart' option. Alternatively, you can use 'Control + Eject' and choose 'Restart'.
2. Go to the 'Apple' menu and next, choose 'Restart'.
3. 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:

1. To start with, you need to open 'Applications' and next, tap on 'Utilities'.
2. After that, look for 'Grab' and select it.
3. 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:

1. To begin with, navigate to 'Preview'.
2. Next, tap on 'File' and after that, select 'Take Screenshot'.
3. 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?

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.

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If you can't explain something clearly, you can crop a screenshot on Mac instead. A picture is more than a thousand word. For instance, you can send your friend or family of how to use a new software, service or something else on your Mac computer. Sometimes you need to draw on the screenshot to strengthen the key point directly.

There is a built-in snip tool on Mac named Grab. You can use Grab to crop a screenshot of custom screen and window. In macOS Mojave, the Grab app is replaced with Screenshot. As for macOS Catalina, Grab is not included. You need to bring it up with Shift, Command and 5 keys. Or you can crop Mac screenshots via keyboard shortcuts.

Whatever, let's see how to screenshot on Mac in 3 different ways.

Part 1: How to Crop and Edit a Screenshot on Mac

It is helpful if you add draws on a screenshot. Others can understand what you want to express quickly and directly. To full control Mac screenshots, it is recommended to use Vidmore Screen Recorder. You can use Vidmore Screen Recorder free version to take screenshots with real-time drawing effects on Mac. The program is completely free to crop, edit, share and manage screenshots on Mac. Here're the main features of the Mac screenshot capture software.

• Crop a screenshot on Mac of the whole screen, a single window or any selected area.
• Edit a screenshot on Mac with text, arrow, line, blur, callout and other shapes in any size and color.
• Save a screenshot on Mac as PNG, JPG, JPEG, BMP, GIF or TIFF.
• Share a screenshot on Mac to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Flickr, etc.
• 100% free to take screenshots on Mac. No registration or user account required. No watermark.
• Work with Mac OS X 10.10 or above.

Step 1: Free download, install and launch Vidmore Screen Recorder. Choose Screen Capture in the main interface.

Step 2: You can see the cursor move in the pop up window. If you want to crop a screenshot on Mac of the certain browser, program or entire screen, you can left click the mouse to confirm. Or you can click and drag your mouse to set the certain screenshot capture area.

Step 3: To edit the Mac screenshot, you can choose any drawing tool in the small window. For instance, you can click on the Callout icon to access it. Set the size and color based on your need. Now you can draw on the screenshot image directly.

Step 4: You can erase, undo or redo any change on the Mac screenshot. If you want to copy the Mac screenshot to clipboard, you can click the Copy button directly. It is also supported to pin the screenshot to screen. Or you can click Save to save a screenshot on Mac. In the popping-up Save as window, you can set the destination folder, tags, file name and format. Finally, click Save to export your Mac snapshot.

You may need: How to add watermark to video

Screenshot Mac Air 13

Part 2: How to Crop a Screenshot on Mac with Grab

Screenshot For Mac Mojave

For average Mac users, you can use Grab to screenshot images on Mac. In spite of common Mac screenshots, you can take a time-delayed screenshot on Mac using Grab as well. If you are using macOS Catalina, you need to find it by pressing Command, Shift and 5 key combinations.

Step 1: Open Grab in the Launchpad. Or you can find it in the Applications folder as well.

Step 2: You can see Grab's menu bar on the Dock.

Step 3: Choose Selection, Window, Screen or Timed Screen to crop an image on Mac with Grab.

Step 4: From the File drop-down list, choose Save to export your Mac screen capture image as JPEG, PNG or TIFF.

Part 3: How to Crop a Screenshot on Mac with Keyboard Commands

If you want to capture any portion of the screen on your Mac computer immediately, you can use the Mac screenshot keyboard commands. The captured screenshot will be saved to desktop automatically. If you want to crop a screenshot to clipboard on Mac, you can press Control with other fixed combinations. After that, you can edit the screenshot thumbnails with other photo editors. (Edit video with video editors)

Crop a screenshot on Mac of full screen:

Step 1: Press Shift, Command and 3.

Step 2: Click the thumbnail to in the corner to edit the screenshot.

Step 3: The Mac screenshot will show on the desktop automatically.

Crop a screenshot on Mac of any portion:

Step 1: Press Shift, Command and 4.

Step 2: Drag the crosshair and set the screen capture area.

Step 3: Release the mouse or trackpad to crop a screenshot on Mac.

Step 4: The screenshot will be saved to Mac desktop.

Crop a screenshot on Mac of a window or menu:

Step 1: Press Shift, Command, 4 and Space bar.

Step 2: Hover your mouse over the window or menu you want to capture.

Step 3: Click to crop a screenshot on macOS Catalina.

Step 4: You can press Option to exclude window shadow from the screenshot image.

Step 5: The Mac screenshot picture will show on the desktop quickly.

Part 4: FAQs of Cropping a Screenshot on Mac

Why Screenshot on Mac not working?

If you crop a screenshot on Apple TV and other related Apple programs, you are not allowed to use the built-in screenshot shortcuts and programs. The Chrome Incognito mode will stop you from cropping screenshots on Mac as well. During this time, you can run Vidmore Screen Recorder to crop a photo on Mac instead.

What to do when Screenshot on Mac not responding?

You can restart Mac or use alternative screen capture software to solve the problem.

Unable to delete screenshots on Mac?

Dragging and dropping to the Trash is the common solution to delete Mac screenshots. If the screenshot image is stuck, you can press Option, Command and Escape to force quit it first.

That's all to crop a screenshot on Mac of all versions. Can you screenshot on your Mac computer successfully? If you have any question or suggestion about Mac screenshot, you can feel free to contact us.