Simple enough to capture screenshots from your Android smartphone. There are many reasons to take screenshots, whether you need to save something on the internet or to show proof of your high score in a popular video game. What if your Android smartphone fails? Take any photos?
In this post, we’ve listed out some effective troubleshooting tips to fix the screenshots not working issue on Android. Let’s check some reasons why apps might not let you take screenshots.
Why Certain Apps Don’t Allow You to Take Screenshots on Android
For security reasons, some Android apps might prevent you from taking screenshots. To protect your data, financial apps such as banking or payment apps may prevent you from taking screenshots. Popular browsers like Chrome also prevent you from taking screenshots while in incognito mode. When this happens, your Android displays the ‘Can’t take screenshot due to security policy’ or ‘Couldn’t save screenshot’ error.
To prevent digital content theft, many streaming services, such as Netflix, Prime Video and others, have removed screenshot functionality. These apps make screenshots appear empty.
However, if you are unable to take screenshots in any app, it could be a different issue. These troubleshooting tips will help you resolve the problem.
1. Make sure you use the correct key combination
To begin, ensure you’re using the correct key combination to capture screenshots on your Android. After you’re on the screen that you want to capture, press the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time. You’ll hear a sound and see a preview of your screenshot.
This method works with most Android phones. You can use other methods to capture screenshots if this doesn’t work.
2. Other methods are available to capture screenshots
Using physical buttons isn’t the only way to capture screenshots on Android phones. You can also Use Google Assistant Or gestures to do so.
Activate Google Assistant on your Android by saying ‘Hey Google’ or ‘OK Google’ wake words. Then, say ‘take a screenshot’ and Google Assistant will take a snapshot of your current screen.
You can also take screenshots with gestures on many Android phones. Samsung phones allow you to swipe across the screen to take screenshots. You can swipe your finger down with three fingers on OnePlus, Motorola and Xiaomi phones to take a screenshot.
On phones running stock Android, you can use the Screenshot shortcut in the Recent Apps menu to capture a screenshot.
No luck? Don’t worry. Don’t worry. We have more options for you.
3. Restart Your Phone
The classic tip for troubleshooting Android problems is to restart it. This will fix any temporary issues and give the operating system a new start. If you are unable to take screenshots with any of the other methods, then restart your phone.
Hold down the Power button for several seconds to open the power menu. After your phone restarts, tap on Restart to take a screenshot.
4. Check Storage Space
Are you running out of storage space on your Android phone? If so, you may see the ‘Can’t take screenshot due to limited storage space’ message on your screen.
To check your phone’s storage space, open the Settings menu and navigate to ‘Battery and device care.’ Then, tap on Storage to view a complete breakdown of your phone’s storage space.
To quickly clear up space, delete some unnecessary apps and move some media files to the cloud. After that, you should now be able take screenshots with your phone.
5. Enable File Access for Samsung Capture (For Samsung Phones Only)
Samsung Capture, a system application that lets you capture screenshots Capture the screen on your Samsung phone. If you have accidentally disabled file access for this app, you’ll see the ‘Unable to use Samsung capture’ error while taking screenshots.
Follow these steps to fix the ‘Unable to use Samsung capture’ error on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
Step 1 Scroll down in the Settings app to tap Apps.
Step 2 Tap the three-dot icon located in the upper-right corner. Select Special access.
Step 3 Tap on All files access.
Step 4 Scroll down and activate the switch next Samsung capture.
This is it. Take screenshots of your Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
6. Secure Mode
Safe Mode allows your Android phone to run only the required apps and services. This allows you to identify if an app from a third party is causing the problem.
Press and hold the power button to put your phone into Safe Mode. Hold down the Power button and then tap the green checkmark. This will allow you to enter Safe Mode (only available for Samsung phones).
Try taking a screenshot after your phone enters Safe Mode. If this method works, there’s a good chance that one of your third-party apps is to blame. You can fix the issue by going through all your apps, and then removing them one-by-one.
Capture Your Phone’s Screen
It’s frustrating when taking screenshots is not possible on your Android phone. Hopefully, the solutions above help you fix any underlying issue, and you’re able to capture your phone’s screen.