How to Take a Screenshot on a Dell PC — 4 Easy Ways, Plus Fixes for When They Don’t Work

Dell PC troubleshooting a non-responsive screenshot shortcut

The four core screenshot methods on a Dell PC are the same as any Windows machine — but Dell’s specific keyboard layouts and pre-installed software create failure points that generic Windows guides don’t address. This covers both the methods and the actual fixes when they don’t respond.

The 4 core methods, briefly

PrtScn (or Fn + PrtScn) — full screen to clipboard
Windows + PrtScn — full screen, auto-saved to Pictures > Screenshots
Windows + Shift + S — custom region, clipboard with markup option
Snipping Tool app — same options, opened as a standalone window

For the shortcuts themselves in more detail, see our quick reference guide. This post focuses on what to do when they don’t work.

Why your screenshot key might not be responding

The Fn Lock issue: many Dell keyboards have a function-lock toggle (often Fn + Esc) that changes whether the top row of keys defaults to media/function actions or F1-F12 behavior. Depending on this setting, PrtScn may need the Fn key held, or may not, and it flips based on this lock state.

Dell Optimizer or Dell Mobile Connect intercepting the shortcut: pre-installed Dell software occasionally claims a keyboard shortcut for its own purpose before Windows processes it. If Windows + Shift + S does nothing at all (not even a brief screen dim), check these apps’ settings for a conflicting hotkey.

⚠️ What actually breaks:

A Windows update occasionally resets keyboard shortcut assignments, including ones Dell software has customized — if a screenshot method that worked yesterday suddenly stops, check Windows Update history before assuming a hardware issue.

Fix checklist, in order

Try the shortcut with and without the Fn key
Check Fn Lock status (usually Fn + Esc toggles it, sometimes with an LED indicator)
Close or check settings in Dell Optimizer / Dell Mobile Connect for hotkey conflicts
Restart — genuinely resolves a meaningful share of keyboard shortcut glitches
Check Windows Update history if something that worked recently stopped

If nothing works: a reliable fallback

The Snipping Tool app, opened manually from the Start menu rather than via shortcut, bypasses keyboard shortcut conflicts entirely since you’re clicking a button in the app itself rather than relying on a hotkey being correctly registered.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my Dell screenshot shortcut suddenly stop working?
Most commonly a Windows update reset a customized shortcut, or Dell’s pre-installed software is intercepting the key combination — check both before assuming a hardware fault.

What is Fn Lock and how does it affect screenshots?
It toggles whether your keyboard’s top row defaults to special functions or standard F-keys, which changes whether PrtScn needs the Fn key held alongside it.

Is there a screenshot method that avoids keyboard shortcut conflicts entirely?
Yes — open the Snipping Tool app directly from the Start menu and click its capture button, which doesn’t rely on a hotkey being correctly registered.

Jordan Reyes — Jordan has spent over eight years testing screen recording and productivity software, and founded this site after too many “best of” lists that clearly hadn’t been tested. Read the full editorial standard →