The screenshot feature built into macOS doesn’t require any additional software; it should just work. If it stops working, there are a few places to look for answers, starting with the keyboard. If that accessory works fine, look elsewhere.

Whether you use the tried-and-true keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots or prefer to use the Preview app or the Screenshot app (in Mojave or later), one of these solutions should get your Mac’s screenshot feature working again.

If you can’t take a screenshot on a Mac, you’re missing out on a valuable tool for troubleshooting problems and communicating ideas via email and text message. Since it’s rare for screenshots not to work on a Mac, it may be easy to figure out why your Mac isn’t performing as expected.

It’s a good idea to start by checking to see if your keyboard is responding. If you notice issues with specific keys or temporary unresponsive keys, try these Mac keyboard troubleshooting tips.