[Solved] 5 Methods to Solve Screenshot Not Working on iPhone

Taking screenshots is one of the things we do with our iPhones. When we randomly scroll on our social media feed or read some news, we often encounter things that are worthy of being saved. But what if there’s a photo or an important text that you wanted to capture with a screenshot, but your iPhone's screenshot function was not working? Don’t worry because we got you with this problem. There are five methods to address this, so if you're currently facing this issue, this article has prepared you with a step-by-step solution to troubleshoot and resolve issues with screenshots not working on iPhones.

Part 1: Why is Screenshot Not Working on iPhone

Screenshots not working on iPhones can sometimes be perplexing and inconvenient. If you’re wondering why this happens to your iPhone, consider the following factors that could be causing the problem:

Software Glitches

Software bugs are one of the reasons why screenshots on iPhones don't work. iPhones run on iOS, which is a complex software system. Occasionally, bugs or glitches may occur within this system that can affect various features, including the screenshot function.

Wrong Button Combination

When taking a screenshot on an iPhone, you usually have to press some buttons at the same time, such as the Power and Volume Up buttons. If you don't press these buttons accordingly at the same time, or if you accidentally press other buttons, the iPhone screenshot will not work.

App Restrictions

Some apps, especially those that contain sensitive information like banking or messaging apps, may turn off screenshot functionality to prevent unauthorized access to private data. This is a security measure implemented by app developers to protect user privacy.

Low Battery

When the battery of your iPhone is critically low, the device may conserve power by turning off certain non-essential features, including screenshotting. This is to ensure that the remaining battery power is used for other functions that are deemed essential and to prevent the device from shutting down unexpectedly.

Insufficient Storage

iPhones have limited storage capacity, so if your device is full storage, it can impact your iPhone’s performance and functionality, including screenshotting. Therefore, you can free up space on your iPhone and enhance its overall performance by removing any unnecessary files, images, or programs.

iOS Updates

Lastly, outdated iOS is sometimes the cause of screenshots not working on iPhone problems. Apple regularly updates the iOS operating system, which often includes bug fixes, security patches, and improvements to existing features.

Part 2: How to Fix Screenshot Not Working on iPhone

Method 1: Reopen The Photo App

If you're unable to find a screenshot you've taken in the Photos app due to screenshots not working on iPhone issue, try reopening the app on your iPhone. Sometimes, glitches in the background process of the Photos app can disrupt the screenshot function. You may verify that the screenshot is saved there as intended by shutting down and restarting the Photos app.

Note: If this method doesn’t work, as this only addresses potential software issues, proceed to method 2.

Method 2: Restart The iPhone

Restarting your iPhone can often resolve various software-related issues, including problems with screenshotting.

For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15:

Step 1. Simply press and hold either the Volume button along the Side button until the power-off slider appears.

Note: The Volume button is positioned on the left side, while the side button is located on the right side of the device.

Step 2. Slide the Power-off slider, then allow your device about 30 seconds to power off. If your device becomes unresponsive, perform a force restart.

Step 3. To power your device back on, just press the Side button, hold it, and wait until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Then you can try to take a screenshot on your iPhone to see if the problem is solved.

For iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE 2nd or 3rd generation:

Step 1. Press and hold the side button until the power-off slider emerges.

Step 2. Slide the slider to power off your device. In case of unresponsiveness, initiate a force restart.

Step 3. To switch it on, press the side button and wait until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone SE 1st generation, 5, or earlier models:

Step 1. Press and hold the top button until the power-off slider becomes visible.

Note: The power button is situated at the top of the device.

Step 2. Slide the slider to turn off your device, and wait for around 30 seconds for it to complete the shutdown process. If your device freezes, perform a force restart.

Step 3. To switch it on, press the side button and wait until the Apple logo appears.

Therefore, refreshing the device's system processes and potentially clearing any temporary glitches or conflicts that may be affecting the screenshot functionality can fix screenshots not working on iPhone problems.

Method 3: Update iOS to the Latest Version

It’s important to ensure that your iPhone is in the latest version of iOS. Usually, Apple releases updates with bug fixes and improvements, which may address issues with screenshot functionality.

To update your iPhone:

Go to your iPhone’s Settings > General > Software Update, then download and install any available updates.

By updating your iPhone to the latest version, you not only fix the screenshot problems but also ensure that your device benefits from the latest features and performance improvements.

This is also the solution to fix iPhone videos not playing or buffering.

Method 4: Use the Assistive Touch Feature

Now, if the physical buttons on your iPhone are not working, you can use the AssistiveTouch feature to take screenshots.

To do this:

Step 1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings, then proceed to General. From there, look for Accessibility and find Touch/ AssistiveTouch. Now, customize it by adding the Screenshot option.

Step 2. Once set up, you can now take screenshots by just simply tapping the AssistiveTouch button and selecting the Screenshot from the menu.

This method can be a great alternative when buttons on your Iphone are not working. However, take note that using AssistiveTouch may require additional steps and adjustments that might be overwhelming for new not techy users.

Method 5: Charge Your iPhone

Low battery levels can sometimes affect the functionality of certain features on your iPhone, including screenshotting. If your iPhone's battery is critically low, charge it using the appropriate charger and cable. Once the battery has sufficient charge, try capturing a screenshot again to see if the issue persists.

Note: This cause is often overlooked. Therefore, charging your phone can potentially fix the screenshots not working on iPhone problems.

Part 3: Alternative Way to Take Screenshot on iPhone When Screenshot is Not Working

Now, if any of the methods above don't work on your iPhone, using a third-party tool such as FVC Screen Recorder is the best for you. This tool allows you to screenshot anything on your iPhone screen through the screen mirroring feature of this tool connected to your iOS device. This is quick and easy to do, so this won’t take much of your time to screenshot on your iPhone’s screen.

Step 1. Download and open FVC Screen Recorder on your laptop.

Step 2. Now, click on the Phone recorder option. You’ll find this on the right side of the tool’s window together with the other 3 options.

Step 3. Next, you’ll see two options there, but since you are using an iPhone device, click on the iOS Recorder.

Step 4. After that, a new window containing an on-screen instruction will apear. From there, you’ll choose between Screen Mirroring or Audio Mirroring, in your case, choose Screen Mirroring.

Step 5. Now, on your iPhone, open your Control Center, and from there, click Screen Mirroring to open the drop-down list. Then click on Aiseesoft Screen Recorder to connect the iPhone to the computer.

Step 6. Lastly, when set, just click on the Snapshot icon when you want to take a screenshot and access it in its respective Windows folder.

With FVC Screen Recorder, you can solve screenshots not working on iPhone problems. Its intuitive feature allows you to screenshot the mirrored screen of your iPhone quickly and easily. This is definitely the best alternative you can use so far.

Part 4: FAQs about Screenshot Not Working on iPhone

Conclusion

Indeed, it’s understandable that dealing with screenshots not working on your iPhone issue can be frustrating and discouraging, especially when this is part of your workflow. However, you can simply resolve this issue by using the appropriate techniques outlined in this article. So, don't let screenshot issues ruin your iPhone experience any longer. Learn them today and enjoy taking screenshots of important moments and information on your iPhone device.