How to Fix Lightshot Not Working on Windows 11

Lightshot is one of the most popular and lightweight screenshot tools out there. It’s fast, easy to use, and integrates nicely with Windows. But if you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11, you might have noticed that Lightshot doesn’t respond when you press the Print Screen key, or it crashes, freezes, or refuses to capture anything at all.

Don’t worry — this is a common issue that can happen due to permission conflicts, corrupted files, or Windows 11’s built-in screenshot tools interfering with Lightshot. In this guide, we’ll show you how to fix Lightshot not working on Windows 11 step by step.

Why Lightshot Stops Working on Windows 11

Before we dive into the fixes, here are the most common reasons Lightshot might not function properly:

• The Print Screen key is already being used by another app (like Snipping Tool or OneDrive).
• The Lightshot process is frozen or blocked by Windows.
• Outdated software or missing permissions prevent Lightshot from launching correctly.
• Conflicting screenshot tools (Snipping Tool, Snip & Sketch, etc.) interfere with it.
• Antivirus or firewall blocking Lightshot from running.
• Corrupted registry entries or Lightshot configuration files.

Step 1: Restart Lightshot

The first thing to try is simply restarting the app. Sometimes, the Lightshot process gets stuck in the background.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Under the Processes tab, look for Lightshot (lightshot.exe).
3. Select it and click End Task.
4. Now reopen Lightshot by searching Lightshot from the Start menu or clicking its shortcut.

Try pressing the Print Screen (PrtScn) key again to see if the screenshot tool works.

Step 2: Run Lightshot as Administrator

Sometimes, Lightshot needs elevated permissions to capture your screen — especially if you’re taking screenshots of certain system windows or admin-level programs.

1. Right-click the Lightshot shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.
2. Choose Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. Check Run this program as an administrator.
5. Click Apply → OK.

Now reopen Lightshot and test it again.

Step 3: Make Sure Lightshot Is Set to Use the Print Screen Key

If pressing PrtScn doesn’t open Lightshot, another app might have taken over that shortcut.

1. Right-click the Lightshot icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner).
2. Select Options.
3. Under the Hotkeys tab, make sure the Capture shortcut is set to Print Screen.
4. If another key is assigned, click the box and press the PrtScn key to reset it.
5. Click OK to save your settings.

If the Print Screen key still doesn’t work, another app might be hijacking it — let’s fix that next.

Step 4: Disable Windows’ Built-in Snipping Tool Shortcut

Windows 11 assigns the Print Screen key to its built-in Snipping Tool by default, which prevents Lightshot from using it.

To disable the Snipping Tool shortcut:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Accessibility → Keyboard.
3. Under the section Use the Print Screen button to open screen capture, turn it off.

Now try pressing Print Screen again — Lightshot should open normally.

Step 5: Check OneDrive Screenshot Settings

If OneDrive is running, it can automatically take over the Print Screen function to save screenshots to the cloud.

1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar.
2. Select Settings → Sync and Backup.
3. Click Manage Backup → Screenshots.
4. Turn off the option that says Automatically save screenshots I capture to OneDrive.

This frees up the Print Screen key for Lightshot.

Step 6: Reinstall or Update Lightshot

If Lightshot still isn’t working, it might be corrupted or outdated.

1. Press Windows + I → Apps → Installed apps.
2. Find Lightshot in the list and click Uninstall.
3. Once removed, download the latest version from the official Lightshot website.
4. Install it and restart your PC.

After reinstalling, test the shortcut again.

Step 7: Allow Lightshot Through Windows Defender or Antivirus

Your antivirus software may be blocking Lightshot from capturing your screen.

To whitelist it in Windows Security:

1. Press Windows + I → Privacy & Security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection.
2. Click Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
3. Scroll down and click Add or remove exclusions.
4. Click Add an exclusion → Folder, then select the Lightshot installation folder (usually under C:\Program Files (x86)\Skillbrains\Lightshot).

If you’re using a third-party antivirus, open its dashboard and add Lightshot to its trusted applications list.

Step 8: Repair Lightshot Registry Entries (Advanced)

If Lightshot still fails to launch, registry conflicts may be preventing it from registering its hotkey.

Warning: Editing the Registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Always back it up before making changes.

1. Press Windows + R, type: regedit and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Skillbrains\lightshot
3. Right-click the lightshot folder and choose Delete.
4. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.
5. Reinstall Lightshot to recreate clean registry entries.

Step 9: Check Background Apps Settings

Windows 11 might be preventing Lightshot from running in the background.

1. Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
2. Find Lightshot, click the three-dot menu, and select Advanced options.
3. Under Background apps permissions, select Always.

This ensures Lightshot can stay active in the background and respond to shortcuts.

Step 10: Reset Windows Snipping Tool (If Conflict Persists)

If Lightshot still doesn’t launch, resetting the built-in Snipping Tool can remove conflicts.

1. Press Windows + I → Apps → Installed apps.
2. Search Snipping Tool.
3. Click the three-dot menu → Advanced options.
4. Click Reset under Reset this app.

Restart your PC and check if Lightshot works normally afterward.

Step 11: Run Lightshot in Compatibility Mode

Older versions of Lightshot might not fully support Windows 11. Running it in compatibility mode can help.

1. Right-click the Lightshot shortcut → Properties.
2. Go to the Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for: and select Windows 10.
4. Click Apply → OK, then reopen Lightshot.

Wrapping Up

The Lightshot not working on Windows 11 issue usually comes down to conflicts with the Print Screen key or Windows’ built-in screenshot tools. Most users can fix it quickly by turning off the “Use Print Screen to open screen capture” setting, restarting Lightshot, or reinstalling the app.

If it still doesn’t work, running Lightshot as admin or freeing up the hotkey from OneDrive will almost always resolve the problem.

Once fixed, Lightshot will once again let you capture, annotate, and share screenshots in seconds — without any interruptions.