How to record screen on a Mac using QuickTIme. If you can't run Mojave or don't want to install it, you'll be glad to hear it's still easy to record what is happening on the screen of your Mac. Apple has included an incredibly easy to use screen recorder with macOS High Sierra, contained inside the QuickTime Player utility. AppleInsidershows you how to use it. The QuickTime Player lives.

Dec 16, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

There is no doubt that taking a screenshot on Mac is quite straightforward because Apple has given an easy way to do that. However, a lot of users have complained that they have encountered a 'screenshot on Mac not working' problem. If you are also one of those users who are going through this same issue, then you might be looking for methods to fix it.

Well, you have come to the right place. Here, in this article, we have mentioned several ways you can try to come out of this problem without much hassle.

Part 1. What Is a Screenshot?

The term 'Screenshot' also known as a snapshot or screen capture, or print screen. It is a picture that shows the contents of your computer display. In simple words, it allows you to capture whatever you are seeing on your device screen. Once a screenshot is taken, you can save it as an image file where you can open it to edit.

At present, the screenshot feature is quite helpful and that's it is present in all electronic devices, such as smartphones, computers, and tablets. The feature is very useful in many situations, such as when you have to share the screen picture with others or to provide software reviews.

Part 2. How to Take a Screenshot on Mac?

Before you go for a solution to fix the 'screenshot on Mac not working' issue, you need to first learn how to take a screenshot on Mac in the right way. It might be the case that you are capturing your system screen using wrong commands and that's why you met with this annoying problem.

1. Screenshot a window

To screen capture for a window on Man, you need to follow the below steps:

1. Use 'Command + Shift + 4' at the same time. As you see crosshairs on your screen, use the 'Space' key to hover the cursor over the window. Next, click either on the trackpad or mouse. Don't forget to hold the Space bar when you are dragging.
2. Now, you will see the Camera icon, and your window will turn into a grey color. If you end up opening multiple windows, then select the one you like to capture. Finally, tap on the mouse, and you are done with capturing the screenshot for the window.
3. After that, you can either right-click on the application icon and choose 'Move to Trash' option or you can simply drag the program icon to the Trash.

2. Screenshot the entire screen

To capture the entire screen, follow the steps:

1. To start with, you have to use 'Command + Shift+ 3' keys at the same time.
2. Next, you'll the camera shutter sound, and your screenshot will be saved on the desktop.

3. Screenshot a portion of the screen

Follow the below steps to capture a part of your screen:

1. Use 'Command + Shift + 4' Keys at the same time. Using this shortcut, you will be able to take a screenshot of a specific portion.
2. After pressing the keys, you will see a cross with some numbers. So, drag the cross across the region that you like to capture.

4. Screenshot a dropdown menu

Follow the steps to capture a dropdown menu on Mac:

1. First, open the menu and then, use 'Command + Shift + 4' keys at the same time, and next, drag the cross to the region of the menu.
2. Now, release the mouse to screenshot the region, and next, use the Space key to alter the pointer to a camera. Finally, press the menu to take a screenshot.

That's how you can take a screenshot on Mac. If the above steps didn't work to take and save a screenshot on your Mac, then check out the next section where we have mentioned some solutions that can fix the problem you're going through.

Video Guide on How To Take A Screenshot on Mac

Part 3. How to Fix 'Screenshot on Mac Not Working'?

Well, you now got an idea about how to take a screenshot on Mac in the right way. But, if you still met with a 'screenshot on Mac not working' problem, then try below methods that can probably help you to fix the issue with ease.

1. Check the Keyboard Shortcut Settings

You can use the keyboard shortcut 'Command + Shift + 3' to take a full-screen screenshot and shortcut 'Command + Shift + 4' to capture selected area unless you've activated the screenshots shortcuts.

By default, the screenshot keyboard shortcuts are activated. But, it might be the case that you have configured the settings and don't remember at all. Thus, in this case, all you have to do is to check if the screenshot shortcut is active on your Mac.

Here are simple steps on how you can check:

1. To start with, go to the 'Apple' menu and then, navigate to 'System Preferences'.
2. Next, tap on 'Keyboard' and next, tap on the 'Shortcuts' tab.
3. After that, tap on the 'Screenshots' option from the left side of the window.
4. Finally, make sure that all options here are check or active.

Once you ensure keyboard shortcuts for screenshots on your Mac are active, try again to take a screenshot and see whether the problem is gone. If no, then don't be panic as you can try the following solutions to fix it.

Screen Record Macos High Sierra

2. Restart the Mac

Another thing you can try is simply restarting your Mac. Applications and programs won't work perfectly if you've not restarted your system for a long time. Thus, in such cases, a simple restart on Mac can probably fix the problem without many efforts. Luckily, many users have fixed the problem with this method and so, you must try it too.

There are three ways you can try to restart your Mac, which include:

1. Press and hold down the 'Power' button and choose the 'Restart' option. Alternatively, you can use 'Control + Eject' and choose 'Restart'.
2. Go to the 'Apple' menu and next, choose 'Restart'.
3. Use 'Control + Command + Eject' or 'Control + Command + Power' and next, choose 'Restart'.

After restarting your Mac, the problem should be fixed now. But, if not, then go for the next solutions to fix the 'screenshot on Mac not working' issue.

3. Use Grab to Screenshot on Mac

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There are also other ways to take a screenshot on Mac you might don't aware of them. So, instead of taking screenshots using keyboard shortcuts, use Grab to capture screen on your system. Grab is a pre-installed application for Mac OS X and macOS that allows you to take screenshots of the entire screen, the whole window, or only a specified area of your screen.

Here are the simple steps on how to use Grab utility to take screenshots on Mac:

1. To start with, you need to open 'Applications' and next, tap on 'Utilities'.
2. After that, look for 'Grab' and select it.
3. Now, click on 'Capture'.

As per your requirements, you can choose any one option and take a screenshot.

4. Use Preview to Screenshot on Mac

If you encounter a problem like a screenshot on Mac not working, then you can use Preview to capture screenshots. Well, Preview is nothing, but default utility that lets you open and modifies or edit images. Besides this, you can also take a screenshot on Mac using the Preview tool.

Here are simple steps on how to use Preview to screenshot on Mac:

1. To begin with, navigate to 'Preview'.
2. Next, tap on 'File' and after that, select 'Take Screenshot'.
3. Now, choose any one option as per your need.

As you can see there are many alternatives to take a screenshot on Mac. Hopefully, the above methods help you to resolve the problem for you.

Part 4. How to Recover Lost Screenshots on Mac?

In some cases, although screenshots are saved by resolving the problem 'screenshot on Mac not working', there are chances that you still lost them due to unknown reason. But, don't be panic if this situation happens to you because you still have a powerful method to recover your lost screenshots on your Mac. And that method is using Recoverit data recovery for Mac.

Luckily, Recoverit Data Recovery software is primarily designed to help those users who accidentally lost their files, such as photos, videos, audio, and documents. No matter how you lost your screenshots whether deleting by mistake, virus attack, or sudden power failure, the tool is powerful enough to work under numerous data loss scenarios.

Recovering media files with this tool takes a few minutes and three easy steps. In order to get back lost screenshots using Recoverit, you need to first download and install the software on your computer. Once you installed the software, follow the below steps:

Step 1: Select the screenshot drive

To start with, run Recoverit. Now, you need to choose a hard drive location from where you have lost your screenshots and click the Start button.

Step 2: Scan the Location

Now, the program will start looking for lost files by performing a scan on your selected hard drive location. Here, it may take several minutes to complete the entire scan process.

Step 3: Preview and Recover

Finally, preview the files and choose the desired files you want to get back after the scan is complete. And click on the 'Recover' button to save recovered screenshots on your Mac.

So, you now know what you can do if you ever lost your important files on Mac. However, while you are saving recovered screenshots on Mac, don't save them to the location from where they get lost.

Part 5. Tips against 'Screenshot on Mac Not Working'

Hopefully, the problem 'screenshot on Mac not working' is fixed for you with the help of the above-mentioned methods. However, here are some more tips and tricks you can try to avoid facing the same problem again in the future.

• If you're not good at remembering keyboard shortcuts, then use Grab or Preview to take a screenshot on your system.
• It might be the case that keyboard shortcuts of your Mac are damaged and that's why you are not able to capture a screen using keys.
• You may have changed the default location for saving screenshots and that's why it seems to you that screenshots aren't working on your Mac. So, check the location where your Mac screenshots are saved.
• Sometimes, third-party applications installed on your system prevent the proper functioning of other Mac utilities or programs. So, uninstall or get rid of third-party apps if you've on your system.
• Mac systems are also susceptible to bugs and viruses, which can corrupt your system. As a result, you can face a screenshot, not a working issue. Thus, use anti-virus to protect your system from bugs.

The problem 'screenshot on Mac not working' can be easily resolved if you know the right solutions for this. Luckily, here we have listed all probable methods that can help you to fix the issue with ease. Plus, if you ever end up losing your important screenshots on Mac, then we have also provided the solution to this problem too. It is Recoverit data recovery for Mac. With the help of this tool, you can easily rescue your lost screenshots.

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Sometimes, when you watch the live streaming of a specific show, you may want to capture some moments to share with your friends or loved one who missed it. Being that said, recording your screen while watching it will be the best thing that you can do for them. For Mac users, there are also cases that you need to record your Mac screen in order to make a video tutorial, capture an online conference, record a gameplay, and so on. However, on Mac devices, you might have limited apps that you can use. Proceed to learn the best screen recorder for macOS Sierra we listed in this article.

Best Screen Recorder on macOS Sierra

Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder

Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder is a web-based tool that records your screen and audio at the same time while watching a live stream, live chat, movies and more. Basically, it records all types of activity on your computer. By using it, you can customize the region that you prefer to record or choose full screen. What makes this app more interesting is that you can insert webcams while recording.

Follow the steps below to learn how to use this screen recorder on macOS Sierra.

Step 1. Please go to the official website of Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder. Then click the “Start Recording”, and wait for it to launch.

Step 2. You can make some configurations on the main interface of the program, change the output folder and hotkeys there.

Step 3. Click the record button on the top left of the interface, and select to customize a region or record full screen. During the recording process, you can add a webcam to record by clicking the camera icon on the toolbar.

Step 4. Press the stop button to end the recording once it is finished. Then the file will be saved automatically.

ApowerREC

ApowerREC is an application that allows you to record screen and audio and every activity on your Mac. This app incorporates some features that you will surely find helpful. By using this app, you can do real-time editing while recording your favorite shows. Moreover, you can also schedule a task to record, simultaneously record your screen and your webcam, and take screenshots.

There is more to discover about this app. Let’s learn how to use this macOS Sierra screen recorder.

Step 1. Download and install this program onto your Mac.

Step 2. Launch the application. Turn on the system sound and microphone if you want to record both. Then customize a region to record or record full screen.

Step 3. Click the red “REC” button to start recording and click the red square button to stop it. Then your file will be saved automatically and will appear on the file list.

QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player is a built-in recorder available on macOS 10.12 devices. It can be used to record your screen, mirror iOS devices to Mac, and even save videos from the internet and supply the URL video source at the same time. You can add video and audio files and edit them using the same tool.

Here is an easy guide for screen recording software for macOS 10.12 Sierra.

Step 1. Launch QuickTime Player.

Step 2. Click “File” menu from the upper left corner of the screen. Then choose “New screen recording”. Then you will get a little pop-up box.

Step 3. Hit the recording button at the center of the pop-up box. Then click to record the full screen or drag to select a region to record.

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Note: If you want to record the audio, make sure that the microphone is enabled by clicking the drop-down beside the record button.

Step 4. To end the recording, look at the taskbar on top of the screen, and you will see the QuickTime menu bar from there. Click it to stop recording. Then a preview of your recording will pop up. Afterwards, you can rename the video, add tags, and change the folder to save it.

Movavi Screen Recorder

Movavi Screen Recorder is a screen recording software for macOS Sierra 10.12 that allows you to record activities on your Mac. Whether it’s a video call, live streaming video, gameplay and many more. Just like the other tools mentioned above, this is an app that you can consider for this can also schedule a task, edit your video by dividing or removing the unwanted parts, adding music and much more.

Here is a step by step procedure on how you can use this app on macOS Sierra.

Step 1. Launch the program, and select a region to resize the screen by clicking the capture area at the bottom left of the interface.

Screen Record Mac Os High Sierra Mac

Step 2. Click the “Rec”. Once this button is clicked, it will give three options that include “Cancel”, “Pause”, and “Stop”.

Screen Record Mac Os High Sierra Update

Step 3. Click the “Stop” button to stop the recording.

Icecream Screen Recorder

Icecream Screen Recorder is a video recording software for macOS Sierra that allows you to annotate real-time and draw to enhance the video while recording. One feature that is likable about this app is the “Project History” features where you can easily locate a specific video if you have recorded several videos.

Here is a guide on how to use it.

Step 1. Open the program on your Mac, check each tab from Systems, audio, and video tabs to make sure everything is properly configured.

Step 2. To get started, click the “Capture Video”, then select to custom area, record full screen, or even capture last area that you have recorded. Then click the “Rec” button to start recording.

Step 3. Once done, click the “Stop” button to stop the recording, and the recorded file will be saved automatically.

Conclusion

All applications mentioned above are all helpful apps for recording your screen to share important videos or memories. Each program has unique features that let them stand out. When it comes to features to maximize, some of them are competitive enough just like the ApowerREC and Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder. If necessary, try all of them out, and you will be amazed by some features provided by them.