Why isn't my prtsc/sysrq button not working?

Question

I've been trying to take screenshots for awhile but the button just won't register. When I try and go paste the image somewhere it doesn't even bring up the paste option. What do you think is the problem?

Answer 1

Is that a double negative meaning that your prtsc/sysrq button actually is working and this is a trick question!?

If not then my suggestion would be to try doing a screenshot with the print screen (prtsc) button and then open Microsoft Paint and try pasting it into there.  If that works then the program you were trying to paste it into isn't accepting graphics and answerers would need more info (like what you are trying to do with the screenshot / where you are trying to paste it) to be able to help you further.

If you have already tried that and it didn't work (pasting it into Microsoft Paint) then I am not sure what would cause it to not work.  You might need to install a third party screen shot program to get them.  I'm not sure of any free stand alone screen shot programs so you would have to start another question (unless someone else reading this knows).

Personally, I usually use the Gimp (free program similar to photoshop) to get my screen shots (google it)

I will check back on this question later, possibly tomorrow, just in case you supply some more details. Maybe then I can better assist you.

Answer 2

What buttons are you pressing? just press the Prt Scr button once on its own.

Answer 3

Are you pressing and holding alt while you're hitting prt scr? if you don't, it won't work.