Troubleshooting a School Chromebook that Can't Take Screenshots

When using a school Chromebook, if you encounter issues taking screenshots and receive the error message prompting you to check your storage space, this guide will help you resolve the problem.

Check Storage Space

The first step is to ensure that your Chromebook has enough storage space. If the storage is full, it may not be able to save the screenshots. To check your storage space:

Click on the status area where your account picture is. Look at the storage details provided.

If you find that your storage is full, free up some space by deleting unnecessary files or documents.

Restart Your Chromebook

Another simple solution is to restart your device. Temporary issues can often be resolved by a simple restart.

To restart your Chromebook:

Click on the status area. Select the power icon and choose to restart.

Update Chrome OS

Make sure your Chromebook is running the latest version of Chrome OS to avoid compatibility issues. To update:

Go to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for updates. If an update is available, install it.

Clear Cache

Cleared cache can also help resolve certain issues. To clear your cache:

Open Google Chrome and type chrome://settings/clearBrowserData in the address bar.

Check Permissions and Policies

If your Chromebook is managed by your school, there may be policies in place that restrict screenshot functionality. Contact your school’s IT department to inquire if there are any policies affecting screenshot functionality.

Try Different Methods

If the aforementioned solutions do not resolve the issue, try different methods to take screenshots:

Full Screenshot

To capture a full screenshot:

Press Ctrl Show windows (the rectangle with two lines next to it).

Partial Screenshot

To capture a partial screenshot:

Press Ctrl Shift Show windows. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture.

Reset Settings

If the problem persists, you can reset your Chromebook settings:

Go to Settings > Advanced > Reset settings.

Powerwash Your Chromebook

As a last resort, you can perform a Powerwash, which resets your Chromebook to its factory settings. This will erase all local data, so make sure to back up any important files first. To powerwash:

Go to Settings > Advanced > Reset settings > Powerwash.

Remember to contact your school’s IT support team if you continue to experience issues after following these steps. They may have specific solutions for managed devices.