Fix a Mac screenshot that won't save

Why it happens

Your Mac saves screenshots to one chosen folder. If that folder was deleted, renamed or moved, sits on a drive that's unplugged, or you aren't allowed to write to it, the screenshot has nowhere to go and your Mac says it can't be saved. Picking a folder that exists fixes it.

How to fix it

1. Press Shift-Command-5. The Screenshot toolbar appears near the bottom of the screen.

2. Click Options, then choose Desktop or Documents under Save to.

   Screenshot toolbar›Options›Save to

3. Press Escape to close the toolbar, then take a screenshot with Shift-Command-3 for the whole screen or Shift-Command-4 for part of it.

4. Check that folder. The file is named Screenshot followed by the date and time.

Still not fixed?

1. Screenshot seems to vanish with no error? Check Save to in Options. If it's set to Clipboard, or to an app such as Preview, Mail or Messages, no file is saved: the picture is waiting to be pasted, or opens in that app. Choose Desktop or another folder instead.

   Screenshot toolbar›Options›Save to

2. Want your own folder? In the same Save to list, choose Other Location… and pick a folder you can write to, such as one inside Documents. Avoid a folder on an external drive that isn't always plugged in.

3. A full disk stops screenshots saving too. Check how much space you have in Storage and free some up if it's nearly full.

   General›Storage

4. If the shortcuts do nothing at all, open Keyboard Shortcuts, click Screenshots and make sure they're ticked, or click Restore Defaults.

   Keyboard›Keyboard Shortcuts…›Screenshots

5. If screenshots still won't save even to the Desktop after a restart, contact Apple Support. The permissions on your user folders may need repairing, and they can guide you through it.