How to Take Screenshots in VLC on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android

Wondering how to take screenshots in VLC when you watch videos? If so, here's a complete step-by-step guide for you to achieve this with the built-in features in VLC, which means you don't have to install any other programs. You can capture screenshots on various PC systems and Android mobile phones, as well as customize screenshot settings, with only a few simple clicks.

Part 1. How to Take a VLC Screenshot on PC

I have tested 3 effective ways to take screenshots in VLC 3.0.23.

1. Using VLC Screenshot Shortcuts

You can take screenshots in VLC by simply pressing the shortcut keys.

After the screenshots are taken, you can edit screenshots on Windows, Mac, and Linux if you need to.

2. Using the Video Menu

Step 1Click on the Video option in the upper part of the VLC window.

Step 2In the menu that pops up, find Take Snapshot and click on it.

With a click, a screenshot of the current screen is immediately taken and automatically saved. You will see a thumbnail and the save location at the top left, so you know where to find it later.

3. Using Advanced Controls

It has been difficult for me to remember hotkeys, and clicking on the Video menu every time is too much for me, so I use Advanced Controls to simplify the process once and for all.

Step 1Click on the View option in the upper part of the VLC window.

Step 2In the menu that pops up, find Advanced Controls and click on it to turn it on. A check mark before it means it has already been switched on.

Step 3Click on the Camera button at the bottom left.

As long as Advanced Controls is on, we can always take screenshots with a single click on the camera icon.

Part 2. Customizing VLC Screenshot Settings

To change the screenshot settings on VLC Media Player, the first step is to open Preferences. Click on the Tools option in the upper part, and then select the last option on the menu. You can also press Ctrl + P to do the same thing.

What you'll see is as follows:

1. Changing the Snapshot Save Location

The default save locations of VLC screenshots are like this:

If you want to change the location, select the Video option, and at the bottom, you'll find a group of input boxes titled Video snapshots. That's where we do the tricks.

Two ways to change the save location:

1. Type the new location in the Directory input box.

2. Click the Browse button, and find your new location in the folder. Don't forget to click Save when you're done.

2. Changing Snapshot Format

At the bottom of Preferences, there's a select box labeled Format. Click on the box and choose your preferred format from PNG, JPG, and TIFF.

3. Changing the Snapshot Filename Prefix

A filename prefix is automatically added at the beginning of a screenshot's filename. For example, with the default prefix being vlcsnap_, your screenshots' filenames will look like this: vlcsnap_00001.png.

The Prefix setting is located right between Directory and Format. If you don't like the default prefix, just delete it from the input box, enter a new one, and click Save.

4. Customizing the Screenshot Hotkey

Step 1Select the Hotkeys option and scroll to Take video snapshot.

Step 2Double-click the current VLC screenshot hotkey, and press the new keys you want.

Step 3Click Save.

Part 3. How to Take a Screenshot in VLC for Android

Step 1Pause the video and tap the three dots at the bottom-right corner.

Step 2Open the Control Settings.

Step 3Scroll to Take a screenshot and open it.

Step 4Choose a way to take screenshots as you like.

Step 5Go back to the video. If you've chosen Show the screen button, tap the button at the top left.

Part 4. VLC Snapshot Not Working

Fix 1: Disable Hardware Acceleration

Sometimes, hardware acceleration can conflict with certain graphics drivers, causing VLC to fail when capturing snapshots.

To solve this, open Preferences, then click the Input / Codecs tab. Find Hardware-accelerated decoding and set it to Disable.

Fix 2: Change Snapshot Format

It's also possible that the current image format may not be saving correctly. Open the Video tab and choose another Format.

Fix 3: Verify Snapshot Destination is Valid

VLC cannot save screenshots if the destination folder is missing, read-only, or lacks the necessary permissions. So, check the Directory. If it points to an invalid location, select another folder instead.

Fix 4: Restart VLC After Settings Changes

Some changes don't take effect immediately. After changing settings, close VLC completely and restart it, to make sure the new configuration is loaded successfully.

Fix 5: Use a VLC Alternative

When none of the above solutions work, you can still take screenshots with an alternative program like Snipping Tool, ShareX, OBS Studio, and AVAide Screen Recorder.

Take AVAide Screen Recorder as an example, whose screenshot feature is powerful and easy to use.

Step 1Download the app and install it with the wizard.

Step 2Launch the app.

Step 3Click the camera button in the upper right corner, or press Alt + C, to capture anything on your screen.

If you need to take a scrolling screenshot or capture a pop-up menu, click the downward arrow beside the camera button.

By Aisha Johnson on Jun 24, 2026