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.
Default VLC screenshot shortcuts vary by operating system. It won’t work if you use hotkeys that are not for your system. Check the list below to see which hotkey to use.
| 操作系统 | VLC Screenshot Hotkeys |
| 视窗 | Shift + S |
| 苹果系统 | Command + Option + S |
| Linux | Shift + S |
After the screenshots are taken, you can edit screenshots on Windows, Mac, and Linux if you need to.
2. Using the Video Menu
第1步点击 视频 option in the upper part of the VLC window.
第2步In the menu that pops up, find 拍摄快照 并点击它。
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.
第1步点击 看法 option in the upper part of the VLC window.
第2步In the menu that pops up, find 高级控制 and click on it to turn it on. A check mark before it means it has already been switched on.
第 3 步点击 相机 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 媒体播放器, the first step is to open 喜好.点击 工具 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:
| 视窗 | C:\Users\username\Pictures |
| 苹果电脑 | Desktop/ |
| Linux | ~/Pictures |
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. 单击 浏览 button, and find your new location in the folder. Don't forget to click 保存 when you're done.
2. Changing Snapshot Format
At the bottom of 喜好, there's a select box labeled 格式. 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.
这个 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 保存.
4. Customizing the Screenshot Hotkey
第1步Select the Hotkeys option and scroll to Take video snapshot.
- Since there are a whole lot of actions, to save time, you can also enter the single word "take" in the search box. Then the Take video snapshot action will show itself.
第2步Double-click the current VLC screenshot hotkey, and press the new keys you want.
VLC pops up an alert? Don’t fret, click Cancel, change a new hotkey, and everything’s okay.
第 3 步点击 保存.
Part 3. How to Take a Screenshot in VLC for Android
第1步Pause the video and tap the 三个点 在右下角。
第2步打开 Control Settings.
第 3 步Scroll to Take a screenshot and open it.
第四步Choose a way to take screenshots as you like.
第 5 步Go back to the video. If you've chosen Show the screen button, tap the button at the top left.
- Default save location: Internal storage > Pictures > Screenshots
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 喜好, then click the Input / Codecs tab. Find 硬件加速解码 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 格式.
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 屏幕录像 as an example, whose screenshot feature is powerful and easy to use.
安全下载
第1步Download the app and install it with the wizard.
第2步Launch the app.
第 3 步点击 相机 button in the upper right corner, or press 替代 + 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.
Now you are an expert on VLC media player screenshots. You can take snapshots on different operating systems with shortcuts, the Video menu or Advanced Controls on your PC, and with the button or the gesture on Android. You've also mastered how to customize your VLC screenshot settings and what to do when the VLC snapshot is not working: check the settings, or try third-party VLC 替代品, like AVAide Screen Recorder. Bookmark this article in case you have problems and need to reread it in the future.
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在您的计算机上录制屏幕、音频、网络摄像头、游戏、在线会议以及 iPhone/Android 屏幕。
