How To Screenshot On League Of Legends
For millions of players around the globe, League of Legends is more than just a game—it’s a world full of epic moments, creative strategies, and personal achievements. Sometimes, you want to save a record of a game-winning play, a rare bug, or even a funny chat exchange. That’s where screenshots come in handy. But taking a screenshot in League of Legends isn’t always as simple as pressing one button. Depending on your setup, goals, and the device you use, there are several methods and tips to capture the best possible image.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about taking screenshots in League of Legends—on Windows, Mac, and even with third-party tools. You’ll learn simple keyboard shortcuts, ways to improve screenshot quality, how to find your screenshots, and how to troubleshoot common problems.
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Check Price on Amazon As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Along the way, you’ll also discover tips most beginners miss and advice to keep your screenshots safe, organized, and useful.
Why Screenshot In League Of Legends?
Screenshots are more than just pictures. They’re proof of your skills, memories of your favorite moments, and tools for learning or sharing. Here’s why capturing images in League of Legends matters:
- Sharing Achievements: Show off a pentakill or a comeback victory to friends.
- Reporting Bugs or Toxicity: Provide evidence to game support when you encounter problems.
- Creating Guides: Use images to explain strategies, builds, or champion abilities.
- Memorable Moments: Save unique team fights, funny chat logs, or rare in-game events.
- Content Creation: Use screenshots for streaming, YouTube thumbnails, or social media.
These uses make learning how to screenshot in League of Legends a valuable skill for any player.
Built-in Screenshot Function In League Of Legends
League of Legends includes a built-in screenshot feature. This method is simple but not always perfect, especially if you want high-resolution images or specific parts of your screen. Still, it’s a good place to start.
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Check Price on Amazon As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.How It Works
- Default Shortcut: Press the F12 key during a match or in the client.
- Where Screenshots Go: The game saves screenshots to a special folder inside your League of Legends installation directory.
Finding Your Screenshots
Most players struggle to find the screenshots after capturing them. Here’s where you should look:
On Windows, the typical path is:
C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\Screenshots
Or, if you installed the game in a different place, check:
[Your Install Directory]\League of Legends\Screenshots
On Mac, go to:
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If you can’t find your screenshots, try searching your computer for “Screenshots” folders.
Changing The Screenshot Key
Some players want to use a different button. You can change your screenshot key in the game settings:
- Open League of Legends and log in.
- Go to Settings (the gear icon).
- Click on Hotkeys.
- Scroll down to the “Communication” section.
- Find the “Take a screenshot” option and change the key to your preference.
Pros And Cons Of The Built-in Method
Here’s a quick comparison of the built-in method versus other options:
| Feature | Built-in (F12) | External Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Very easy | Depends on tool |
| Image Quality | Good, but not always highest | Can be higher |
| Custom Area Capture | No (full screen only) | Yes (with many tools) |
| File Location | Hidden/Deep folder | Easy to choose |
| Editing/Annotation | No | Yes (some tools) |
Taking Screenshots With Windows Tools
Windows offers several ways to capture your screen, each with different strengths. Let’s look at the main options and when you might want to use them.
Print Screen (prtscn) Key
Pressing the Print Screen key copies your entire screen to the clipboard. From here, you can paste it into programs like Paint, Word, or Discord.
- How to Use:
- During your game, press PrtScn on your keyboard.
- Open an image editor (like Paint).
- Press Ctrl + V to paste.
- Save your file.
- Note: If you play League of Legends in fullscreen mode, the screenshot will capture the whole screen, including other monitors if you use multiple displays.
Alt + Print Screen
Pressing Alt + PrtScn captures only the currently active window. This is useful if you play in windowed mode.
Snipping Tool And Snip & Sketch
These built-in Windows apps let you select a specific area of your screen. You can find them by searching for “Snipping Tool” or “Snip & Sketch” in the Start menu.
- How to Use Snipping Tool:
- Open Snipping Tool before your game.
- Choose “New” and select your desired area.
- Save the image.
- Limitations: These tools sometimes don’t work over fullscreen games. If League of Legends is running in fullscreen, you may need to switch to borderless or windowed mode.
Game Bar (windows + G)
Windows 10 and 11 include the Xbox Game Bar for taking screenshots in games.
- Shortcut: Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar overlay.
- Screenshot: Click the camera icon or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn.
The screenshots are saved to:
C:\Users\[YourName]\Videos\Captures
When To Use Each Method
| Method | Best For | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| F12 (Built-in) | Quick, in-game shots | Full screen only, no editing |
| Print Screen | Simple copying | Manual saving, clipboard only |
| Snipping Tool | Capturing areas | Doesn’t always work in fullscreen |
| Game Bar | Gaming screenshots, videos | May use extra resources |
Taking Screenshots On Mac
Mac users have their own set of powerful screenshot shortcuts, but League of Legends runs a bit differently on Mac. Here’s what you need to know:
System Shortcuts
- Capture Full Screen: Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 3
- Capture Selected Area: Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then drag your mouse to select.
- Capture Window: Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then tap the spacebar, and click on the window.
By default, screenshots are saved to your desktop with names like “Screen Shot 2024-05-30 at 12. 00. 00. png”.
Compatibility Note
League of Legends on Mac sometimes runs in a “wrapper” or different engine. If system shortcuts don’t work:
- Try running the game in windowed or borderless mode.
- Use the built-in F12 method if available.
Third-party Tools For Mac
Apps like Lightshot, Monosnap, or Skitch offer more features, such as editing or cloud uploading. These can be useful if you want to annotate or organize screenshots.
Using Third-party Screenshot Tools
If you want more control, higher quality, or extra features, third-party tools are a great option. Some popular choices for League of Legends include:
- Lightshot: Simple, fast, lets you edit and upload screenshots.
- ShareX: Advanced, customizable, supports GIFs, hotkeys, and more.
- Greenshot: Lightweight, good for quick notes or arrows.
- Gyazo: Great for instant sharing and short video clips.
- NVIDIA GeForce Experience: For players with NVIDIA GPUs, allows high-quality screenshots and instant replays.
How To Use Lightshot (example)
- Download and install Lightshot.
- Press the Lightshot shortcut (usually PrtScn).
- Select the area you want to capture.
- Edit, annotate, or upload your image instantly.
Key Advantages
- Custom Area Selection: Capture only what you want.
- Editing: Draw, highlight, or blur parts of your screenshot.
- Automatic Saving: Choose your own folder.
- Quick Sharing: Upload directly or copy a link.
Important Note
Some third-party tools may not work in exclusive fullscreen mode. If your tool isn’t capturing League of Legends, switch your game to borderless windowed.
Best Practices For High-quality Screenshots
Not all screenshots are equal. If you want your images to look sharp and professional, follow these tips:
- Set League of Legends to High Resolution: Go to Video settings and increase the resolution before taking important screenshots.
- Use Borderless Windowed Mode: This makes it easier to use external tools and avoids black screens in screenshots.
- Clean Up the Interface: Press Ctrl + F to hide FPS, or disable the chat box in settings if you want a clean image.
- Use PNG Format: PNG files are lossless and keep details clear, unlike JPGs which can add blur.
- Save Your Screenshots in Organized Folders: Create folders by date, champion, or event to keep your collection neat.
Advanced Tip: Hiding The Hud
For content creators, hiding the HUD (heads-up display) can make your images more cinematic.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + F12 (customizable in some tools) or use the in-game option: Settings > Interface > HUD Scale: 0%. Remember to reset it when you’re done!
Organizing And Managing Your Screenshots
Screenshots pile up quickly. Here’s how to manage them so you never lose a great moment:
- Rename Key Screenshots: Use descriptive names like “2024-06-01_Pentakill_MidLane.png”.
- Use Cloud Storage: Upload important screenshots to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive for backup.
- Delete Unnecessary Images: Every few weeks, clean out blurry, accidental, or duplicate screenshots.
- Tag or Sort by Champion/Event: This helps when you want to find a specific game or moment.
Troubleshooting Common Screenshot Problems
Even experienced players sometimes run into issues. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:
Screenshots Are All Black
- Cause: League of Legends is running in exclusive fullscreen mode, and your tool can’t capture the screen.
- Fix: Switch to borderless windowed mode in the Video settings.
Screenshots Are Missing
- Cause: You don’t know where your screenshots are being saved.
- Fix: Double-check the paths mentioned above, or do a file search for recently created PNG or JPG files.
Hotkey Not Working
- Cause: Another program is using the same key, or Windows is blocking the shortcut.
- Fix: Change the screenshot hotkey in League or in your third-party tool settings.
Game Lag When Taking Screenshots
- Cause: Some tools use extra system resources.
- Fix: Use lighter tools like Lightshot or built-in methods instead of heavy programs.
Screenshot Quality Is Low
- Cause: Image is being saved as JPG, or game is running at low resolution.
- Fix: Change the image format to PNG and increase the game resolution.
Practical Use Cases: Real Examples
To see how screenshots help in real League of Legends play, here are some real-world situations:
Reporting Toxic Behavior
Suppose a player is harassing others in chat. Press F12 to capture the evidence, then attach it to your support ticket. Screenshots make your report stronger and more credible.
Building A Guide
If you want to explain a jungle path or ward location, take screenshots at each stage. Use editing tools to add arrows and notes.
Celebrating Achievements
Did you just reach Diamond rank? Capture your promotion screen and share it on social media or with your friends.
Creating Memes
Funny chat moments or weird bugs? Screenshots are perfect for creating memes or inside jokes with your community.
Security And Privacy Tips
Screenshots can reveal more than you intend. Here’s how to stay safe:
- Blur Sensitive Information: Use editing tools to hide your username, email, or other private details before sharing.
- Don’t Share Chat Without Consent: Other players might not want their messages posted online.
- Check Background Apps: Make sure no private messages from other apps are visible in your screenshot.
Pro Tips Most Beginners Miss
- Capture at the Right Moment: Some moments happen fast. Practice your shortcut so you don’t miss a great play.
- Use Instant Replay Tools: NVIDIA’s Instant Replay or Windows Game Bar can capture video clips, letting you extract screenshots after the fact.
- Batch Rename Tools: If you take many screenshots, tools like Bulk Rename Utility help you organize quickly.
- Double-Check File Size: High-quality PNGs are large. If you want to share online, resize or compress them to avoid slow uploads.
Legal And Community Guidelines
Riot Games allows players to take and share screenshots for personal use, guides, and social media. However, you should avoid:
- Using screenshots for commercial purposes without permission.
- Sharing screenshots that include hate speech or personal attacks.
- Violating privacy by posting sensitive information.
You can read more about community guidelines on the official Riot Games Support page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Change The Screenshot Folder In League Of Legends?
By default, League of Legends saves screenshots in the “Screenshots” folder inside your game directory. If you want to change this, you’ll need to use a third-party tool like Lightshot or ShareX, which lets you set a custom save location.
Why Are My Screenshots Coming Out Blank Or Black?
This usually happens when you’re playing in exclusive fullscreen mode. Many screenshot tools can’t capture exclusive fullscreen games. Switch League of Legends to borderless windowed mode to fix this issue.
Can I Take Screenshots During Champion Select Or In The Game Client?
Yes! The built-in F12 method works in champion select and the game client, not just during matches. You can also use Windows or Mac screenshot shortcuts in these screens.
What’s The Best Format For Sharing Screenshots Online?
PNG is the best format for quality, but the file size can be large. If you need a smaller file, convert to JPG using an image editor, but note that quality might drop a bit.
Are Screenshots Allowed In Esports Tournaments Or Official Matches?
Most tournaments allow players to take screenshots for reporting bugs or results, but always check the event’s rules first. Some events may restrict external software or screenshots for security reasons.
Taking screenshots in League of Legends can be as simple or advanced as you need. Whether you’re capturing a single funny moment or building a guide for thousands, the right tools and techniques will make your images stand out. With these strategies, you’ll never miss a highlight—and you’ll always know where to find it.
