Netflix uses copyright protection to block screenshots you take. It prevents unauthorized copying or sharing of their shows and movies. So, when you try to do a Netflix screen capture, you only see a black screen.
If you are looking for a workaround, this guide will show you effective ways to screenshot Netflix. Whether you’re on a computer, phone, or tablet, there’s a method you could try. Keep reading to learn how to screenshot Netflix without a black screen, starting with a free and easy option for Windows users.
Overview of 6 Best Ways To Screenshot Netflix on Any Devices
This table compares ways to screenshot Netflix across devices.
Methods | OS | Easy of use | Pros | Cons |
Snipping Tool | Windows | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Built-in tool and free | Requires a few steps to launch and capture |
Keyboard Shortcut | Mac | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Built-in functionality, fast | Limited editing options |
DemoCreator | Windows and Mac | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Can screen record Netflix video and audio without a black screen, can capture multiple screenshots within the app, available in free version | Requires installation, needs a subscription for more features |
FireShot web extension | Chrome | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Easy to use after installation, captures full webpages or portions | Requires installation of a browser extension; may not work with all browsers |
Disable Hardware Acceleration | Windows | ⭐⭐⭐ | May resolve compatibility issues that prevent screenshots | Can impact the performance of Netflix and other graphics-intensive applications |
Using Extra Smartphones | Android/iOS | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Fast and free | Lower image quality |
In this article
Method 1: Use Snipping Tool on Windows To Screenshot Netflix
The Snipping tool is a built-in program on Windows PCs that allows you to capture screenshots of your screen. It’s a great option for grabbing images from Netflix when you’re watching it in a Chrome web browser.
This method is best for Netflix viewers on Windows who prefer a free, built-in solution for capturing web-based content.
Here’s how to take a screenshot of Netflix without a black screen using the Snipping Tool:
Step 1: Open Netflix in a Google Chrome web browser and navigate to the scene you want to capture.
Step 2: Search for Snipping Tool in the Windows search bar and launch the program.
Step 3: In the Snipping Tool pop-up window, click + New to screenshot Netflix movies or show clips.
Step 4: Click and drag your cursor to select the area you want to capture on the screen.
Step 5: Once you’ve selected the area, the screenshot will be in the Snipping Tool pop-up window. Save it on your desktop or edit it further using Paint.
Limitations:
- This method only works for screenshotting Netflix on the web. It won’t work for the Netflix desktop app.
- You can only capture one screenshot at a time.
Method 2. Use Mac Keyboard Shortcut for Taking Screenshots on Netflix
Using keyboard shortcuts is the quickest way to grab a picture of the movie you’re watching on a Mac computer. Here’s how to screenshot on Netflix using Mac’s native screen capture tool:
Step 1: Open Netflix in the Safari web browser.
Step 2: Navigate to the scene you want to capture in your chosen movie or show.
Step 3: Here are the keyboard shortcuts you can use:
- Full Screenshot: Hold and press Shift + Command + 3. It will capture your entire screen, including the Netflix window and anything else that’s open.
- Partial Screenshot: Hold and press Shift + Command + 4. It will bring up a crosshair cursor. Click and drag the cursor to select the specific area you want to screenshot, like the Netflix video playing.
Limitations:
In some instances, Netflix’s copy protection might still cause a black screen in your screenshot. This doesn’t always happen, but be aware of this possibility. Also, Netflix might prevent screenshots altogether, especially on older macOS versions.
Method 3. Use DemoCreator To Screenshot Netflix (Windows and Mac PC)
This is a good alternative if you need to capture a specific moment while watching or want more flexibility. Screen recording software like Wondershare DemoCreator can capture both video and audio. Then, you can easily grab Netflix screenshots later, all without switching programs. It can also bypass Netflix’s black screen restrictions.
This method is best for users who want an efficient way to capture multiple screenshots from Netflix video recordings.
Here’s how to screenshot Netflix without black screen on a Windows PC:
Step 1: Download and install Wondershare DemoCreator on your computer.
Step 2: Open the app and go to Video Recorder > Screen from the Home page.
Step 3: Open Netflix on Google Chrome web browser and play the video to capture.
Step 4: Click REC on the floating toolbar to start recording Netflix.
Step 5: Once you’ve captured the scene, stop the recording from the floating toolbar.
Step 6: Edit the video recording and click the camera icon (SnapShot) to grab a screenshot of the desired Netflix frame within DemoCreator.
Step 7: Click Open Local File to see the screenshot of the Netflix movie. Otherwise, browse your desktop’s local storage.
Limitations
While this screen recording software is a powerful tool for Windows and Mac users, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- It can only screenshot Netflix movies or shows that are playing on the web.
- The free versions of DemoCreator have a 10-minute limitation on recording time. For Netflix’s unlimited screen recording, you need a subscription.
Method 4. Use FireShot Web Extension for Netflix Screen Capture
FireShot Web Extension is a free add-on for your web browser that lets you take screenshots in various ways. It’s a versatile tool that can capture entire web pages, specific areas, or even scrolling content.
Here’s how to take screenshots on Netflix with FireShot:
Step 1: Head over to the Google Chrome web store and search for FireShot. Then, click Add to Chrome to add the extension.
Step 2: Play the Netflix video from the browser and pause it when you want to capture it.
Step 3: Click the Extensions icon on the top-right corner of the window, then select FireShot.
Step 4: Select the Capture visible part from the list of options in the top-right.
Step 5: FireShot will process the capture and display it in a new tab, then click Save as Image under the Actions sections on the right.
Limitation
While FireShot is a good solution, it’s important to be aware of this limitation. Due to the app’s copyright protection, Netflix screenshots might occasionally capture a slightly blurry version of the scene. However, it’s usually clear enough to make out the details.
Method 5. Disable Hardware Acceleration
If you can’t screenshot Netflix using the previous methods, try to turn off the hardware acceleration on your device.
Hardware acceleration is a feature that uses your computer’s graphics card to improve task performance, including video playback. However, it can sometimes conflict with screenshotting DRM-protected content. Follow these steps and see if it can help screenshot Netflix on Windows 11:
Step 1: Open the web browser and go to “chrome://settings/system”.
Step 2: Turn off the Use graphics acceleration when available toggle button.
Step 3: Click Relaunch to restart Google Chrome. Open Netflix on the web and take a screenshot without a black screen using the keyboard shortcut PRT SC.
Limitations
While disabling hardware acceleration can help with screenshots, it’s there are still potential downsides:
- It can make video playback less smooth, especially on older computers.
- This method might not work for all users or browsers.
Method 6: Screenshot Netflix iPhone/Android
Unfortunately, taking a screenshot directly through Netflix on Android or iPhone is no longer possible in 2024. But there are some workarounds.
How To Screenshot Netflix on iPhone?
While iPhones allow screenshots normally, the Netflix mobile app uses security measures to prevent users from capturing content. So, if you try to take a Netflix screenshot on an iPhone, you might end up with a black screen instead of the image you wanted.
There is a workaround: taking a photo of the screen using another device.
Here’s what you can do:
Step 1: Grab another camera. It could be a friend’s phone, a tablet, or a digital camera.
Step 2: Line up the camera’s lens with the iPhone screen, making sure the Netflix scene you want to capture is in the frame.
Step 3: Take a picture on the other device.
The quality of the captured image won’t be as good as a direct screenshot because you’re taking a picture of a picture. But it can still be a handy option if you need to take a screenshot of that Netflix scene.
How To Take Screenshots on Netflix Android?
Downloading third-party apps for Android devices to bypass Netflix’s security measures is not recommended. These apps may not be reliable and could contain malware or viruses. Some apps like XRecorder, which may have worked in the past, no longer function for this purpose. These third-party apps also have intrusive ads.
While there is no direct way to screenshot Netflix content on your Android phones, you can consider alternative solutions:
- If it’s a scene from a popular movie or TV show, you might be able to find a screenshot or image online through a search engine.
- If you need an image from Netflix, you can try using a separate camera to take a picture of your phone or tablet screen while the content is playing. Keep in mind the quality may not be the best.
- Record customized screens with audio and edit them in different tracks.
- Capture gaming videos, tutorials, and presentations and then edit them in one tool.
- Built-in unlimited editing templates, special effects, and other sources.
- Supported export to MP4, MOV, MKV, GIF, and other formats.
Conclusion
While there are several ways to screenshot Netflix on different devices, they may not always work all the time. This is because Netflix uses copyright protection to prevent content from being captured.
For a beginner-friendly solution, consider using Wondershare DemoCreator. It lets you screenshot Netflix without a black screen and record your screen to capture longer moments. Try the free version and see for yourself.
FAQ
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Why Can’t You Screenshot Netflix?
Netflix uses Digital Rights Management (DRM) to protect its shows and movie content. So, when you try to screenshot Netflix, it blocks the image to avoid copyright infringement. -
Can Netflix Detect Screen Capture?
Netflix uses technology to detect screen-capturing attempts. It might explain why you see a black screen instead of the scene you wanted. -
Is Screenshotting Netflix Legal?
Taking a Netflix screenshot for personal use, like sharing with a friend, is generally considered okay. However, distributing screenshots or using them for commercial purposes goes against copyright laws. -
Why Do My Netflix Screenshots Turn Black?
Netflix uses encryption to prevent capturing content. If you try to screenshot Netflix, you can only see the subtitles, but you will get a black screen.