Most LG tablets capture the screen when you press Power and Volume Down together, and many models also offer Capture+ for notes and crops.
Taking a screenshot on an LG tablet is usually simple once you know which method your model supports. On most LG tablets, the standard shortcut is the same one used on many Android devices: press the Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time. If you get the timing right, the screen flashes, the image saves, and a small preview shows up for a moment.
That said, LG tablets can feel a bit different from other Android tablets. Some models include Capture+, which lets you write on the screen grab right away. Some older models use on-screen shortcuts. And if the tablet is in a thick case, the hardware-button method can feel fiddly until you get used to it.
This article walks through the methods that work, what to do when the buttons fail, where your screenshots are stored, and how to edit or share them without wasting time.
How to Screenshot on LG Tablet With Buttons
The fastest method on an LG tablet is the hardware shortcut. Open the screen you want to save, then press the Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Hold them for about a second, then let go.
If the screenshot works, you’ll usually see a quick flash, hear a shutter sound if system sounds are on, or spot a small thumbnail preview near the edge of the screen. The file is then saved to your tablet’s photo gallery or screenshots folder.
The part that trips most people up is timing. If you press one button before the other, the tablet may lower the volume or turn the screen off instead of taking the shot. A light, even press on both buttons works better than holding one and then adding the second.
Button method step by step
- Open the app, page, photo, or message you want to capture.
- Place a finger on Power and another on Volume Down.
- Press both at the same time.
- Release after the screen flashes.
- Tap the preview if you want to crop, mark up, or share it right away.
Google’s official Android screenshot instructions describe this same button combo for Android devices, and it matches how most LG tablets handle a standard screen capture.
Other ways An LG Tablet May Capture The Screen
LG added a few extras to some tablets, which is handy if the buttons are awkward or worn. The most useful one is Capture+, a built-in tool that lets you snap the current screen and start writing on it right away.
On some LG tablets, you can open the notification shade and tap the Capture+ icon. That grabs the current screen and opens a markup view. From there, you can write, crop, or save the result to Gallery or QuickMemo+.
Some LG models also let you launch Capture+ with a shortcut when the screen is off. In one LG tablet user guide, LG notes that pressing the Volume Up key twice can launch Capture+, while pressing Volume Down twice can open the camera. That shortcut won’t appear on every tablet, though it’s worth checking if your device includes it.
When Capture+ is the better pick
Capture+ is handy when you don’t just want a plain image. If you need to circle a line in a settings menu, crop out private details, or jot a note before sending the image to someone else, it saves a step. You don’t need to take the screenshot first and then hunt for an editor.
LG’s Capture+ instructions in its user guide show that the tool can save annotated captures to QuickMemo+ or Gallery, which is why many LG users like it better than the plain button method.
| Method | How It Works | Best Time To Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Power + Volume Down | Press both buttons together for a standard screenshot | Fast captures of pages, messages, photos, or settings screens |
| Capture+ From Notification Shade | Swipe down, tap Capture+, then save or mark up the screen | When you want to write, crop, or share right away |
| Capture+ Shortcut | On some models, press Volume Up twice while the screen is off | When hardware shortcuts are easier than opening menus |
| Preview Toolbar | Tap the screenshot preview after capture to edit or share | Quick trimming before sending the image |
| Gallery App | Open the saved image later and edit it there | When you skipped editing during the first capture |
| Case-Free Retry | Remove a thick case and retry the button combo | If buttons feel stiff or the shortcut keeps missing |
| On-Screen Controls | Some software versions surface extra screenshot controls | Useful when buttons are damaged or hard to press |
| Partial Crop After Capture | Take a full screenshot, then trim it to the needed area | Cleaner screenshots for work, school, or setup guides |
Why your LG tablet screenshot may not work
If your LG tablet refuses to take a screenshot, the tablet usually isn’t broken. The problem is often the timing, the app you’re in, or a case that makes the buttons hard to press cleanly.
Common causes
The buttons weren’t pressed together. This is the top reason. If Volume Down registers first, the sound bar appears. If Power registers first, the screen may lock.
You held the buttons too long. A long press can trigger the power menu instead of a screenshot. Try a shorter press.
The case blocks the keys. Rugged cases can soften the click or shift your finger position just enough to break the shortcut.
The app blocks screen capture. Banking apps, some streaming apps, and a few secure work apps may block screenshots on purpose. In that case, the tablet may show a message or save a black image.
The tablet is low on storage. If internal storage is nearly full, new screenshots may fail to save.
How to fix it fast
- Retry the button combo with a lighter, shorter press.
- Take the case off and test again.
- Restart the tablet, then try once more.
- Check storage in Settings and clear space if needed.
- Test the shortcut on the home screen to rule out an app-level block.
If the screenshot works on the home screen but not inside one app, the app is likely blocking capture. If it fails everywhere, you’re dealing with a settings issue, storage issue, or a button problem.
Where screenshots are saved on an LG tablet
Once the capture is done, your LG tablet usually saves it in Gallery under a Screenshots album or inside a folder with a similar name. Some models also let Capture+ saves appear inside QuickMemo+ when you choose that route.
If you can’t find the image, open Gallery first. If it isn’t there, check your Files app and look for folders named Pictures, Screenshots, or DCIM. The exact path can vary a bit by Android version and LG software skin.
On newer Android setups, the preview thumbnail after a screenshot also gives you a direct path to the file. Tap it before it disappears, and you can edit or share the image without opening another app.
How to edit a screenshot after you take it
A screenshot is more useful when it’s trimmed to the part that matters. If you captured the whole display but only need one setting, one line of text, or one image, crop it before sending it anywhere. It looks cleaner and makes the point faster.
Most LG tablets let you tap the screenshot preview and choose edit tools right away. If you missed the preview, open the screenshot from Gallery and use the built-in edit controls. On models with Capture+, you can write on the image before you save it.
Edits worth making
- Crop out status icons, clutter, or private messages.
- Circle the part someone needs to notice.
- Blur or cut out names, email addresses, or account numbers.
- Rotate the image if the screen was captured in an odd orientation.
| Task | Best Tool On LG Tablet | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Save a plain screen grab | Power + Volume Down | Fast full-screen image |
| Write on the capture | Capture+ | Notes, arrows, circles, or pen marks |
| Trim the image | Preview editor or Gallery editor | Tighter, cleaner screenshot |
| Send it right away | Preview share button | Quick share to mail, chat, or cloud apps |
| Store it for later | Gallery or Files app | Easy access for future use |
How to Screenshot on LG Tablet For Different Situations
The method is the same, though the way you use the screenshot can change with the job in front of you. If you’re saving a webpage, wait for the page to finish loading so icons and text are sharp. If you’re saving a video frame, pause first so motion blur doesn’t ruin the image.
For app errors or setup help, capture the full screen first. Full-screen shots make it easier for someone else to see the exact menu, toggle, or warning message. You can crop the image after that if you want a cleaner version.
For receipts, chat messages, or personal account pages, take a second before sharing. Many people forget that the screenshot can show battery level, Wi-Fi name, message previews, browser tabs, or bits of private data near the top of the screen.
Best habits for cleaner screenshots
- Turn the tablet to the orientation that shows the content best.
- Raise brightness a bit if the screen looks dim.
- Close pop-ups before capturing.
- Crop out anything that doesn’t help the reader.
- Use Capture+ when you need arrows or notes on the image.
What to do if your Power button or Volume button is worn out
Older LG tablets can still work fine, though the physical buttons may feel mushy after years of use. If that’s your situation, start with Capture+ from the notification panel if your model has it. That can spare you from fighting with the hardware keys every time.
You can also check your tablet’s quick settings area for any screen-capture shortcut. Software layouts vary by model and Android version, so one LG tablet may show it clearly while another hides it under a second swipe. If you don’t see it, edit the quick settings tiles and look for Capture+.
If neither route helps and the buttons fail in other jobs too, such as changing volume or locking the screen, the issue is likely physical rather than software-based. At that point, relying on on-screen tools is the better move.
A few mistakes people make on their first try
Plenty of users press Power and Home together out of habit. That worked on some older phones from other brands, though it isn’t the standard shortcut on LG tablets. Another common miss is pressing Power and Volume Up instead of Volume Down.
People also tend to keep holding the keys because they expect a delay. LG tablets usually react fast. A short, clean press is enough. Once you get the feel, it becomes second nature.
If you only need one thing from this article, it’s this: start with Power and Volume Down, then switch to Capture+ if you want notes or the buttons are a pain.
References & Sources
- Google Android Help.“Take a Screenshot or Record Your Screen on Your Android Device.”Confirms the standard Android button method of pressing Power and Volume Down together to capture the screen.
- LG Electronics.“LG V521 User Guide.”Shows LG’s Capture+ feature, notes that captures can be saved to QuickMemo+ or Gallery, and lists a Volume Up shortcut for Capture+ on a supported tablet.
