Snagit error not enough disk space​

Snagit is a powerful and versatile tool that allows users to capture, edit, and share screenshots and videos effortlessly. However, as with any software, it may occasionally encounter issues that disrupt your workflow. One of the more common errors Snagit users face is the “Not Enough Disk Space” error, which prevents them from saving their captures. While this can be frustrating, it’s usually caused by a simple lack of storage or an issue with Snagit’s settings.

Insufficient Disk Space: Your computer simply doesn’t have enough free space to save new captures.

Temporary Files: Snagit stores temporary files and cache during the editing and capturing process. If these files accumulate and are not cleared, they can take up a significant amount of space.

Default Save Location: Snagit may default to a storage location with limited available space.

Disk Fragmentation: Although less of a concern with solid-state drives (SSDs), fragmentation on older mechanical hard drives can still lead to storage inefficiencies.

When you encounter this error, the first step is to check how much free space is left on your drive. If you are low on space, the problem is relatively easy to fix.

Common Causes of the “Not Enough Disk Space” Error

Insufficient System Storage

This is the most common cause of the error. If your system is running low on disk space, Snagit won’t be able to save new captures or recordings. To check for available space, open the file explorer and check the properties of the drive where Snagit saves its captures.

Snagit’s Default Storage Location

By default, Snagit saves captures to the system drive, which is often the C: drive. If this drive is nearly full, Snagit may not be able to save new files. Changing the default save location is an easy fix.

Accumulation of Temporary Files

During use, Snagit creates temporary files and cache data, which can take up a significant amount of space over time. If these files are not cleared regularly, they can accumulate and cause storage issues.

Third-Party Software Interference

In some cases, other software running on your system may be consuming storage resources or interfering with Snagit’s ability to save files. Antivirus programs or other disk-intensive applications could be using up available space without you realizing it.

Solutions to Fix the “Not Enough Disk Space” Error

Solution 1: Free Up Disk Space on Your Computer

The first and simplest step is to check how much free space is left on your computer. If your system is running low on storage, here’s how to free up space:

Use Disk Cleanup (Windows):

Windows includes a built-in tool called Disk Cleanup. To use it:

Open the Start menu and search for “Disk Cleanup.”

Select the drive you want to clean (usually the C: drive).

Click “OK” and then select the types of files you want to delete (temporary files, system files, etc.).

Click “Clean up system files” and confirm your choice.

Empty the Recycle Bin:

Files in your Recycle Bin still count toward your disk usage. Make sure to empty it regularly to reclaim space.

Delete Unnecessary Files:

You can manually delete large files that you no longer need. Look for old videos, downloads, and documents that are taking up space.

Uninstall Unused Programs:

If you have programs installed that you no longer use, consider uninstalling them to free up space. This can be done through the “Add or Remove Programs” feature in the Control Panel.

Use a Third-Party Disk Cleaner:

Programs like CCleaner can scan your system for junk files, temporary files, and unnecessary system data that can be safely removed to free up space.

Solution 2: Change Snagit’s Default Save Location

If Snagit is attempting to save files to a drive that’s running low on space, you can change the default save location. To do this:

Open Snagit.

Go to the “Preferences” menu (usually found under the File or Edit menu).

Under the “Output” section, find the “Save As” option.

Change the default folder to a different drive or location with more space, such as an external drive or cloud storage.

This simple change will ensure that Snagit captures are saved to a more suitable location.

Solution 3: Clear Snagit’s Cache and Temporary Files

Snagit uses temporary files and cache data during the capturing and editing process. Over time, these files can accumulate and take up a significant amount of space. Here’s how to clear them:

Clear Cache:

In Snagit, go to Preferences > Advanced.

Look for an option to clear or reset the cache. This will remove temporary files that Snagit no longer needs.

Delete Temporary Files Manually:

Snagit stores temporary files in a specific folder. You can navigate to this folder and manually delete old files.

On Windows, this folder is typically located in the AppData directory. You can access it by typing %appdata%\TechSmith\Snagit in the address bar of File Explorer.

On macOS, navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/TechSmith/Snagit.

By regularly cleaning these files, you can prevent Snagit from running out of space due to excess cache and temporary data.

Solution 4: Increase Virtual Memory

Virtual memory is a feature that allows your system to use hard drive space as if it were RAM. If you’re running out of space in your physical memory (RAM), increasing virtual memory may help alleviate the problem. Here’s how to do it:

On Windows:

Open the Control Panel and go to “System and Security.”

Click on “System” and then “Advanced system settings.”

Under the “Advanced” tab, click on “Settings” under the Performance section.

In the Performance Options window, go to the “Advanced” tab and click on “Virtual Memory.”

Increase the paging file size, ensuring that it’s large enough to handle your needs.

On macOS: macOS automatically manages virtual memory, so you don’t need to manually adjust it. However, you can optimize performance by closing unnecessary applications and freeing up disk space.

Solution 5: Use External Storage Devices

If you’re still encountering issues with storage space, consider using an external drive to save your Snagit captures. External hard drives or solid-state drives (SSDs) offer ample storage space, and you can configure Snagit to save captures directly to these drives.

Alternatively, cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive can be used to store captures and videos. You can set Snagit to save files directly to your cloud storage folder, freeing up local disk space.

Preventive Measures and Best Practices

To avoid encountering the “Not Enough Disk Space” error in the future, consider these preventive measures:

Regularly Clean Your Disk: Set a reminder to periodically clean your system using Disk Cleanup or a third-party tool like CCleaner. This helps keep your system free of unnecessary files.

Use External Storage: If you frequently run into storage limitations, it’s a good idea to invest in an external hard drive or cloud storage to keep your files safe without filling up your main system drive.

Monitor Disk Usage: Tools like WinDirStat (for Windows) or DaisyDisk (for macOS) can help you visualize your disk usage and identify large files that may need to be deleted or moved to another location.

Upgrade Your Storage: If you consistently run out of space on your computer, it may be time to upgrade your storage solution. Consider replacing your hard drive with a larger one or adding an SSD to increase both storage and speed.

Snagit’s Save Options: Be sure to check Snagit’s settings regularly to ensure that files are being saved to the appropriate location. You can also enable automatic cleanup of temporary files to prevent them from accumulating and causing storage problems.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If you’ve tried the basic solutions and still encounter the error, there are a few more advanced steps you can take:

Reinstall Snagit: If Snagit’s installation has become corrupted, reinstalling the software may fix any underlying issues. Be sure to back up your settings and captures before uninstalling.

Check for Software Conflicts: Sometimes other software on your system, such as antivirus programs, can interfere with Snagit’s ability to save files. Try disabling unnecessary software temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.

Contact Snagit Support: If none of the above solutions work, you may need to reach out to Snagit’s customer support team for further assistance. They may be able to provide more specialized troubleshooting steps.

Encountering the “Not Enough Disk Space” error in Snagit is a common issue, but it’s usually easy to fix. By following the solutions outlined in this guide, you should be able to free up enough space on your system or change your save settings to prevent this error from interfering with your workflow. Regular maintenance, such as clearing temporary files, monitoring disk usage, and using external storage, can help prevent similar issues in the future. With these steps, you can continue using Snagit without worrying about disk space problems.