Credential Manager Not Working on Windows 11? Fixes

If Credential Manager won’t open, crashes, or fails to save passwords on Windows 11, the fix usually involves restarting the Windows Credential Manager service, clearing corrupted cache files, or running System File Checker. Below are step-by-step solutions for the most common causes, plus background on how the tool works and what to do if it’s still broken.

What Is Credential Manager on Windows 11?

Credential Manager is a built-in Windows feature that stores login information for websites, apps, and network resources. It has two sections:

• Web Credentials – passwords saved by Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, and some other browsers.
• Windows Credentials – logins for network shares, mapped drives, Remote Desktop connections, and certain apps.

When you choose “Remember me” on a site or connect to a network drive and tick “Remember my credentials,” Windows saves that data encrypted in your user profile. Credential Manager is the interface that lets you view, add, edit, or remove those entries.

Why Credential Manager Stops Working

Several things can break Credential Manager on Windows 11:

• The Credential Manager service is stopped or disabled. This service (named Credential Manager in Services) must be running for the tool to open.
• Corrupted vault files. The encrypted files that store your credentials can become damaged after a crash, power loss, or failed update.
• User profile corruption. If your profile is damaged, Credential Manager may open blank or crash.
• Group Policy restrictions. On managed PCs, an administrator may have disabled Credential Manager.
• Antivirus or security software interference. Some third-party security tools block access to credential storage.
• Outdated Windows installation. Bugs in older builds of Windows 11 were fixed in later cumulative updates.

How to Fix Credential Manager Not Opening

Try these fixes in order. Most users resolve the issue with the first or second step.

1. Restart the Credential Manager Service

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll to Credential Manager.
3. Right-click it and choose Restart. If the service is not running, choose Start.
4. Set its startup type to Automatic by double-clicking the service, changing the “Startup type” dropdown, and clicking OK.
5. Try opening Credential Manager again (search for it in the Start menu).

If the service fails to start, check the Windows Event Log for error details, or move to the next fix.

2. Run System File Checker and DISM

Corrupted system files can cause Credential Manager to fail silently.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (right-click Start → Terminal (Admin)).
2. Run sfc /scannow and wait for it to finish.
3. Then run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
4. Restart your PC and test Credential Manager.

3. Clear the Credential Manager Cache

If the vault files are corrupted, deleting them forces Windows to recreate them. This does not delete your saved passwords – it only removes the local cache.

1. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials.
2. Delete all files in that folder. You may need to enable “Show hidden files” first.
3. Also go to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials and delete its contents.
4. Restart your PC.

After restart, try opening Credential Manager. If it works, you may need to re-enter some network credentials the next time you connect.

4. Create a New User Profile

If the above steps fail, your user profile may be corrupted. Create a new local administrator account, log into it, and check if Credential Manager opens. If it does, you can migrate your files to the new profile.

5. Check Group Policy Settings

On Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, run gpedit.msc and navigate to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Credential User Interface. Look for policies that disable Credential Manager. If any are set to “Enabled” or “Not Configured,” set them to “Not Configured” or “Disabled.”

How to Fix Credential Manager Not Saving Passwords

If Credential Manager opens but doesn’t save new credentials, try these steps:

• Reset the vault. In Credential Manager, click “Windows Credentials” → “Back up credentials” (choose a location), then “Restore credentials” and select the backup. This sometimes refreshes the vault.
• Disable and re-enable the service. Sometimes the service is running but stuck. Set it to “Disabled,” restart, then set it back to “Automatic” and start it.
• Check browser settings. If you’re using Edge, ensure “Offer to save passwords” is on in Edge’s settings. Credential Manager only stores what the browser sends to it.
• Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Windows Store Apps, and run it.

How to Recover Deleted or Missing Credentials

If you accidentally deleted a credential or it vanished, there’s no built-in “undo.” However, you can:

• Restore from a backup – if you previously used “Back up credentials,” you can restore it.
• Check with your browser – passwords saved in Edge or Chrome are often stored in the browser’s own password manager, not in Credential Manager. Look there.
• Use the command line – run cmdkey /list in Command Prompt to see all stored Windows credentials. This shows the same data as the GUI but sometimes works when the GUI doesn’t.

Alternatives to Credential Manager

If Credential Manager remains broken, you can use third-party password managers. Popular ones include Bitwarden, 1Password, and KeePass. These store your passwords in an encrypted vault and offer browser extensions, so you don’t rely on Windows’ built-in tool. They also work across devices and platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Credential Manager blank on Windows 11?

A blank Credential Manager window usually means the credential service isn’t running or the vault files are corrupted. Restart the service, then clear the cache folders as described above. If that fails, create a new user profile.

Does Credential Manager store browser passwords?

It stores passwords that browsers explicitly save to Windows. Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer do this by default. Google Chrome and Firefox have their own password managers and do not save to Credential Manager unless configured to use Windows Hello or a similar feature.

Can I export my saved credentials?

There is no built-in export for Credential Manager. The “Back up credentials” option creates a .crd file that can only be restored on the same Windows installation. For a portable format, use a third-party password manager.

Is it safe to delete all files in the Credentials folder?

Yes, it’s safe in the sense that it won’t break Windows. You’ll lose the cached copies of network passwords, so you’ll need to re-enter them next time you connect to a network drive or remote desktop. Your actual passwords are not stored in plain text there.

Why does Credential Manager keep asking for passwords after I clear it?

Clearing the cache removes saved entries, so Windows no longer has them to auto-fill. You’ll be prompted again until you re-save them. This is expected behavior.

Can I use Credential Manager on Windows 11 Home?

Yes, Credential Manager is available on all editions of Windows 11. However, Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) is not included in Home, so you’ll need to use the registry or third-party tools to change policy settings.

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