Fix Photos App Crashing on Windows 10

The Windows 10 Photos app crashes on launch or during editing for many users, often due to corrupted cache files, outdated app versions, or faulty system components. Below are the most effective fixes, starting with the simplest and moving to more advanced solutions.

Why the Photos App Crashes

The Photos app in Windows 10 is a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app that relies on several background services and system files. Crashes commonly stem from a corrupted app cache, an outdated app version, conflicts with graphics drivers, or problems with the Windows Store components. Less frequently, the issue is tied to corrupted system files or a user profile that has become unstable.

Fix 1: Reset the Photos App

Resetting the app clears its cache and resets its settings to default, which resolves most crash issues without affecting your actual photo files.

1. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Scroll to Photos (or search for it in the list).
3. Click Advanced options.
4. Scroll down and click Reset. Confirm if prompted.

After the reset, the app will reinstall itself from the Windows Store. Try opening it again. If it still crashes, proceed to the next fix.

Fix 2: Update the Photos App

Microsoft regularly updates the Photos app with bug fixes and performance improvements. An outdated version can be the direct cause of crashes.

1. Open the Microsoft Store.
2. Click the Library icon (bottom-left) and then Get updates.
3. Wait for the Store to check for updates and install any available ones for Photos.

If the Store itself is not working, you can also update the app via the command line: press Win + R, type ms-windows-store://downloads, and press Enter.

Fix 3: Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix problems with Store apps, including Photos.

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. Click Additional troubleshooters.
3. Select Windows Store Apps and click Run the troubleshooter.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

This tool checks for corrupted app registrations and missing permissions, and it often fixes the problem without further action.

Fix 4: Check for Graphics Driver Issues

The Photos app uses hardware acceleration to render images and videos. If your graphics driver is outdated or incompatible, the app may crash when you open a photo or edit a video.

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) to download the latest driver manually. As a temporary workaround, you can also disable hardware acceleration in the Photos app’s settings (if the app opens at all) to see if that stops the crashes.

Fix 5: Re-register the Photos App

If the app’s registration in Windows has become corrupted, re-registering it via PowerShell can often fix the problem.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Copy and paste the following command, then press Enter:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Wait for the command to complete, then close PowerShell and try opening Photos again.

Fix 6: Repair System Files

If none of the above works, the crash may be caused by corrupted system files. Running the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM tools can repair them.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Win + X > Command Prompt (Admin)).
2. Run sfc /scannow and wait for it to finish.
3. If SFC finds issues, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and then restart your PC.

This process can take 10-20 minutes. After a restart, try the Photos app again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting Photos delete my pictures?

No. Resetting the app only clears its cache, settings, and temporary data. Your actual photo and video files remain untouched on your hard drive.

Why does the Photos app crash only when I open a video?

This is often related to missing video codecs or a graphics driver issue. Try installing the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store (some are paid) or updating your GPU driver. Also, try disabling hardware acceleration in the Photos app settings.

Can I use a different photo viewer instead?

Yes. Windows 10 includes the classic Windows Photo Viewer, which you can enable via the registry (though it’s not officially supported). Many third-party viewers like IrfanView or FastStone Image Viewer are lightweight and free alternatives that rarely crash.

What if the Photos app won’t open at all?

If the app crashes immediately on launch, try the reset and re-register steps first. If those fail, create a new Windows user account and see if Photos works there. If it does, your original user profile is likely corrupted, and you may need to migrate your files to the new account.

Is there a way to prevent future crashes?

Keep Windows and the Photos app updated, regularly run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter, and ensure your graphics drivers are current. Also, avoid opening extremely large images or videos that exceed your system’s memory capacity.

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