Fix Photos App Won’t Open in Windows 11

If the Photos app won’t open in Windows 11, the fastest fix is to reset the app via Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Microsoft Photos, and click “Advanced options” then “Reset.” This clears the app’s cache and restores default settings without deleting your photo files. If that doesn’t work, a quick repair (same menu) or reinstalling the app via PowerShell usually resolves deeper corruption.

Why the Photos App Fails to Launch

Windows 11’s Photos app is a UWP (Universal Windows Platform) application, meaning it runs in a sandboxed environment separate from traditional desktop programs. This architecture allows automatic updates and better security, but it also makes the app more vulnerable to corrupted cache files, broken update installations, and conflicts with system settings. Common causes include:

• Corrupted cache or thumbnail database – the app builds a large cache of thumbnails; if it becomes corrupted, the app may crash on startup.
• Outdated or broken app update – a partially installed update can leave the app in an inconsistent state.
• File association issues – other photo viewers may have hijacked the default handler, causing the Photos app to fail when launched from a file.
• System file corruption – damaged Windows system files can prevent UWP apps from starting.
• Insufficient permissions – rarely, the app’s user data folder gets locked, preventing launch.

Most of these issues are fixable without advanced technical skills, and you won’t lose any of your actual photos.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into more complex solutions, try these two simple steps – they resolve a surprising number of cases:

1. Restart your PC. This clears temporary glitches and releases any locked files the app might be using.
2. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, find “Windows Store Apps,” and click “Run.” This automated tool can detect and fix common UWP app problems.

If the app still won’t open, proceed to the reset method below – it’s the most effective single fix.

How to Reset or Repair the Photos App

Windows 11 provides two built-in options for fixing a broken UWP app: Repair and Reset. Both are found in the same place, and they work without affecting your photo files.

1. Open Settings (Win + I) and go to Apps > Installed apps.
2. Scroll to find Microsoft Photos (or use the search box). Click the three-dot menu next to it and select Advanced options.
3. You’ll see two buttons: Repair and Reset.
4. Try Repair first – it attempts to fix the app without deleting any of its data (like your library or settings).
5. If the app still won’t open, click Reset. This will delete the app’s data, including your library and settings, but will not delete your actual photo files.

After resetting, the app will behave like a fresh install. You’ll need to re-add any folders you had in your library, but your photos remain untouched on disk.

Reinstalling the Photos App via PowerShell

If Reset doesn’t work, the app’s installation itself may be corrupted. Reinstalling it through PowerShell is a reliable next step. This method removes the app package and reinstalls it from Microsoft’s servers.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. When prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
3. Type the following command and press Enter to uninstall the Photos app for the current user:
   Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | Remove-AppxPackage
4. Wait for the command to complete. This may take a minute.
5. Now reinstall the app by typing:
   Start-Process "ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9WZDNCRFJBH4" – this opens the Microsoft Store page for Photos. Click Install.

If you prefer a single command that reinstalls automatically, you can use:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
However, the uninstall/reinstall method is more thorough.

Check for System File Corruption

Sometimes the Photos app fails because Windows system files are damaged. Running the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools can repair them. These are safe, built-in utilities.

1. Open Terminal (Admin) again.
2. First, run DISM to repair the system image:
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   This can take 15-30 minutes. Let it finish.
3. Then run SFC:
   sfc /scannow
   This will scan and repair protected system files.
4. Restart your PC and try opening Photos.

These commands do not affect your personal files, but they do require an internet connection for DISM to download necessary files.

Other Common Issues and Their Fixes

Sometimes the app opens but behaves oddly – blank window, no thumbnails, or crashes when viewing a photo. These are related but distinct problems:

• Blank white window – often a rendering issue. Update your graphics driver from the manufacturer’s website, or go to Settings > Apps > Advanced options for Photos and click Repair.
• Thumbnails not loading – clear the thumbnail cache by running Disk Cleanup (search “Disk Cleanup” in Start), select the drive, and check “Thumbnails.” Then click OK.
• App crashes when editing – this may be due to missing codecs. Install the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store (some are paid, but the free version from device manufacturers works for most).
• Photos app not set as default – go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, search for “Photos,” and set it as default for .jpg, .png, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting the Photos app delete my photos?

No. Resetting the app deletes its settings, library, and cache, but your actual photo files remain untouched on your hard drive. You’ll need to re-add folders to your library after the reset.

Why does the Photos app keep crashing on startup?

This is usually caused by a corrupted cache or a broken update. Try the Repair option first, then Reset. If that fails, reinstall the app via PowerShell as described above. Also ensure your Windows is up to date.

Can I use the classic Windows Photo Viewer instead?

Yes. Windows 11 still includes the legacy Windows Photo Viewer, but it’s disabled by default. You can enable it via a registry tweak or use a third-party viewer like IrfanView or VLC. However, the modern Photos app is the default and integrates with OneDrive and editing features.

What if the Photos app is missing from the Start menu?

If the app is completely missing, reinstall it via PowerShell using the command mentioned earlier. If that doesn’t work, run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter, or check if the app is disabled in Settings > Apps > Advanced options (if you can find it). You can also run Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *Photos* in PowerShell to see if it’s installed for all users.

Does reinstalling the Photos app affect my OneDrive photos?

No. OneDrive photos are stored in the cloud and synced to your PC. Reinstalling the app doesn’t touch those files. After reinstallation, you may need to sign in to OneDrive again within the app.

Why does Photos open slowly or lag when viewing large images?

Slow performance can be due to large image files, insufficient RAM, or a slow hard drive. Try closing other apps, moving photos to an SSD, or using the Photos app’s built-in “Optimize” feature (if available). Also ensure your graphics drivers are up to date.

Related

• Fix Snapchat Can’t Loading Images: 7 Fixes
• Roku Freezing or Restarting? Fixes That Work
• How to Restart Apache on CentOS Linux