Fix Photos Error 0x887a0005: 6 Working Methods

If you see error 0x887a0005 in the Windows Photos app, it means the app can’t access your graphics hardware, and the fix is to update your GPU driver or reset the Photos app. This error typically appears when opening, editing, or saving a photo, and it’s almost always a driver or app glitch rather than a problem with your actual image files. Below are six proven methods to resolve it, starting with the most likely fixes.

What Causes Error 0x887a0005?

Error 0x887a0005 is a Windows error code that maps to DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED or DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG. In plain English, the Photos app uses your GPU (graphics card) to render and edit images, and Windows has detected that the GPU stopped responding or was removed. This can happen for several reasons:

• Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers – the most common cause, especially after a Windows update.
• Overheating or failing graphics hardware – less common but possible on older laptops.
• Conflicting background apps – other programs using the GPU heavily (games, video editors) can trigger the error.
• Corrupted Photos app cache or installation – the app itself may have become unstable.
• Power management settings – Windows may be cutting power to the GPU to save battery.

Method 1: Update Your Graphics Driver

The most reliable fix is to update your GPU driver. Here’s how:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click your GPU (e.g., Intel UHD Graphics, NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon) and choose Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for drivers.
5. If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, visit the manufacturer’s website (Intel, NVIDIA, AMD) and download the latest driver for your exact model.
6. Restart your PC after installation.

If you have both integrated and dedicated GPUs (common on laptops), update both. A mismatch between them can also cause this error.

Method 2: Reset the Photos App

If the driver is fine, the app itself may be corrupted. Resetting it clears its cache and settings without deleting your photos.

1. Open Settings (Win + I).
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features).
3. Search for Photos.
4. Click the three-dot menu next to it and select Advanced options.
5. Scroll down and click Reset. Confirm if prompted.
6. After the reset, reopen Photos and try again.

This does not delete your photos or videos – it only resets the app’s internal data.

Method 3: Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in tool that automatically detects and fixes problems with Store apps like Photos.

1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot (or Update & Security > Troubleshoot on older builds).
2. Select Other troubleshooters.
3. Find Windows Store Apps and click Run.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions. It may ask you to select the Photos app.

If the troubleshooter finds issues, it will attempt to fix them automatically. Restart your PC afterward.

Method 4: Change Power Settings to Prevent GPU Throttling

Laptops sometimes reduce GPU power to save battery, which can cause the Photos app to lose access to the GPU mid-operation. To prevent this:

1. Open Control Panel > Power Options.
2. Click Change plan settings next to your active plan.
3. Click Change advanced power settings.
4. Expand PCI Express > Link State Power Management.
5. Set it to Off (or Maximum performance) for both battery and plugged in.
6. Click Apply and restart.

This keeps the GPU fully powered while the Photos app is running. You can revert this later if you notice reduced battery life.

Method 5: Re-register the Photos App via PowerShell

If resetting didn’t help, re-registering the app with Windows can fix deeper corruption. This is safe and doesn’t affect your files.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
2. Copy and paste this command, then press Enter:
   Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
3. Wait for it to finish (it may take a minute).
4. Close the window and restart your PC.

This command re-registers the Photos app with Windows without uninstalling it. If you see a red error, it usually means the app is already properly registered – try the next method.

Method 6: Repair or Reinstall the Photos App

If none of the above works, you can repair or fully reinstall the Photos app. Repairing keeps your settings; reinstalling removes them but still keeps your photos.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Find Photos, click the three-dot menu, and select Advanced options.
3. Click Repair first. If the error persists, click Reset (which we did in Method 2).
4. If you want a full reinstall, open PowerShell as admin and run:
   Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Remove-AppxPackage
   Then reinstall from the Microsoft Store.

After reinstalling, open Photos and check if the error is gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this error damage my photos?

No. Error 0x887a0005 is a rendering error – it means the app couldn’t display or process the image, not that the file is corrupted. Your photos remain intact on disk. You can copy them to another folder or open them in a different viewer to confirm.

Why does it only happen with large photos or videos?

Large files require more GPU memory and processing time. If your GPU is underpowered or the driver is unstable, the workload can cause the device to hang, triggering this error. Updating the driver usually resolves this.

Can I just use another photo app instead?

Yes. If you don’t need the specific features of the Photos app, you can use the classic Windows Photo Viewer (enable it via Settings > Apps > Default apps) or a third-party viewer. But fixing the underlying driver issue is better because it may affect other apps too.

Is this error related to a virus?

No. This is a system-level graphics error, not a malware symptom. However, if you notice other unusual behavior, running a full antivirus scan is always a good idea.

Should I update Windows to fix this?

Sometimes. Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix bugs in the Photos app and graphics stack. Check for updates in Settings > Windows Update and install any pending ones. However, a Windows update can also trigger this error if it installs an incompatible driver – in that case, rolling back the driver (Device Manager > Driver > Roll Back) can help.

What if none of these methods work?

If you’ve tried all six methods and the error persists, the issue may be hardware-related (overheating, failing GPU). Run a GPU stress test or check the Windows Event Viewer for more detailed error logs. If you suspect hardware failure, consult a qualified technician.

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