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10 Tech How-To

Windows 10 Photos App Not Working? Fixes That Work

Guide 10-4815 · Updated · Step by step

If the Windows 10 Photos app is not working—whether it won’t open, crashes, freezes, or shows a blank screen—the problem is usually a corrupted app cache or a broken system file, and it can often be fixed in under five minutes by resetting the app or running the built-in troubleshooter. Below are the most effective solutions, from quick resets to deeper system checks, plus explanations of why the app fails and how to prevent it from happening again.

Why the Photos App Fails

The Photos app in Windows 10 is a UWP (Universal Windows Platform) app, meaning it runs in a sandboxed environment separate from traditional desktop programs. This architecture has benefits for security and updates, but it also makes the app susceptible to corruption in its cache, conflicts with system updates, or interference from third-party antivirus software. Common triggers include:

  • Corrupted cache files – The app stores thumbnails and metadata locally; if these files become damaged, the app may hang or show a black window.
  • Outdated app version – Microsoft pushes updates through the Store, but if automatic updates are disabled, you may run an old build with known bugs.
  • System file corruption – Windows system files (like DLLs) can be damaged by crashes, disk errors, or incomplete updates, causing the Photos app to fail.
  • Display driver issues – The app relies on hardware acceleration; outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can cause rendering problems.
  • Conflicting third-party software – Some image editors or antivirus tools may lock files or interfere with the app’s processes.

Quick Fix: Reset the Photos App

The most common and effective fix is to reset the app, which clears its cache and resets its settings to default. This does not delete your photos, only the app’s temporary data. Here’s how:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps → Apps & features.
  3. Scroll to find Photos (or use the search box). Click on it.
  4. Select Advanced options.
  5. Scroll down and click Reset. A confirmation prompt will appear—click Reset again.

After the process completes (it may take a few seconds), reopen the Photos app. If it still fails, you can also try the Repair button (located just above Reset) which attempts to fix issues without clearing all data. If neither works, proceed to the next steps.

Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter specifically for Store apps. It can automatically detect and fix common problems like corrupted settings or missing licenses.

  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. It may take a few minutes.

If the troubleshooter finds issues, it will attempt to fix them automatically. If it reports no problems, move on to the next solution.

Update or Reinstall the Photos App

Sometimes the app itself is outdated or corrupted beyond repair. Updating or reinstalling can resolve persistent issues.

Update via Microsoft Store

  1. Open the Microsoft Store.
  2. Click the Library icon (bottom-left).
  3. Click Get updates. If an update for Photos is available, it will install automatically.

Reinstall via PowerShell

If updating doesn’t help, you can reinstall the app using PowerShell. This removes the app completely and then reinstalls the latest version.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
    Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | Remove-AppxPackage
  3. Wait for the command to finish. This uninstalls the app.
  4. To reinstall, open the Microsoft Store, search for “Photos�, and click Install.

Note: This will remove your app settings and any local modifications, but your photo files remain untouched.

Check System Files and Display Drivers

If the app still won’t work, the issue may lie deeper in Windows or your graphics drivers.

Run System File Checker (SFC)

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (search “cmd�, right-click, select “Run as administrator�).
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the scan to complete (may take 15-20 minutes). If it finds corrupted files, it will attempt to repair them. Restart your PC afterward.

Update Graphics Drivers

  1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Display adapters.
  3. Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
  4. If no update is found, visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) to download the latest driver.

Outdated drivers are a common cause of Photos app crashes, especially on systems that have recently upgraded to a new Windows 10 feature update.

Alternative: Use a Different Photo Viewer

If you need to view photos immediately and the Photos app remains broken, Windows 10 includes the classic Windows Photo Viewer (though it’s hidden by default). To enable it:

  1. Open Registry Editor (type “regedit� in Start, press Enter).
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Capabilities\FileAssociations.
  3. For each image extension (e.g., .jpg, .png), create a String Value with the name being the extension and the value set to PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff.

Alternatively, you can install a third-party viewer like IrfanView or XnView, which are lightweight and reliable. However, the Photos app is deeply integrated with Windows 10 (for setting lock screen backgrounds, for example), so fixing it is usually worth the effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Photos app open to a black screen?

A black screen usually indicates a rendering issue, often caused by outdated graphics drivers or corrupted app cache. Try updating your GPU drivers first; if that fails, reset the app as described above.

Will resetting the Photos app delete my pictures?

No. Resetting only clears the app’s cache, settings, and temporary files. Your actual photo files remain untouched in your folders. It’s safe to do.

Can I reinstall the Photos app without losing my edits?

If you’ve made edits to photos using the Photos app’s built-in editor, those edits are saved as separate files (usually in the same folder with a suffix like “-editedâ€�). Reinstalling the app does not delete those files. However, any unsaved edits or custom app settings will be lost.

Why does the Photos app keep crashing when I open a specific image?

This could be due to a corrupted image file or an unsupported format. Try opening the image in another viewer to confirm it’s not damaged. If it’s a large file (e.g., a 100MP panorama), the app may run out of memory; try resizing the image.

Is there a way to prevent the Photos app from failing in the future?

Keep Windows and the app updated, avoid force-closing the app (which can corrupt its cache), and regularly run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter if you notice issues. Also, ensure your system has enough free disk space (at least 10% of your drive).

What if none of these fixes work?

If the app still fails after all steps, you may have a deeper system issue. Try creating a new Windows user account to see if the problem persists. If it works in a new account, your user profile is corrupted. As a last resort, you can use the “Reset this PC� feature (keeping your files) to reinstall Windows 10 entirely.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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