How to fix Windows 10 Photos app not working

How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

Stay with us if you’re interested to know how to fix Windows 10 Photos app not working.

This operating system comes with a built-in app to view the photo albums that you can use to open photos on your computer or import from your other devices.

The Photos app goes one step further and allows you to actually edit your photos as well.

You can crop the images, add effects, change brightness and contrast, doodle, add animated text, add 3D effects, and much more.

It is all that you need for some basic photos-related work.

However, even though the Photos app works great for the majority of the time, you might run into some errors once in a while.

The app may not work, it may lag, or may even not show up the photo that you’ve opened.

Table of Contents

  1. How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working
    1. Reset the Photos app
    2. Update Windows and the Photos app
  2. Where is the Windows 10 Photos app location?
  3. Wrap Up

How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

Microsoft Photos app not working as expected? If you find some problems when using Photos, there are a handful of fixes you can implement.

The first couple of things you can try are closing the app and reopening it, or restarting your computer. If these basic fixes don’t work, you may follow the below-mentioned ones.

Reset the Photos app

This step requires resetting the photos app which also clears any non-serious technical issues. This is one of the first methods that users generally apply.

All it takes is a handful of steps. Let’s see how you can do it:

  • Click on the Windows icon at the bottom-left corner of your screen to open up the Start menu;
  • Then, click on the Settings icon, it’s the one that looks like a gear;
 10 photos app not working

  • This will take you to the Settings page where you will see a bunch of options. On this page, click on “Apps”;
w to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

  • Now you’ll be taken to the “Apps & features” page. There, you can see all the apps that are installed on your computer;
How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

  • On the list of apps, find the “Microsoft Photos” app and click it;
How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

  • You will then see more options like “Move”, “Uninstall”, and “Advanced options”. Here you have to access the Settings to reset this app. For that, click on “Advanced Settings”;
How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

  • Now, a new page will open up with advanced settings for the Photos app;
How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

  • Once there, scroll down the page and find the “Reset” button and click on it. If prompted, you need to confirm this action. Then, Windows will permanently delete the app’s data on your computer which includes your preferences and sign-in details. However, doing so will make the app start working again.
How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

Update Windows and the Photos app

If the above fix didn’t work, you may need to update your Windows operating system and also your Photos app.

Usually, for any technical issues, updating the software is one of the best ways to fix them. Let’s take a look at the steps involved in this.

  • Similar to the first step above, you need to click on the Windows icon at the bottom-left corner of your screen to open up the Start menu. Then, click on the Settings icon to open the Settings page;
How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

  • On the Settings page, go to “Update & Security”;
w to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

  • This will open up the Windows Update page, where you will be able to check out the status of your last update and whether any new updates are available. If any new update is available, go ahead and install it. This may involve restarting the PC which will happen automatically;
How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

  • Now, check if the Photos app is up to date or not. To do it, you will need to head over to the Microsoft Store. To access it, go to the desktop, and type “Microsoft Store” in the search box. Then click on the topmost result;
How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

  • This will open the Store. There, click on the “Search” icon toward the top-right corner of your screen and type “Microsoft Photos”. Then hit “Enter”;
How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

  • It will open up the Photos app page where you can see if any updates are available. If so, you should proceed and install them. This, too, usually solves any problems with the app.
How to fix Windows 10 photos app not working

Where is the Windows 10 Photos app location?

Getting to the “Photos” location is easy.

  • Access the Windows Start Menu;
  • Type “Photos”;
  • The “Photos” app will show at the top of the search list.

Wrap Up

The Microsoft Photos app is a great way to view and edit your photos on your Windows computer. However, it can run into some errors from time to time.

When the Windows Photos app not working properly, you can apply a couple of quick fixes like restarting the app or the computer itself.

If that doesn’t work, check to see if there are any updates available for your Windows. If so, you need to update your system.

You should also check if you can update the Photos app. If none of those work, you can always reset the app which should fix most problems.

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