How To Fix Apps Games & Programs Not Opening in Windows 11

1. Restart Your Computer

Before troubleshooting, try restarting your computer. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches or background conflicts that are preventing apps or programs from opening.

2. Check for Windows Updates

Outdated Windows versions may cause apps and programs to malfunction. Keeping Windows 11 updated can help resolve many bugs.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If updates are available, install them and restart your computer.

Sometimes, app-specific updates are bundled with system updates, so keeping Windows up to date is essential.

3. Run the App Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter for apps and programs that can identify and resolve issues.

Steps:

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Scroll down and find Windows Store Apps.
4. Click Run to start the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.

4. Check for Compatibility Issues

Some older apps or games may not be compatible with Windows 11, especially those designed for previous versions of Windows.

Steps:

1. Right-click on the app or program’s executable file (.exe).
2. Select Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for, and select a previous version of Windows (like Windows 10 or 7).
5. Click Apply and then OK.
6. Try opening the app again.

5. Reset or Repair the App

If you are facing issues with a specific app installed from the Microsoft Store, you can reset or repair it.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Find the problematic app from the list and click the three-dot menu (…) next to it.
3. Select Advanced options.
4. Scroll down and click Repair. If this doesn’t work, click Reset.

After resetting, the app’s data will be deleted, but this can often resolve issues with the app not launching.

6. Clear the Microsoft Store Cache

Corrupted Microsoft Store cache files can prevent apps from launching.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.
3. This will reset the Microsoft Store cache and may resolve app-related issues.

7. Reinstall Problematic Apps

If an app or game is still not opening, try reinstalling it.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Locate the problematic app, click the three dots (…) next to it, and select Uninstall.
3. After uninstalling, reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store or from the official website.

8. Check for Corrupted System Files (SFC and DISM)

Corrupted system files can cause programs not to open properly. Running the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM tools can repair these files.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator:
   • Press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. Type the following command and press Enter:bashCopy codesfc /scannow
3. Wait for the scan to complete. If corrupted files are found, SFC will try to repair them automatically.
4. After that, run the DISM tool by typing the following command:bashCopy codeDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
5. Restart your computer after the process finishes and try launching the apps again.

9. Check for Memory or Disk Space Issues

Lack of memory or disk space can prevent apps and programs from opening. Check whether your system has enough resources to run the apps.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Check the Memory and Disk usage. If they are running at near 100%, close unnecessary apps to free up resources.
3. Also, ensure that you have enough free space on your system drive (usually C:).

10. Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Firewall

In some cases, third-party antivirus or firewall software can block apps and games from opening.

Steps:

1. Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall.
2. Try to open the app or program.
3. If it works, consider adding the app to the allowed list (whitelist) of your antivirus or firewall.

Note: Be cautious while disabling security software and re-enable it once you’ve tested the app.

11. Reinstall or Update Graphics Drivers (For Games)

For games, especially those with high graphical requirements, outdated or corrupted graphics drivers may prevent them from launching.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Display adapters section.
3. Right-click on your graphics card and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
5. If no updates are found, you can download the latest driver from the graphics card manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).

If the problem persists, try uninstalling and reinstalling the graphics drivers.

12. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot helps eliminate any software conflicts that could be preventing apps from opening.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Go to the Services tab.
3. Check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
4. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
5. Disable all startup items.
6. Restart your computer and check if the apps or programs are opening.
7. If the issue is resolved, enable the services and startup items one by one to identify the conflicting software.

13. Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)

If none of the above methods work, and apps or programs still won’t open, you might need to consider reinstalling Windows 11.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
2. Under Reset this PC, select Reset PC.
3. Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything, then follow the prompts to reinstall Windows.