Application Has Stopped Working? Here’s How to Fix It

Applications crashing unexpectedly is a common problem in both Windows 11 and Windows 10. You may see an error such as “This app has stopped working,” or the program may simply freeze, close without warning, or fail to open. These crashes can affect any application, from web browsers and games to productivity software. In many cases, the problem is caused by outdated software, corrupted system files, incompatible drivers, missing runtime components, or conflicts with other programs running on your PC.

In this guide, we’ll explain the most common reasons why applications stop working in Windows and practical solutions to get them running normally again.

Why Do Applications Stop Working in Windows?

An application can stop working for many different reasons. Sometimes the problem is caused by the application itself, while in other cases Windows, device drivers, or damaged system files are responsible.

Some of the most common reasons include:

• Corrupted application files caused by an incomplete installation or damaged program files.
• Outdated software that isn’t fully compatible with the latest Windows updates.
• Corrupted Windows system files that affect how applications run.
• Outdated or incompatible device drivers, especially graphics drivers for games and creative software.
• Missing or damaged Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables or .NET Runtime required by many applications.
• Software conflicts caused by antivirus programs, background applications, or startup services.
• Insufficient system resources, such as low available memory or storage space.

Now that you know what can cause an application to crash, let’s go through the most effective ways to fix the problem.

Fix 1: Restart the Application and Your PC

Before trying more advanced troubleshooting, close the application completely and restart your computer. Temporary Windows glitches or background processes can sometimes prevent an application from running correctly.

If the application crashes every time you open it, restart your PC and try launching it again before opening other programs. If the problem disappears after a restart, it was likely caused by a temporary software conflict or a process that wasn’t working correctly.

If the application still crashes after restarting Windows, continue with the next troubleshooting steps.

Fix 2: Update or Reinstall the Application

If only one application keeps crashing while everything else works normally, the problem is likely with that application rather than Windows itself. Installing the latest version can fix bugs, improve compatibility, and replace any damaged program files.

Start by checking whether the application has an update available. Many programs include a built-in Check for Updates option, while others can be updated through the Microsoft Store or by downloading the latest version from the developer’s official website.

If updating doesn’t resolve the problem, uninstall the application, restart your computer, then reinstall it. Reinstalling replaces missing or corrupted files that may be causing the application to crash.

Fix 3: Run the Application as Administrator

Some applications need administrator privileges to access protected system files, modify settings, or write data to specific folders. If the program doesn’t have the required permissions, it may fail to start or crash shortly after opening.

To run an application as an administrator:

1. Close the application if it’s already running.
2. Right-click the application’s shortcut or executable file.
3. Select Run as administrator.
4. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.

If the application works normally with administrator privileges, you can configure it to always run as an administrator:

1. Right-click the application’s shortcut and select Properties.
2. Open the Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program as an administrator.
4. Click Apply, then OK.

Tip: Only enable this setting for trusted applications. Running software with administrator privileges gives it access to sensitive parts of Windows, so it shouldn’t be used unless it’s necessary.

Fix 4: Run the Program in Compatibility Mode

If you’re using an older application that was designed for an earlier version of Windows, Compatibility Mode may help resolve startup problems or unexpected crashes. It allows Windows to run the program using settings intended for older operating systems.

To enable Compatibility Mode:

1. Right-click the application’s shortcut or executable file and select Properties.
2. Open the Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for.
4. Choose an earlier version of Windows, such as Windows 8 or Windows 7.
5. Click Apply, then OK, and try opening the application again.

If the application still crashes, return to the Compatibility tab and disable Compatibility Mode before trying the next solution.

Note: Compatibility Mode is most useful for legacy software. It usually doesn’t fix crashes in modern applications that are designed specifically for Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Fix 5: Repair Corrupted Windows System Files

Corrupted or missing Windows system files can prevent applications from opening or cause them to crash unexpectedly. Windows includes two built-in tools, System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), to scan for and repair these problems.

Run the SFC Scan

1. Press Windows + S, type Command Prompt, then select Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
3. Wait for the scan to finish. If Windows finds corrupted system files, it will attempt to repair them automatically.

Run the DISM Tool

If the SFC scan reports that it found corrupted files but couldn’t repair some of them, run the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once the command finishes, restart your computer and run sfc /scannow Again, to confirm that the corrupted system files have been repaired.

Note: SFC and DISM repair Windows system files, not the application itself. If only one program continues to crash after repairing Windows, reinstalling or updating that application may resolve the issue.

Fix 6: Install the Latest Windows Updates

Microsoft regularly releases updates that improve system stability, fix bugs, and resolve compatibility issues that can cause applications to crash. If your PC hasn’t been updated for a while, installing the latest Windows updates may fix the problem.

To check for updates:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If updates are available, download and install them.
5. Restart your computer if prompted.

After Windows restarts, launch the application again to see if the issue has been resolved.

Tip: If the application started crashing immediately after a Windows update, check whether the software developer has released a newer version that’s compatible with the latest Windows release.

Fix 7: Update Your Device Drivers

Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible device drivers can prevent applications from working correctly. This is especially common with graphics-intensive applications, games, video editing software, and programs that rely on hardware acceleration.

Update Drivers Using Device Manager

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the category for the device you want to update, such as Display adapters.
3. Right-click the device and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Restart your computer if Windows installs a newer driver.

If Windows can’t find a newer driver, visit your device manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver for your hardware. This is particularly important for graphics cards from NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel, as newer drivers often include bug fixes and compatibility improvements for recently released applications and games.

After updating your drivers, open the application again to check whether the problem has been resolved.

Fix 8: Repair or Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ and .NET Runtime

Many Windows applications rely on Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables and the .NET Runtime to run properly. If these components are missing, outdated, or corrupted, an application may fail to start or crash unexpectedly.

Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Locate Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable in the list.
4. Click the three-dot menu next to the installed version and select Modify (if available).
5. Choose Repair and follow the on-screen instructions.

If the Repair option isn’t available or the problem continues, download and install the latest supported Visual C++ Redistributables from Microsoft’s official website.

Repair the .NET Runtime

If the application specifically requires the .NET Runtime, download the latest supported version from Microsoft’s official website and install it. After the installation is complete, restart your computer and try opening the application again.

Older applications may require the .NET Framework, while newer applications typically use the .NET Runtime. Install the version recommended by the application’s developer.

Fix 9: Perform a Clean Boot

Sometimes, a background service or startup application can conflict with a program and cause it to crash. Performing a Clean Boot starts Windows with only essential Microsoft services and drivers, making it easier to determine whether a third-party application is causing the problem.

To perform a Clean Boot:

• Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
• In the System Configuration window, open the Services tab.
• Check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.

• Switch to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
• Disable all non-essential startup applications.
• Close Task Manager, click Apply, then OK.
• Restart your computer.

After restarting, try opening the application again.

• If the application works normally, a third-party service or startup program is likely causing the conflict.
• If the application still crashes, the problem is probably related to Windows, the application itself, or your hardware.

Once you’ve finished testing, return to System Configuration and re-enable the disabled services and startup applications. If you identify a conflicting program, consider updating, reinstalling, or removing it.

Conclusion

Application crashes can be caused by many different issues, from corrupted program files and outdated drivers to damaged Windows system files and software conflicts. By following the troubleshooting steps in this guide, you can identify the most likely cause and resolve the problem in many cases. If the application still doesn’t work, reinstalling it or contacting the software developer may be the best next step, especially if the issue affects only one program.

Frequently Asked Questions