How to Fix Microsoft Photos App Won’t Open in Windows 11

Microsoft Photos app is the built-in tool for viewing and managing images in Windows 11 and Windows 11. However, sometimes you may notice the app refuses to open, crashes on launch, or fails to display images correctly. Users report, Microsoft Photos App won’t open or Photos App opens with black screen. The issue can be caused by various factors, such as corrupt app data, outdated system files, or incorrect settings and more. Whatever the reason, here are several ways to resolve the problem and restore Microsoft photos app functionality.

Microsoft Photos App Not Opening

If the Microsoft Photos app won’t open or crashes, common reasons include outdated software, corrupted files, app conflicts, or problems with graphics drivers.

• Corrupted App Files – The app’s installation files might be damaged, preventing it from launching properly.
• Outdated Windows Version – An outdated system may have bugs or compatibility issues that affect the Photos app.
• Incorrect Default App Settings – If Photos is not set as the default image viewer, Windows might try opening images with another app.
• Accumulated Cache Data – Excessive temporary files can cause the app to malfunction.
• Corrupt System Files – Missing or damaged Windows system files can prevent the Photos app from functioning correctly.
• Conflicting Third-Party Apps – Other installed image viewers or editing software may interfere with the Photos app’s performance.

Restart Your Computer

A simple restart can often resolve minor glitches preventing the Microsoft Photos app from launching.

• Click the Start menu in the taskbar.
• Select Power > Restart.
• Once your system reboots, try opening the Photos app again.

Update Windows 11

Keeping your Windows system updated ensures that bugs and software conflicts are addressed. Updating Windows also provides the latest security patches and bug fixes, which can resolve compatibility issues and improve overall system performance.

• Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
• Navigate to Windows Update in the left panel.
• Click Check for updates.
• If updates are available, install them and restart your PC.

Reset the Microsoft Photos App

Resetting the Photos app will restore it to its default settings, potentially fixing any internal errors. This process clears any corrupted app data, which can be the root cause of the issue, while keeping your personal files intact.

1. Open Settings (Win + I) and Navigate to Apps > Installed apps.
2. Scroll down and locate Microsoft Photos. Click on it, then select Advanced options.
3. Scroll down and click Reset, then confirm your choice. Restart your PC and try launching the app again.

If resetting the app doesn’t work, try repairing it to fix any broken components.

Reinstall the Microsoft Photos App

If the app is severely corrupted, reinstalling it may be the best solution. This process removes the existing installation and replaces it with a fresh copy, ensuring that any damaged or missing files are restored.

Type PowerShell inside the search box and right-click on it to run it as an administrator.

Now, type the following command in the PowerShell to uninstall the Photos app. Press the Enter key after typing. It would uninstall your Photos app.

get-appxpackage *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | remove-appxpackage

Once uninstalled, open the Microsoft Store. Search for Microsoft Photos and click Install. Restart your computer and open the photos app.

Set Microsoft Photos as the Default Image Viewer

If Photos is not set as the default image viewer, Windows might use another app to open images. Changing this setting ensures that all image files open with the Photos app by default, eliminating any conflicts with other installed programs.

1. Open Settings (Win + I). Go to Apps > Default apps.
2. Scroll down and select Photos. Click Set default for image file types such as .jpg, .png, .bmp.

Delete Microsoft Photos Cache Data

Corrupt cache data can interfere with app performance. Clearing it removes outdated or damaged temporary files that may be preventing the Photos app from launching correctly.

• Press Win + R, type: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState and click ok.
• Locate the MediaDb.dat file and delete it.
• Restart your computer and check if the app works.

Perform a Clean Boot to Identify Conflicting Software

Running a clean boot disables non-Microsoft services to identify software conflicts. This helps determine if a third-party application is interfering with the Photos app, allowing you to isolate and remove the problematic software.

• Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
• Go to the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services.
• Click Disable all, then go to the Startup tab.
• Open Task Manager and disable all startup items.
• Restart your PC and check if the Photos app opens.
• If the issue is resolved, re-enable services one by one to find the conflicting app.

Create a New User Account

If all else fails, creating a new user account may help, as the issue could be linked to user-specific settings. A new user profile ensures a fresh set of system configurations and application settings, which may resolve the problem if it is tied to corrupted user data.

• Open Settings (Win + I).
• Go to Accounts > Family & other users.
• Click Add account and follow the prompts.
• Log in with the new account and check if the Photos app works.

Restore your system to the previous working state

If nothing is working for you then it’s now the best time to utilize the System Restore option to rewind your system to the previous working state. System Restore allows you to ‘rewind’ your Windows installation to an earlier working state, without affecting your documents.

One of the most Useful Features in Windows is Restore Point. If you already have Created Restore Point earlier when your computer was working fine, Then its the right time to utilize that restore point.