Photos App Not Working In Windows Here Are The Fixes

Photos App Not Working in Windows? Here Are the Fixes

The Windows Photos app, despite its user-friendly interface and robust features, can sometimes encounter issues that prevent it from functioning correctly. If you're experiencing problems with the Photos app, here are several detailed steps and troubleshooting methods to help you resolve the issue.

1. Update Windows and Photos App

Updating both Windows and the Photos app can often resolve compatibility issues and bugs that may be causing the app to malfunction.

Update Windows:
- Press the Windows key and click the Settings icon.
- Choose Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.
- Install the updates if available and restart your computer.
Update Photos App:
- Open the Microsoft Store app.
- Click on the three dots at the top-right corner and select Downloads and updates.
- Click Get updates and install any available updates for the Photos app.

2. Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

The built-in troubleshooter can help identify and fix issues with Windows Store apps, including the Photos app.

Right-click on the Start menu and select Settings.
Go to the System tab and select Troubleshoot.
Look for Other Troubleshooters and click on it.
Find the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Reset the Photos App

Resetting the Photos app can resolve issues by wiping its cache and resetting all settings to default.

Click the Windows key and choose Settings.
Go to System > Apps & Features.
Search for Photos, click on it, and select Advanced options.
Click the Reset button to reset the app.

4. Repair the Photos App

If resetting doesn't work, you can try repairing the app.

Right-click on the Start menu and select Apps and Features.
Scroll through the list of apps to find Photos. Click on the three-dot menu located on the right side of the app listing, then choose Advanced options.
On the Advanced options page, click on the Repair button under Reset.

5. Terminate the Photos App

Sometimes, manually closing the app can resolve temporary issues.

Right-click on the Start menu, then select Apps and Features.
Search for the Photos app, click on the three-dot menu located on the right side of the app listing, and choose Advanced options.
On the Advanced options page, click the Terminate button.

6. Reinstall the Photos App

If the app is corrupted, reinstalling it might be the solution.

Right-click the Windows icon on your taskbar and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Type in the following command and hit Enter:

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

Go to the Microsoft Store, search for Microsoft Photos, and reinstall the app.

7. Check for Corrupt System Files

Running a system file check can help identify and fix any corrupt system files that might be affecting the Photos app.

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
Enter the command sfc /scannow and restart Windows.

8. Run as Administrator

In some cases, running the Photos app as an administrator can resolve permission-related issues.

Search for Microsoft Photos in the taskbar search.
Right-click on Microsoft Photos and select Run as Administrator.

9. Check for Group Policies

Group policies can sometimes interfere with app functionality. Removing or adjusting these policies might help.

Check the registry key Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx for any policies that might be blocking the app.
Consider removing group policies that could be causing the issue.

10. Install Latest Windows App SDK (For Advanced Users)

For users experiencing issues with specific versions of the Photos app, installing the latest Windows App SDK might be necessary.

Download the latest Windows App SDK from the Microsoft Learn website.
Follow the installation instructions to install the SDK.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve most issues related to the Photos app not working in Windows. If the problem persists, it might be helpful to check for any specific error messages or logs that could provide more detailed information about the issue.