Photos Was Unable to Open? Fix It Now

If you see “Photos was unable to open� in Windows, it usually means the Photos app is corrupted, outdated, or blocked by a system setting. The fix is to reset or reinstall the app, check your file association, and update Windows. Below are the exact steps to get your photos opening again, plus why this error happens and how to prevent it.

Why the Photos App Fails to Open

Windows Photos is a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app, which means it relies on several background services and system components. When one of those breaks, the app may refuse to launch entirely. Common causes include:

• Corrupted app cache: Temporary files that store thumbnails and settings can become damaged after a crash or power loss.
• Outdated app version: Microsoft updates Photos through the Store; if updates are paused, the app may miss critical fixes.
• Broken file association: If another program (like an old photo editor) hijacked the .jpg or .png association, Photos may not open when you double-click a file.
• System file corruption: A damaged Windows component can prevent any UWP app from starting.
• Third-party interference: Some antivirus or optimization tools accidentally block the app’s execution.

First Try: Reset the Photos App

The quickest fix is to reset the app’s data. This clears the cache and restores default settings without deleting your actual photo files.

1. Open Settings (Win + I) and go to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features on older builds).
2. Scroll to Microsoft Photos and click the three-dot menu (or the app name) to select Advanced options.
3. Scroll down and click Reset. Confirm if prompted.
4. Wait a few seconds, then try opening Photos again.

If the app still won’t open, restart your PC after the reset. Sometimes the reset doesn’t take effect until Windows reloads the app’s services.

Reinstall or Repair the App via PowerShell

If resetting doesn’t work, the app’s installation may be corrupted. You can re-register it with PowerShell, which often repairs deeper issues.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
   Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Reset-AppxPackage
3. Wait for the command to finish (it may take a minute).
4. Close PowerShell and try opening Photos.

If that fails, you can fully reinstall the app with:
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Remove-AppxPackage
Then reinstall it from the Microsoft Store by searching for “Microsoft Photos.� This will not delete your photos, but it will remove any custom settings you made in the app.

Check File Associations and Default Apps

Sometimes Photos is fine, but Windows is trying to open image files with a different program that is broken. To fix the association:

1. Right-click any image file (like a .jpg) and select Open with > Choose another app.
2. Select Photos from the list. If you don’t see it, click More apps and scroll down.
3. Check the box that says Always use this app to open .jpg files and click OK.

For a broader fix, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. Scroll to Photo viewer and click the current app. Choose Photos from the list. Repeat for other image types (PNG, GIF, etc.) if needed.

Update Windows and the Photos App

Microsoft frequently ships fixes for Photos via Windows Update and Store updates. If your system is outdated, the app may not work correctly.

• Windows Update: Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install all pending updates and restart.
• Store updates: Open the Microsoft Store, click Library (bottom left), then Get updates. This will update Photos and other apps.

Run System File Checker and DISM

If the app still won’t open, Windows system files may be damaged. Running the built-in repair tools can fix this.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (search “cmd�, right-click, and select “Run as administrator�).
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This checks and repairs protected system files. It may take 15-20 minutes.
3. After it finishes, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. This repairs the Windows image itself.
4. Restart your PC and try Photos again.

What If Nothing Works? Use Alternatives

If you’ve tried all the above and Photos still won’t open, you can use the built-in Paint or a free third-party viewer like IrfanView or FastStone Image Viewer. These are lightweight and open images instantly. For editing, you can use the online version of Photoshop (free with an Adobe account) or GIMP (open-source). But before giving up, try creating a new Windows user account and see if Photos works there—if it does, the issue is tied to your current profile’s settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting Photos delete my pictures?

No. Resetting the Photos app only clears its cache and settings, not your actual image files. Your photos stay in your Pictures folder and any other location you saved them.

Why does Photos say “This file can’t be opened�?

That message appears when the image file itself is corrupt or in an unsupported format. Photos supports JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, and HEIC (with a codec). If the file is from an old camera or a weird extension, try opening it in Paint or a web browser.

Can I reinstall Photos from the Microsoft Store if it’s removed?

Yes. Search for “Microsoft Photos� in the Microsoft Store and click Install. It’s free and will restore the app to its default state.

Why does Photos open but then immediately crash?

This often points to a corrupted cache or a conflict with a graphics driver. Try resetting the app as described above. If that fails, update your GPU driver from the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) or via Windows Update.

Is there a way to open photos in the classic Windows Photo Viewer?

Yes. Windows Photo Viewer is hidden in newer Windows versions, but you can enable it by editing the registry or using a small script. However, Microsoft no longer supports it, and it lacks modern features. The Photos app is the recommended default.

Does the Photos app work offline?

Yes, the Photos app works fully offline for viewing and basic editing. Some features like OneDrive backup or “Designer� require internet, but opening local files does not.

Related

• Start Watch Party on Prime Video: Step-by-Step
• Notion vs Asana: Choose by How Your Team Works
• Perovskite Solar Cells: Spray Coating Commercial Readiness