How to Fix Notepad Not Opening on Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide

Notepad, a simple yet indispensable text editor, has been a staple of the Windows operating system for decades. However, even the most reliable applications can encounter issues, and Notepad is no exception. If you find yourself in a situation where Notepad refuses to open on your Windows 10 PC, don’t panic. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through several effective methods to get Notepad up and running again.

Restart Notepad and Your PC

The first step in troubleshooting any software issue is to restart the application and your computer. Close any open Notepad sessions, then re-open the application. If this fails, restart your Windows computer via Start > Power button > Restart.

Use an Alternative Method to Open Notepad

There are multiple ways to open Notepad in Windows, so try an alternative method if your usual way isn’t working. For example, you could access it through the Start menu, use a Run command, or open it in File Explorer.

Remove Conflicting Applications

Conflicting applications can cause Notepad to not open, so you should close anything that isn’t essential. To do this, right-click the taskbar and select “Task Manager.” Select a program to close, click “End Task,” and repeat as necessary.

Also, if you have downloaded any third-party text editors, uninstall them. To do this, press Win i to open Settings, then select Apps > Installed Apps. Select the ellipsis next to an app and click “Uninstall.”

Set Notepad as the Default Text Editor

If you don’t have Notepad set as the default text editor, text files will open in another application. To set Notepad as the default, press Win i to open Settings and select Apps > Default Apps.

Within the field beneath “Set a default for a file type or link type,” enter the file type you wish to adjust, like .TXT. Click the displayed default app.

Select Notepad and click “Set Default.”

Enable Background Apps

Notepad is a background app in Windows 10, which means it can run in the background even when you’re not using it. If this feature is disabled, it may prevent Notepad from opening properly. To enable background apps:

1. Press Win i to open Settings
2. Select Privacy > Background apps
3. Toggle on “Let apps run in the background”
4. Ensure Notepad is listed under “Choose which apps can run in the background” and that the toggle is set to “On”

Reset Notepad

If none of the above methods work, you can try resetting Notepad to its default settings. Here’s how:

1. Press Win i to open Settings and go to Apps > Installed Apps
2. Locate Notepad, click the ellipsis, and select “Advanced Options”
3. Scroll down to the Reset section and click “Reset”
4. A pop-up will warn you about the action, as it permanently deletes the data from the app. Click “Reset” in the pop-up message to confirm

Now, hopefully, Notepad is back to its default state and error-free.

Run System File Checker

Corrupted system files can hinder the operation of Windows in many ways, including preventing Notepad from opening. To check for and repair corrupted system files, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator
2. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter
3. Wait for the scan to complete
4. If any corrupted files are found, they will be automatically repaired

If the System File Checker is unable to repair the corrupted files, you can try using the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator
2. Type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and press Enter
3. Wait for the process to complete

Once the DISM scan is finished, restart your computer and try opening Notepad again.

Reinstall Notepad

If none of the above methods work, your last resort is to reinstall Notepad. Here’s how:

1. Press Win i to open Settings and go to Apps > Installed Apps
2. Select the ellipsis next to Notepad and click “Uninstall”
3. A pop-up message will warn you about deleting the app data and related information if the app is uninstalled. Click “Uninstall” again to confirm
4. Open the Microsoft Store and search for “Notepad”
5. Select the “Windows Notepad” result and click “Get” to install the app

The download should take only a few moments. Once done, try opening Notepad.