How to Fix Windows Photo Viewer Not Working in Windows 10

If you’re having trouble with Windows Photo Viewer not opening images in Windows 10, don’t worry – there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to get it working again. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of diagnosing and fixing common issues with Windows Photo Viewer.

Check for Updates

One of the first things to try when Windows Photo Viewer isn’t working is checking for updates to your Windows operating system. Microsoft regularly releases updates that include bug fixes and performance improvements, so it’s always a good idea to make sure your system is up to date.

To check for updates, open the Settings app and go to Update & Security. Click the “Check for updates” button and install any available updates. Once the updates are installed, restart your computer and see if Windows Photo Viewer is working properly.

Reset the Photos App

If checking for updates doesn’t fix the issue, you can try resetting the Photos app. This will restore the app to its default settings without deleting your personal data.

To reset the Photos app:

1. Open the Settings app and go to Apps & Features.
2. Find “Photos” in the list of apps and select it.
3. Click the “Advanced options” button.
4. Scroll down to the “Reset” section and click the “Reset” button.
5. Confirm that you want to reset the app and wait for the process to complete.

Once the reset is finished, restart your computer and try opening an image in Windows Photo Viewer.

Repair Windows Photo Viewer

If resetting the Photos app doesn’t work, you can try repairing Windows Photo Viewer itself. This process will reinstall the app and fix any corrupted files.

To repair Windows Photo Viewer:

1. Open the Settings app and go to Apps & Features.
2. Find “Photos” in the list of apps and select it.
3. Click the “Advanced options” button.
4. Scroll down to the “Repair” section and click the “Repair” button.
5. Wait for the repair process to complete and restart your computer.

After the repair is finished, try opening an image in Windows Photo Viewer again.

Reinstall Windows Photo Viewer

If none of the above steps work, you can try reinstalling Windows Photo Viewer. This will remove the app and its associated files, and then reinstall a fresh copy.

To reinstall Windows Photo Viewer:

1. Open the Settings app and go to Apps & Features.
2. Find “Photos” in the list of apps and select it.
3. Click the “Uninstall” button.
4. Confirm that you want to uninstall the app.
5. Once the uninstall process is complete, restart your computer.
6. Open the Microsoft Store app and search for “Photos”.
7. Click the “Get” button to install the Photos app.

After the installation is finished, try opening an image in Windows Photo Viewer.

If you’ve tried all of these steps and Windows Photo Viewer still isn’t working, there may be a more serious issue with your system that requires further troubleshooting. In that case, it’s best to contact Microsoft Support for assistance.