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Repair apps that aren’t working properly windows

Repair Apps That Aren’t Working Properly in Windows: A Troubleshooting Guide

Applications are the backbone of our daily computing, but sometimes they can misbehave – crashing, freezing, or simply not launching. When you encounter such issues, knowing how to Repair apps that aren’t working properly windows is crucial for getting back to productivity. This guide provides a comprehensive set of troubleshooting steps for both Microsoft Store apps and traditional desktop applications in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Common Reasons Why Apps Misbehave

Understanding why an app isn’t working correctly can help in pinpointing the right solution.

Corrupted App Files

App files can become corrupted due to various reasons, including improper shutdowns, disk errors, or malware infections.

Outdated Apps or Windows

An outdated application or an outdated version of Windows can lead to compatibility issues and bugs.

Software Conflicts

Newly installed software or even existing applications can sometimes conflict with each other, causing one or more apps to malfunction.

Insufficient Permissions

Some apps require specific permissions to run correctly. If these are not granted, the app might fail to launch or operate as expected.

Problems with App Services or Dependencies

Many apps rely on background services or other software components. If these dependencies are not working, the app itself may fail.

Preliminary Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into more complex solutions, try these basic steps:

Restart Your Computer

A simple reboot can often resolve temporary glitches and conflicts that might be causing an app to misbehave.

Check for Windows Updates

Ensuring your Windows operating system is up to date is vital, as updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve app issues.

  1. Go to Settings (Windows Key + I).
  2. Select Windows Update (Windows 11) or Update & Security > Windows Update (Windows 10).
  3. Click “Check for updates” and install any available updates. Restart your PC if prompted.

Check for App Updates

  • For Microsoft Store apps:
    1. Open the Microsoft Store app.
    2. Click on Library (usually in the bottom-left or top-right).
    3. Click “Get updates”. Install any available updates for the problematic app.
  • For desktop apps: Check the app’s own settings menu (often under “Help” or “About”) for an “Check for updates” option, or visit the software developer’s website.

How to Repair Apps That Aren’t Working Properly in Windows

If the preliminary steps don’t resolve the issue, Windows provides several built-in tools and methods to fix problematic apps.

Method 1: Using the Repair Option in Settings

This option attempts to fix the app without losing any of its data. It’s primarily available for Microsoft Store apps and some desktop applications that support it.

  1. Click the Start button and select Settings (the gear icon ⚙️).
  2. Go to Apps.
  3. Select Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10).
  4. Find the app that isn’t working correctly in the list.
  5. Click on the three dots (More options) next to the app name (Windows 11) or click directly on the app (Windows 10).
  6. Select “Advanced options”. (If this option isn’t available, the app doesn’t support this feature, and you should try other methods).
  7. Scroll down to the “Reset” section. If a “Repair” button is available, click it.
  8. Windows will attempt to repair the app. Wait for the process to complete and then try launching the app again.

Method 2: Using the Reset Option in Settings

If repairing the app doesn’t work, resetting it might. Resetting an app will reinstall it and revert it to its default settings. This will delete the app’s data, such as sign-in details, preferences, and saved information within the app.

  1. Follow steps 1-6 from Method 1 to get to the “Advanced options” page for the app.
  2. In the “Reset” section, click the “Reset” button.
  3. A warningmodations will appear stating that the app’s data will be deleted. Click “Reset” again to confirm.
  4. Once the reset is complete, try opening the app.

Method 3: Running the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows includes a troubleshooter specifically designed to fix problems with Microsoft Store apps.

  1. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot (Windows 11) or Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot (Windows 10).
  2. Click on “Other troubleshooters” (Windows 11) or “Additional troubleshooters” (Windows 10).
  3. Scroll down and find “Windows Store Apps”.
  4. Click “Run” (Windows 11) or click on the troubleshooter and then “Run the troubleshooter” (Windows 10).
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Method 4: Reinstalling the App

If repair and reset options fail or are unavailable, reinstalling the app can often resolve persistent issues.

  • For Microsoft Store apps:
    1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features).
    2. Find the app, click the three dots (or click the app), and select “Uninstall”. Confirm the uninstallation.
    3. Open the Microsoft Store, search for the app, and reinstall it.
  • For desktop apps:
    1. Go to Control Panel (you can search for it in the Start menu).
    2. Under “Programs,” click “Uninstall a program”.
    3. Find the app in the list, select it, and click “Uninstall” (or “Uninstall/Change”). Follow the prompts.
    4. Download the latest version of the app from the developer’s official website and reinstall it.

Method 5: Checking for Software Conflicts (Clean Boot)

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help you determine if a background program is interfering with the app.

  • Search for “System Configuration” or msconfig in the Start menu and open it.
  • Go to the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services”, and then click “Disable all”.
  • Go to the Startup tab and click “Open Task Manager”. Disable all startup items.
  • Restart your PC and see if the app works. If it does, you can re-enable services and startup items one by one (or in groups) to identify the culprit. Remember to re-enable them after troubleshooting.

Method 6: Using System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupted system files can affect app functionality.

  1. Open Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell as an administrator (right-click Start, select “Terminal (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”).
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete.
  3. If SFC finds issues but can’t fix them, or if problems persist, run DISM. Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Restart your PC after the DISM commands complete.

Specific Tips for Desktop Apps (Non-Store Apps)

Run as Administrator

Some older desktop apps or those requiring higher privileges might need to be run as an administrator. Right-click the app’s shortcut or executable file and select “Run as administrator”.

Check Compatibility Mode

If an older desktop app isn’t working well on Windows 11/10:

  1. Right-click the app’s executable file or shortcut and select “Properties”.
  2. Go to the “Compatibility” tab.
  3. Check “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and select an older version of Windows (e.g., Windows 8 or Windows 7).
  4. You can also try other options on this tab, like “Run this program as an administrator”. Click “Apply” and “OK”.

Look for a Repair Option in Control Panel (Programs and Features)

Some desktop applications have their own repair functionality accessible through the Control Panel.

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Go to Programs > Uninstall a program.
  3. Select the problematic app from the list.
  4. Look for a “Repair” or “Change” option at the top of the list (or by right-clicking). If available, select it and follow the prompts.

When to Seek Further Help

If you’ve tried all the above steps and your app still isn’t working, the issue might be more complex. Consider:

  • Checking the app developer’s website for known issues or specific support forums.
  • Performing a System Restore to a point when the app was working (if you have restore points enabled).
  • Contacting Microsoft Support or a qualified IT professional.

Conclusion

When you need to Repair apps that aren’t working properly windows, there are numerous built-in tools and techniques at your disposal. By systematically trying these solutions, from simple restarts and updates to more advanced repair and reset options, you can often resolve app-related issues and restore full functionality to your Windows experience.