If the Photos app is not working, printing, scrolling, zooming, etc. or is missing or keeps crashing in Windows 11/10, then this post will help you fix the issue. There are instances where Windows 11/10 Photos app fails to show up or goes missing completely when accessed. It can be frustrating, especially when you use it as the default app for viewing or editing your images.
Photos app is not working, is missing, or keeps crashing in Windows 11/10
The Photos app in Windows 11/10 is not just an image viewer but also basic image-editing software that offers tools for making movies and creating albums. You can even add 3D effects like butterflies, lasers, explosions, and more. So, when the app disappears, and you can no longer access it, try doing the following.
- Repair or Reset the Photo app
- Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.
- Clear the Microsoft Store cache.
- Try re-registering the Photos app.
- Try reinstalling the Photos app.
- Use an alternative software.
Let’s explore the above methods in a bit of detail.
1] Repair or Reset the Photo app
First, Repair, and if that does not work then Reset the Photo app and see if that helps you.
You will get that option here –
- Open Settings > Apps > Apps and features.
- Locate the Microsoft Photos app and click on the Advanced options link.
Read: Unable to Save Changes Photos app error in Windows
2] Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter
Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter addresses many of the known apps issues which may be preventing them from running properly on Windows. Run it to fix the problem.
3] Clear the Microsoft Store Cache
You manually clear the cache for Microsoft Store using the built-in command-line tool (WSReset.exe) and see if that works.
Read: Photos App Slideshow option missing
4] Try re-registering the Photos app
Open Windows PowerShell using Cortana or Windows Search.
Right-click on Windows PowerShell and select Run as administrator.
Enter the following command and press Enter key:
Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Allow the command to execute its action.
Close Windows PowerShell.
Read: Windows Photos app not showing all photos
5] Try reinstalling the Photos app
Windows 10 Settings does not offer an option to uninstall the Microsoft Photos app.
To uninstall it, you’ll need to use a PowerShell Command and then, reinstall it again using PowerShell (Make sure you are signed into Windows 10 with an administrator) or directly from the Microsoft Store.
Try reinstalling it directly from the Microsoft Store.
Alternatively, our freeware 10AppsManager will let you easily uninstall and reinstall Windows Store apps.
Use it and see.
Read: Next or Previous arrows missing in the Photos App
6] Use an alternative software
As an alternative, you can use a third-party Free Image and Photo Viewer app.
I hope it helps!
Unable to install Microsoft Photos app
If you’re unable to install the Microsoft Photos app, check for pending Windows updates and install them, as missing or partly-installed updates often block app installations or uninstallations. Next, open the Microsoft Store, clear its cache by running wsreset.exe, and then try downloading Photos again. You can also try signing out and back into the Microsoft Store with your account. Finally, if issues persist, use PowerShell to uninstall its remnants by executing Get-AppxPackage *Photos* -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage and then try and see if you can install it.
Useful reads:
- Photos app is slow to open or not opening
- Photos App keeps crashing with File System error
- There’s nothing to show here error in Photos app
