How to fix my Microsoft Photos app not opening on my Windows 10 PC when I click it?

Jed Lowry 70

Yesterday, I noticed that when I went to click to open an Image file on my File Explorer, the usual Microsoft Photo viewer that would appear, didn't. Instead, nothing happened.

My mouse cursor just had the blue loading icon around it for a few seconds but then it stopped.

I tried opening the Microsoft Photos app from the Start menu but that didn't work either.

I searched online for a possible fix for this issue and they recommended I Terminate, Repair and Reset the app. Sadly, none of those options worked for me.

I also tried to do a DISM scan as well as a SFC /scannow to fix any corrupted files and it did come back with a "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them" message.

But still the Microsoft Photos app is still not opening when I click it.

Even running the app as an Administrator doesn't work.

I would greatly appreciate if someone here knew the issue I am experiencing and whether or not their is a solution.

Many thanks in advance,

Jed

J Delisle 20 Reputation points

2025-09-22T21:28:48.5966667+00:00

It would appear the app is temporarily broken due to issues with the app package. Some users on other forums reported functionality returning by uninstalling and installing an older package. You are not the only one struggling, but the unfortunate reality is that the only thing we as consumers have the power to do in this contract is wait.
greyUSBport 15 Reputation points

2025-09-22T23:37:32.7+00:00

I am having the exact same issue with my Photos and Phone Link apps. They both randomly stopped working recently for no apparent reason. Sounds like this is affecting multiple people though. So, hopefully Microsoft is aware and working on a fix.
Wayne Hayes 25 Reputation points

2025-09-24T08:26:18.8233333+00:00

Exactly the same issue for me. Very frustrating
Kika 20 Reputation points

2025-09-24T18:52:29.4966667+00:00

I am having the same issue, can Microsoft please clarify cause of issue and advise on a fix?
seth hambrick 15 Reputation points

2025-09-25T00:46:45.6366667+00:00

Same thing is happening to me. I can open my pictures on things like Microsoft Paint, Adobe Animate, etc. However no matter what I do I can't get microsoft photos to open. Ive tried resetting, reinstalling, using the command prompt reinstall technique, but It simply won't open. Please help! This is very frustrating and I've tried every technique I can find online. This is day 3 for me.
Mickey 15 Reputation points

2025-09-25T05:27:08.07+00:00

The same issue just started for me in the last few days too. I've tried "repair", "reset", uninstall, and installing. The photos app just won't launch anymore. Tried looking to see if it's running in the background somehow through Task Manager and it's not listed. I think Photos may have stopped working after the last update. Really hoping for some help here.
laurent ko 50 Reputation points

2025-09-25T13:35:59.1566667+00:00

J ai le même problème impossible d' ouvrir phone link et photo depuis quelques jours
Brian Hunt 10 Reputation points

2025-09-25T20:26:35.71+00:00

Also having the same problem with Photos and Phone Link which started a few days ago. It sounds like this is a bigger issue than just my installation of Windows 10. Spent a few hours Repairing, Resetting and Reinstalling these apps with no joy (haven't tried the previous version of photos though). Looks like it is a waiting game for MS to fix them. I have signed up for the extra year of support so hopefully it will be fixed!
Ellen Ferris 5 Reputation points

2025-09-28T12:19:43.4566667+00:00

I am having the same issue and none of the suggested fixes which I have tried multiple toimes work.
D Vega 5 Reputation points

2025-09-29T01:21:29.8366667+00:00

Same issue.
I can't believe that such a 'basic' application like the system image viewer has been failing for so many days and that Microsoft hasn't released a fix for it. This all happens to us for accepting operating systems that update mandatorily with open arms.
Mike Whitehouse 0 Reputation points

2025-09-29T14:29:36.6366667+00:00

Exactly same issue. Both .jpg handling and the PhoneLink app have stopped. Can't copy from my phone to the PC manually either. Answer below does not help either- how many of you know haw to uninstall using Powershell?
laurent ko 50 Reputation points

2025-09-29T15:22:19.1533333+00:00

Tape cette commande pour désinstaller phone link: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.YourPhone -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage. Mais sans succès pour moi
Cathy h 0 Reputation points

2025-09-29T18:12:42.5566667+00:00

I am having the same problems.

C and S Alderman ....My first thought was this is a ploy to push me to switch to Windows 11...
Ty Mayer 0 Reputation points

2025-10-04T20:49:37.1466667+00:00

Having the same problem as well. The Copilot app installed on my Windows 10 computer also stopped running. This all happened after the September 9, 2025—KB5065429 (OS Builds 19044.6332 and 19045.6332) update.
Ellen Ferris 5 Reputation points

2025-10-04T21:07:30.3033333+00:00

I've given up after trying the fixes multiple times and installed One Photo Viewer so at least I can open my photos easily now.
Mike Whitehouse 0 Reputation points

2025-10-06T11:29:39.7733333+00:00

Ellen- I have done the same. It seems to work fine! Thank you.
Wayne Hayes 25 Reputation points

2025-10-09T09:02:48.4733333+00:00

Exactly the same issue with the Get Help app today after an update thrown down the pipe. Do MS not test these things? So photos app still out of action and now Get Help. Why are they breaking all their own apps ?
laurent ko 50 Reputation points

2025-10-10T12:27:30.06+00:00

phone link ,photo , obtenir de l aide ,plus rien ne souvre mais que se passe t il et toujours aucune info .
seth hambrick 15 Reputation points

2025-10-15T00:21:27.5233333+00:00

UPDATE. I just upgrated to windows 11 and its still not working I tried all the steps mentioned here and photo simply refuses to cooperate
Brian Hunt 10 Reputation points

2025-10-17T08:34:45.6033333+00:00

Phone Link, Get Help and Photos started working again today in Windows 10.
laurent ko 50 Reputation points

2025-10-17T08:52:26.95+00:00

bonjours tu as eu une mise a jour aujourdhui?
laurent ko 50 Reputation points

2025-10-17T09:00:39.7133333+00:00

ok je viens de recevoir la mise a jour et cela refonctionne aussi
Ellen Ferris 5 Reputation points

2025-10-19T22:05:43.7366667+00:00

Phots app now working again
Walt Yeomans 0 Reputation points

2025-10-21T19:32:40.4+00:00

After the latest update on Oct 15, I have not been able to down load my photos to the computer from my Galaxy 5 phone
Walt Yeomans 0 Reputation points

2025-10-23T19:52:26.6566667+00:00

Iam unable to downlowd my picture from my Galaxy 5 phone. all connections are good
Walt Yeomans 0 Reputation points

2026-03-19T17:58:30.3133333+00:00

When we had an update on computer, the phone app showed no wifi connections it was working great
ARUN CHAND 0 Reputation points

2026-06-28T07:07:25.9666667+00:00

The application is currently experiencing downtime due to issues with the installation package. Discussions across various technical forums indicate that reverting to an older package has temporarily restored functionality. While this is a widespread issue, under our current terms of service, the only available recourse is to wait for an official patch.

Answer accepted by question author

John DeV 170.2K Independent Advisor

Please try this if it helps.

Uninstall Microsoft Photos app again using PowerShell

After that, open Microsoft Edge

Please try to visit https://store.rg-adguard.net/

In the drop-down list menu on the right side, select Retail

Search for:

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9wzdncrfjbh4?hl=en-US&gl=PH

Click the check mark

Download: Microsoft.Windows.Photos_2024.11070.11002.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.msixbundle (605.39 MB)

Double-click the downloaded file to install

Standard Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Jed Lowry 70 Reputation points

2025-09-23T13:09:29.3966667+00:00

Good day, John.

I cannot thank you enough for helping me fix this problem.

It now works perfectly and I am able to view my image files once again.

Thank you so much and I hope you have a great day!

Many thanks,

Jed
Ryan Salisbury 0 Reputation points

2025-09-23T19:03:07.37+00:00

Hi there,

earlier today I tried installing and reinstalling via the Microsoft Store, but it did not work. I saw this response which instructs users to download an older version from https://store.rg-adguard.net/, but I am hesitant to download software from a source which is not an unofficial Microsoft site. I understand we cannot do a lot except from wait until Microsoft update the Photos application, but until then is there anyway this issue can be escalated so a fix is released sooner?

Thanks!
George Hughes 5 Reputation points

2025-09-25T16:55:47.7466667+00:00

Thank you. I tried this and it worked perfectly. But only for 24 hours - then it stopped working and I was back to square one. I am still on Windows 10. Wife on Windows 11 and has no issues. Has this any relevance? Has anyone else had the same experience?

I am now going to try it again and hope it sticks this time!
seth hambrick 15 Reputation points

2025-09-26T00:08:34.26+00:00

I'm wondering if this is Microsoft's tactic to force people to upgrade to windows 10?
B R 0 Reputation points

2025-10-03T11:17:32.37+00:00

Works perfectly! Thank you!
Junxian Li 0 Reputation points

2026-05-17T13:27:36.43+00:00

Thannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnk you bro.

love from China

爱来自中国！ 😍

my oooooooold PC finaly could open the photos.

5 additional answers

John DeV 170.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-22T12:20:36.9466667+00:00
Hi, good day!
- Have you made any changes to your computer recently?
- What is your current Windows operating system and version? Press Windows key+R to open Run then type: winver Press Enter Please take a screenshot of the resulting window and post it in your next response.
Please try the following methods below.
- Update Microsoft Photos app
Open Microsoft Store then click Downloads

Update Microsoft Photos or click Update all
- Uninstall Photos App
Press Windows key + X

Click and Run Windows PowerShell (Admin)

Copy and paste the command below then press Enter
```
get-appxpackage Microsoft.Windows.Photos | remove-appxpackage
```
- Proceed to reinstall Photos App
Go to the Microsoft Store then download and install the Microsoft Photos App

or copy and paste the command below then press Enter
```
Get-AppXPackage Microsoft.Windows.Photos -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
```
Restart your computer

I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Do keep me informed by clicking "Add comment" below.
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Jed Lowry 70 Reputation points

2025-09-23T10:01:32.4833333+00:00

Good day, John.

Thank you so much for getting back to me regarding this issue.

**Have you made any changes to your computer recently?**

Around 4 - 5 days ago I updated my Display adapter, Intel(R) UHD Graphics. However the issue occurred yesterday so I'm not sure if that may be the issue but please tell me if it is! What is your current Windows operating system and version?

My current Windows operating system is Windows 10 Pro and the version is 22H2.

I did try all the methods you kindly gave but sadly the result for when I go to open the Microsoft Photos app is that the Photo Viewer does not appear or open.

I do want to tell you that I recently watched to see what happens when I open the Microsoft Photos app on my Task Manager. As soon as I open it, I see the Photos.exe pop up, but within 2 - 1 seconds it immediately disappears and crashes.

When I go to expand the instance, it shows a "COM Surrogate" file running. Is that normal?

Thank you for willing to collaborate with me to solve this issue and I hope that the problem is solved.

Many thanks,

Jed

Mike Whitehouse 0 Reputation points

2025-10-04T09:39:51.5833333+00:00

I'm having the same experience, John. I've followed your instructions above- uninstalling via Powershell, restarting, reinstalling. Photos app appears in the menu but does not respond. App version is 2025.11090.30001.0. Windows is 10Pro, 22H2. OS 19045.6390. jpg's will not open in Photos but will open in Paint.
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How to fix my Microsoft Photos app not opening on my Windows 10 PC when I click it?

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