How to Fix App Not Working on Windows 11

 

When you're using Windows 11, you may encounter situations where an app is not opening or is malfunctioning for various reasons. Fortunately, you can reset apps to their default settings to resolve these common issues. This process can be done in a couple of ways, primarily through the Settings app or PowerShell. In this guide, I’ll walk you through both methods so you can effectively reset your apps.

Understanding the Reset Process

Resetting an app can help you fix problems without uninstalling it. Here are the options you have when resetting an app:

• Repair: This option attempts to fix issues without affecting the app’s data, making it a good first step.
• Reset: This option deletes the app’s data, including any settings or configurations you’ve made, reverting it to its original state.

Method 1: Resetting Apps Through the Settings App

Step 01: Open Settings
Start by opening the Settings app on your Windows 11 computer. You can do this by clicking on the Start menu and selecting Settings, or by pressing Windows + I.

Step 02: Navigate to Apps
In the Settings window, click on the Apps section from the left sidebar.

Step 03: Access Installed Apps
Next, select the Installed apps tab to see a list of all the applications installed on your system.

Step 04: Select the App to Reset
Scroll through the list and locate the app you want to reset. Click on the app to highlight it.

Step 05: Open Advanced Options
Click on the menu button (three-dot icon) located on the left side of the app listing. From the dropdown menu, select Advanced options.

Step 06: Repair or Reset the App
You will now see options to Repair or Reset the app:

• Option 1: Click the Repair button to attempt to fix issues without deleting any app data.
• Option 2: If the repair doesn’t resolve the problem, click the Reset button. This action will delete the app’s data and reset it to its default settings.

Method 2: Resetting Apps Using PowerShell

If you need to reset an app that the Settings app does not support, you can use PowerShell.

Step 01: Open PowerShell
Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin) to open the terminal with administrative privileges.

Step 02: Execute the Reset Command
In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:

Get-AppxPackage *AppName* | Reset-AppxPackage

Replace *AppName* with the name of the application you want to reset. For example, if you want to reset the "Calculator" app, use Get-AppxPackage *Calculator* | Reset-AppxPackage.

Conclusion

After completing the reset process using either method, the app's data will be deleted according to the reset option you selected. When you launch the app again, you may need to log in again and reconfigure your settings.

These steps can help you resolve common app issues on Windows 11 efficiently, ensuring a smoother user experience. If you encounter persistent problems, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the app as a last resort.