Are you tired of dealing with crashing apps on your Windows 10 device? You’re not alone. App crashes can be frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of something important. Fortunately, there are several ways to troubleshoot and fix crashing apps on Windows 10. In this article, we’ll explore the common causes of app crashes and provide step-by-step solutions to get your apps up and running smoothly again.
Common Causes of App Crashes on Windows 10
Before we dive into the fixes, it’s essential to understand why apps crash in the first place. Here are some common causes of app crashes on Windows 10:
Outdated or Corrupt App Data
Outdated or corrupt app data can cause apps to crash or malfunction. This can happen when an app’s data becomes damaged or incompatible with the latest version of the app or operating system.
Insufficient System Resources
If your device lacks sufficient system resources such as RAM, CPU, or storage space, apps may crash or freeze. This is especially true for resource-intensive apps like video editing software or games.
Incompatible App Configurations
Incompatible app configurations can cause apps to crash or malfunction. This can happen when an app is not optimized for your device’s hardware or software configuration.
Windows 10 Update Issues
Windows 10 updates can sometimes cause app crashes or compatibility issues. This can happen when an update introduces a bug or incompatibility with a specific app.
Malware or Virus Infections
Malware or virus infections can cause apps to crash or malfunction. This can happen when malware or viruses corrupt or damage app files or registry entries.
Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix Crashing Apps on Windows 10
Now that we’ve explored the common causes of app crashes, let’s dive into the step-by-step solutions to fix crashing apps on Windows 10.
Restart the App or Device
The simplest solution to fix a crashing app is to restart the app or device. This can often resolve the issue by closing and reopening the app or rebooting the device.
How to Restart an App
- Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager, click on the Processes tab.
- Find the crashing app in the list of processes.
- Right-click on the app and select End Task.
- Wait for a few seconds and then reopen the app.
How to Restart Your Device
- Click on the Start button and select Power.
- Click on Restart to reboot your device.
Update the App
Updating the app can often resolve issues caused by outdated or corrupt app data. Here’s how to update an app:
How to Update an App
- Open the Microsoft Store app.
- Click on the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner of the store window.
- Select Downloads and updates.
- Check for updates for the crashing app.
- Click Update to download and install the latest version of the app.
Disable App Extensions or Add-ons
App extensions or add-ons can sometimes cause apps to crash. Disabling them can help resolve the issue. Here’s how:
How to Disable App Extensions or Add-ons
- Open the Settings app.
- Click on System.
- Click on Default apps.
- Find the crashing app in the list of default apps.
- Click on the app to open its settings.
- Look for the Extensions or Add-ons section.
- Toggle the switch to Off to disable the extensions or add-ons.
Reset App Settings
Resetting app settings can help resolve issues caused by incompatible app configurations. Here’s how:
How to Reset App Settings
- Open the Settings app.
- Click on System.
- Click on Default apps.
- Find the crashing app in the list of default apps.
- Click on the app to open its settings.
- Look for the Reset or Restore defaults button.
- Click on the button to reset the app settings to their default values.
Check for Windows 10 Updates
Checking for Windows 10 updates can help resolve issues caused by update issues. Here’s how:
How to Check for Windows 10 Updates
- Click on the Start button and select Settings.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Check for updates.
- Wait for Windows 10 to check for and download updates.
- Install the updates to resolve any compatibility issues.
Run the Windows 10 App Troubleshooter
The Windows 10 App Troubleshooter is a built-in tool that can help resolve app crashes and other issues. Here’s how to run the troubleshooter:
How to Run the Windows 10 App Troubleshooter
- Click on the Start button and select Settings.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Troubleshoot.
- Scroll down and click on Additional troubleshooters.
- Click on Windows Store Apps.
- Click on Run the troubleshooter.
- Follow the prompts to complete the troubleshooting process.
Perform a System File Checker Scan
A System File Checker (SFC) scan can help resolve issues caused by corrupt system files. Here’s how to perform an SFC scan:
How to Perform an SFC Scan
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow. - Wait for the SFC scan to complete.
- Follow the prompts to resolve any issues found during the scan.
Perform a DISM Scan
A DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scan can help resolve issues caused by corrupt system files and registry entries. Here’s how to perform a DISM scan:
How to Perform a DISM Scan
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth. - Wait for the DISM scan to complete.
- Follow the prompts to resolve any issues found during the scan.
Reinstall the App
Reinstalling the app can help resolve issues caused by corrupt app files or registry entries. Here’s how:
How to Reinstall an App
- Open the Microsoft Store app.
- Click on the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner of the store window.
- Select My Library.
- Find the crashing app in the list of installed apps.
- Click on the app to open its details page.
- Click on the Uninstall button to uninstall the app.
- Wait for the uninstallation process to complete.
- Click on the Install button to reinstall the app.
Seek Further Assistance
If none of the above solutions work, you may need to seek further assistance from the app developer or Microsoft support. You can also try resetting your device or performing a clean install of Windows 10 as a last resort.
In conclusion, fixing crashing apps on Windows 10 can be a frustrating experience, but there are several solutions to try before seeking further assistance. By restarting the app or device, updating the app, disabling app extensions or add-ons, resetting app settings, checking for Windows 10 updates, running the Windows 10 App Troubleshooter, performing an SFC scan, performing a DISM scan, reinstalling the app, and seeking further assistance, you can troubleshoot and fix crashing apps on Windows 10.
Why do apps keep crashing on my Windows 10 PC?
Apps can crash on your Windows 10 PC due to various reasons such as corrupted system files, outdated software, driver issues, or even malware infections. Sometimes, apps may crash due to incompatibility issues with the operating system or other software installed on your device. Additionally, running multiple resource-intensive programs simultaneously can also cause apps to crash.
To troubleshoot the issue, try restarting your PC and checking for updates to the operating system and software. Run a virus scan to detect and remove any malware that may be causing the crash. You can also try disabling any recently installed software or drivers to see if they are causing the issue.
How do I stop an app from crashing on startup?
If an app is crashing on startup, try restarting your PC and then launch the app again. If the issue persists, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app to see if that resolves the problem. You can also try running the app in compatibility mode or as an administrator to see if that helps.
Another approach is to check the event viewer logs to see if there are any error messages related to the app. This can give you an idea of what’s causing the crash and help you troubleshoot the issue. You can also try updating the app or rolling back to a previous version if the latest update is causing the issue.
What is the Windows 10 App Troubleshooter and how do I use it?
The Windows 10 App Troubleshooter is a built-in tool that helps troubleshoot and fix issues with apps installed on your device. To use it, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot, and then click on “Additional troubleshooters”. From there, you can select the app that’s causing the issue and follow the prompts to run the troubleshooter.
The troubleshooter will scan your device and attempt to fix any issues it detects. This may involve updating the app, reinstalling it, or fixing any corrupted files. Follow the instructions provided by the troubleshooter to complete the troubleshooting process.
How do I use the Task Manager to close a crashing app?
To use the Task Manager to close a crashing app, press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously to open the Task Manager. Then, click on the “Processes” tab and look for the app that’s causing the issue. Select the app and click the “End Task” button to close it.
If the app is not responding, you may need to use the “End Process” button instead. Be cautious when using this option as it can cause data loss or other issues if used improperly. Once you’ve closed the app, try restarting it to see if the issue is resolved.
What are some common errors that can cause apps to crash?
Some common errors that can cause apps to crash include runtime errors, memory errors, and DLL errors. These errors can occur due to various reasons such as corrupted system files, outdated software, or driver issues. Other errors that can cause apps to crash include syntax errors, logic errors, and configuration errors.
To troubleshoot these errors, try checking the event viewer logs to see if there are any error messages related to the app. You can also try updating the app or reinstalling it to see if that resolves the issue. Additionally, running a system file checker tool can help identify and fix any corrupted system files that may be causing the issue.
How do I roll back a Windows 10 update that’s causing apps to crash?
To roll back a Windows 10 update that’s causing apps to crash, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and then click on “Update history”. From there, you can select the update that’s causing the issue and click the “Uninstall” button to roll it back.
Once you’ve rolled back the update, restart your PC and try launching the app again to see if the issue is resolved. If the issue persists, you can try rolling back to a previous version of Windows 10 or seeking assistance from Microsoft support.
Can I use System Restore to fix crashing apps on Windows 10?
Yes, you can use System Restore to fix crashing apps on Windows 10. System Restore allows you to revert your PC to a previous point in time when the apps were working correctly. To use System Restore, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and then click on “Open System Restore”.
From there, select a restore point that was created before the issue occurred and follow the prompts to complete the restore process. This will revert your PC to a previous state, which may resolve the issue with the crashing apps. Be sure to create a new restore point after the restore process is complete to ensure you can revert back to the current state if needed.