File Explorer, also known as Windows Explorer, is an essential component of the Windows operating system. It allows users to navigate, access, and manage files and folders on their computer. However, like any other software, File Explorer is not immune to problems. If File Explorer is not working correctly, it can lead to frustration and productivity loss. In this article, we will delve into common issues with File Explorer and provide step-by-step solutions to fix them.
Common Issues with File Explorer
Before we dive into the troubleshooting process, let’s identify some common issues users face with File Explorer:
File Explorer Not Responding or Freezing
One of the most frustrating issues is when File Explorer becomes unresponsive or freezes. This can happen due to various reasons, including:
- Overloaded system resources
- Corrupt system files
- Malware infections
- Conflicting software
File Explorer Crashing or Closing Unexpectedly
File Explorer may crash or close unexpectedly, making it difficult to access files and folders. This issue can be caused by:
- Faulty system drivers
- Corrupted system files
- Incompatible software
- Hardware issues
Files and Folders Not Displaying Correctly
Sometimes, File Explorer may not display files and folders correctly. This can be due to:
- Incorrect folder settings
- Corrupted file system
- Malware infections
- Incompatible software
Search Function Not Working
The search function in File Explorer may not work as expected, making it difficult to find files and folders. This issue can be caused by:
- Corrupted index files
- Disabled search functionality
- Incompatible software
- Malware infections
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix File Explorer
Now that we’ve identified some common issues with File Explorer, let’s move on to the troubleshooting steps to fix them.
Restart File Explorer
The simplest solution to many File Explorer issues is to restart it. To do this:
- Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager, click on the “More details” button at the bottom left corner.
- Scroll down to the “Windows Explorer” or “File Explorer” process and click on it.
- Click the “Restart” button at the bottom right corner.
Disable and Re-enable File Explorer
Disabling and re-enabling File Explorer can often resolve issues. To do this:
- Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type taskkill /im explorer.exe /f and press Enter to disable File Explorer.
- Wait for a few seconds and then type explorer.exe to re-enable File Explorer.
Run the System File Checker Tool
The System File Checker (SFC) tool can help fix corrupted system files that may be causing issues with File Explorer. To run the SFC tool:
- Press the Windows + X keys and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
- Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
- The SFC tool will scan and repair corrupted system files.
Run the DISM Tool
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool can help fix corrupted system files and registry entries. To run the DISM tool:
- Press the Windows + X keys and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
- Type dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth and press Enter.
- The DISM tool will scan and repair corrupted system files and registry entries.
Check for Windows Updates
Ensuring that Windows is up-to-date can often resolve issues with File Explorer. To check for Windows updates:
- Press the Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.
- Click on “Update & Security”.
- Click on “Check for updates”.
- Install any available updates.
Check for Malware Infections
Malware infections can cause issues with File Explorer. Run a full system scan using an anti-virus software to detect and remove any malware infections.
Disable Problematic Extensions
Problematic extensions can cause issues with File Explorer. To disable extensions:
- Press the Windows + E keys to open File Explorer.
- Click on “View” in the top menu bar.
- Click on “Options” in the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “View” tab in the Folder Options window.
- Uncheck the boxes next to any extensions you want to disable.
Re-register File Explorer Components
Re-registering File Explorer components can often resolve issues. To do this:
- Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type powershell and press Enter to open PowerShell.
- Type Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers |Where-Object {$.InstallLocation -like “SystemApps“} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($.InstallLocation)}* and press Enter.
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
If the above troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to perform some advanced troubleshooting.
System Restore
If you’ve made recent changes to your system and suspect that they may be causing issues with File Explorer, you can try performing a System Restore. To do this:
- Press the Windows + S keys to open the Search bar.
- Type System Restore and select the “Create a restore point” option.
- Follow the prompts to select a restore point and complete the restoration process.
Safe Mode
Booting your system in Safe Mode can help isolate the problem. To boot in Safe Mode:
- Press the Windows + X keys and select “Shutdown or sign out”.
- Click on “Restart” while holding the Shift key.
- Select “Troubleshoot” in the Windows Recovery Environment.
- Click on “Advanced options”.
- Click on “Startup Settings”.
- Click on “Restart”.
- Press the F4 key to boot in Safe Mode.
Event Viewer
The Event Viewer can provide valuable information about system errors and crashes. To access the Event Viewer:
- Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type eventvwr and press Enter.
- Navigate to the “Windows Logs” section.
- Look for errors related to File Explorer and take note of the error codes.
Conclusion
File Explorer is a critical component of the Windows operating system, and issues with it can be frustrating. However, by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to fix common issues with File Explorer. Remember to restart File Explorer, disable and re-enable it, run the SFC and DISM tools, check for Windows updates, check for malware infections, disable problematic extensions, and re-register File Explorer components. If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to perform advanced troubleshooting such as system restore, booting in Safe Mode, and using the Event Viewer.
Why does File Explorer keep crashing on my Windows 10 PC?
File Explorer crashing can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re in the middle of important work. There are several reasons why File Explorer might be crashing on your Windows 10 PC. It could be due to a corrupt system file, a faulty driver, or even a malware infection.
To troubleshoot the issue, try restarting File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Task Manager. In the Task Manager, navigate to the “Processes” tab, find “Windows Explorer” and click on it, and then click on the “Restart” button. If the issue persists, try running the System File Checker tool to scan and repair corrupt system files. You can also try booting your PC in Safe Mode to isolate the issue.
How can I fix the “File Explorer not responding” error?
The “File Explorer not responding” error can occur due to various reasons, including a high CPU usage, a faulty add-on, or a system file corruption. When you encounter this error, File Explorer might freeze or become unresponsive, making it difficult to access your files and folders.
To fix the issue, try closing and reopening File Explorer. If the problem persists, try restarting your PC and then try to open File Explorer again. You can also try disabling any recently installed add-ons or extensions that might be causing the issue. Additionally, try running the built-in Windows troubleshooter to identify and fix any system file corruption that might be causing the error.
What should I do if File Explorer won’t open at all?
If File Explorer won’t open at all, it can be a serious issue that prevents you from accessing your files and folders. This problem can occur due to a corrupted system file, a faulty registry entry, or even a malware infection.
To troubleshoot the issue, try pressing the Windows key + E to open File Explorer. If it doesn’t open, try restarting your PC and then try to open File Explorer again. If the problem persists, try running the System File Checker tool to scan and repair corrupt system files. You can also try creating a new user account to isolate the issue and see if the problem occurs in the new account.
How can I fix the “File Explorer not showing files” issue?
The “File Explorer not showing files” issue can occur due to various reasons, including a corrupted file system, a faulty display driver, or even a malware infection. When you encounter this issue, File Explorer might not display your files and folders, making it difficult to access them.
To fix the issue, try restarting File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Task Manager. In the Task Manager, navigate to the “Processes” tab, find “Windows Explorer” and click on it, and then click on the “Restart” button. If the problem persists, try checking the folder options to ensure that the “Hidden items” checkbox is selected. You can also try running the built-in Windows troubleshooter to identify and fix any system file corruption that might be causing the error.
Why is File Explorer taking so long to load?
File Explorer taking a long time to load can be frustrating, especially when you need to access your files and folders quickly. This issue can occur due to various reasons, including a large number of files, a slow disk, or even a malware infection.
To troubleshoot the issue, try restarting File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Task Manager. In the Task Manager, navigate to the “Processes” tab, find “Windows Explorer” and click on it, and then click on the “Restart” button. If the problem persists, try optimizing your disk by running the Disk Cleanup tool to remove temporary files and other system junk. You can also try disabling any recently installed add-ons or extensions that might be causing the issue.
How can I fix the “File Explorer not updating” issue?
The “File Explorer not updating” issue can occur due to various reasons, including a corrupted system file, a faulty driver, or even a malware infection. When you encounter this issue, File Explorer might not reflect the latest changes you made to your files and folders.
To fix the issue, try restarting File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Task Manager. In the Task Manager, navigate to the “Processes” tab, find “Windows Explorer” and click on it, and then click on the “Restart” button. If the problem persists, try running the System File Checker tool to scan and repair corrupt system files. You can also try checking the folder options to ensure that the “Auto refresh” checkbox is selected.
What should I do if File Explorer is not displaying thumbnails?
File Explorer not displaying thumbnails can make it difficult to visually identify your files and folders. This issue can occur due to various reasons, including a corrupted system file, a faulty display driver, or even a malware infection.
To troubleshoot the issue, try restarting File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Task Manager. In the Task Manager, navigate to the “Processes” tab, find “Windows Explorer” and click on it, and then click on the “Restart” button. If the problem persists, try checking the folder options to ensure that the “Display file icon on thumbnails” checkbox is selected. You can also try running the built-in Windows troubleshooter to identify and fix any system file corruption that might be causing the error.