File Explorer Not Working on Windows 10: Troubleshooting Guide

Is File Explorer giving you headaches on your Windows 10 machine? You’re not alone. Many users encounter issues with File Explorer freezing, crashing, or simply not responding. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various troubleshooting steps to get your File Explorer back on track.

Common Symptoms of File Explorer Issues

Before diving into solutions, let’s identify common symptoms:

  • Freezing: File Explorer becomes unresponsive, and you can’t click or interact with anything.
  • Crashing: File Explorer closes unexpectedly.
  • Slow Performance: File Explorer takes a long time to open folders or perform actions.
  • Error Messages: You might encounter error messages related to File Explorer or specific files.
  • Blank Window: File Explorer opens but displays a blank white window.

Preliminary Checks

Before trying more advanced solutions, perform these basic checks:

  • Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
  • Check for Windows Updates: Ensure your Windows 10 is up to date with the latest updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
  • Run a Virus Scan: Malware can sometimes interfere with File Explorer. Run a full system scan with your antivirus software.

Troubleshooting Steps

If the preliminary checks don’t fix the problem, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Restart File Explorer

The simplest solution is often the most effective. To restart File Explorer:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. In the Processes tab, locate Windows Explorer.
  3. Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart.

This will restart File Explorer without restarting your entire computer.

2. Clear File Explorer History

A corrupted history can sometimes cause issues. Here’s how to clear it:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Click on the View tab.
  3. Click on Options (in the upper right corner).
  4. In the General tab, click Clear next to “Clear File Explorer history”.
  5. Click OK.

3. Disable Quick Access

Quick Access, while convenient, can sometimes be problematic. Try disabling it:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Click on the View tab.
  3. Click on Options (in the upper right corner).
  4. In the General tab, in the “Open File Explorer to:” dropdown, select This PC instead of Quick access.
  5. Uncheck the boxes for “Show recently used files in Quick access” and “Show frequently used folders in Quick access”.
  6. Click Apply and then OK.

4. Run System File Checker (SFC)

The System File Checker (SFC) tool scans for and repairs corrupted system files. Here’s how to run it:

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator. Search for cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time.
  4. Restart your computer.

5. Check for Conflicting Software

Third-party software can sometimes conflict with File Explorer. Try performing a clean boot to identify if any software is causing the problem.

  1. Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
  3. Check the box that says Hide all Microsoft services.
  4. Click Disable all.
  5. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
  6. Disable all startup items in Task Manager.
  7. Close Task Manager and click OK in the System Configuration window.
  8. Restart your computer.

If File Explorer works correctly in clean boot mode, enable services and startup items one by one to identify the conflicting software.

6. Update or Reinstall Display Drivers

Incompatible or outdated display drivers can sometimes cause File Explorer issues. Try updating or reinstalling your display drivers:

  1. Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Display adapters.
  3. Right-click on your graphics card and select Update driver.
  4. Select Search automatically for drivers.

If updating the driver doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. Right-click on your graphics card and select Uninstall device. Then, restart your computer, and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

7. Run DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management)

The DISM tool can repair the Windows image. Here’s how to run it:

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the process to complete. This may take some time.
  4. Restart your computer.

8. Create a New User Account

A corrupted user profile can sometimes cause File Explorer issues. Try creating a new user account to see if the problem persists.

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
  2. Click Add someone else to this PC.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new user account.
  4. Log in to the new user account and check if File Explorer works correctly.

Conclusion

File Explorer issues can be frustrating, but by following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the problem and get back to using your Windows 10 computer without any further interruptions. Remember to start with the simplest solutions first and work your way through the more advanced steps if necessary.