How to Fix Notepad Not Opening on Windows 11

With Windows 11, Microsoft released a new version of Notepad. The new Notepad includes a tabbed layout and a distinct appearance. Despite its usefulness, many users encounter issues with the new Notepad software for Windows 11.

Many Windows 11 users have recently complained that Notepad won’t open. Users claim that there is no action taken when they open the Notepad application from the Start Menu or Windows Search. See what you can do to resolve the issue if you are also having trouble with Notepad not launching with Windows 11.

1. Restart your Windows 11 PC
Restarting your computer is the first step in fixing the Notepad not opening problem. The notepad application may occasionally not open on your smartphone owing to bugs and problems.

You only need to restart your Windows 11 PC to get rid of these transient issues. Click the Windows 11 Start button > Power Menu to restart Windows 11. Click on the Power Menu and choose Restart.

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On your desktop, you can also use the ALT + F4 key. This will bring up the Shutdown menu. Click OK after choosing Restart from the drop-down menu. Your Windows 11 PC will restart instantly as a result.

After the restart, open the Notepad app again. This time, you can use the word processing tool without any problem.

2. Restart the Windows Explorer Process
The Windows Explorer has no direct link with the Notepad on Windows 11, but the process can interfere with many apps. If Windows Explorer is not responding, no matter how often you try, the apps won’t launch or fail to respond.

Restarting the Windows Explorer Process has helped many users resolve the Notepad not opening issue on Windows 11. So, before you try the next methods, follow these steps to restart Windows Explorer on Windows 11.

1. Type Task Manager on the Windows 11 Search. Next, open the Task Manager app from the list of relevant apps.

2. When the Task Manager opens, switch to the Processes tab.

3. Find & right click on the Windows Explorer. On the context menu, select Restart.

3. Close Notepad Alternative Applications
If you use other word processing tools like Notepad++ or similar apps, it’s best to close them and try.

Notepad official apps may fail to launch because of interference from other similar apps on your PC. So, open the Task Manager on your Windows 11 PC and look for Notepad alternative apps.

Once you find any Notepad alternative running in the background, right-click on the app & select End task. After closing the similar apps, launch the Notepad app again from the Windows 11 search.

4. Launch Notepad from the System32/SysWOW64 folder
If you cannot launch Notepad from the context menu, Windows Search, or any other means, you must launch it from the System32 folder. If you use a 32-bit OS, you must reach the System32 folder.

Users on 64-bit computers must navigate to the SysWOW64 folder on the OS installation drive.

1. Open the File Explorer on your Windows 11 PC. Now navigate to this path:

C:\WINDOWS\System32

1. On the System32 folder, find the Notepad application.

2. Once you find the Notepad application, double-click on it to launch.

5. Perform a Clean Boot
It’s possible that background services and processes are preventing Notepad from opening on your PC. If this is the problem, you need to perform a clean boot.

If the Notepad opens after clean boot, you need to find & remove the problem conflicting with the Notepad. Here’s what you need to do.

1. Press the Windows Key + R button to open the RUN dialog box. When the RUN dialog box opens, type msconfig.msc and press Enter.

2. On the System Configuration, switch to the Services.

3. Check the Hide All Microsoft Services checkbox and click Disable All.

4. Open Task Manager and navigate to the Startup tab. Right click on the Startup programs and select Disable.

5. After making the changes, restart your PC.

This will perform a clean boot. Now you need to check whether Notepad is opening; if it opens, you need to find & remove the conflicting program.

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6. Update Windows 11
If Notepad still does not open on your computer, you should update your PC. Keeping Windows 11 up-to-date is very important as it brings many new features, security patches, and bug fixes.

Keeping the operating system & apps updated all the time is a good practice, and you should make it a habit. Chances are that Windows 11 is failing to open Notepad just because of a system-level bug or glitch.

So, open the Settings app on Windows 11 and navigate to Windows Update > Check for updates. This will download and install all pending Windows 11 updates.

7. Run SFC & DISM Command
Windows 11 not opening Notepad issue can also appear due to corrupted system files. You can fix all corrupted system files by running the SFC/DISM Commands. Here are the commands you need to use.

1. Type Command Prompt on the Windows 11 Start button. Right-click on the CMD app and select Run as administrator.

2. When the Command Prompt opens, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

3. If the SFC command returns with an error, execute these commands individually.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After executing all these commands, restart your Windows 11 computer. This should fix Notepad not opening on Windows 11 issue.

8. Repair or Reset the Notepad App
Since Notepad is a native application, you can repair or reset it if it’s not working. Here’s how to repair or reset the Notepad app on your Windows 11 computer.

1. Click on the Windows 11 Start button and select Settings.

2. When the Settings app opens, navigate to the Apps > Installed apps.

3. On the list of installed apps, find the Notepad application.

4. Click on the three dots next to the Notepad and select Advanced Options.

5. On the next screen, click on the Repair button.

6. Once the repair is completed, launch Notepad. If repairing didn’t help, click on the Reset button.

9. Reinstall the Notepad Application
If nothing has worked in your favor until now to fix Notepad not opening on Windows 11, the last option is to reinstall the Notepad application. Here’s how you can reinstall the Notepad app on Windows 11.

1. Click on Windows 11 Search and type Optional Features. Next, open the Optional Features from the Best Match Results.

2. Now, search for Notepad (system). Expand it & click on Uninstall.

3. Once uninstalled, click the View Features button in the Add an optional Features section.

4. On the Add an optional feature, search for Notepad.

5. Select the Notepad (system) and click on Next.

6. On the next screen, click on the Install button.

Restoring the operating system to a previous state is another way to fix Notepad not opening on Windows. If you have Windows 11 system restore points on hand, you can accomplish this. The last resort is to reset the Windows 11 computer.

It can be annoying when Notepad won’t launch in Windows 11, particularly if you depend on word processing software for everyday tasks. Nevertheless, you can quickly resolve the issue of Notepad not launching on Windows 11 by using our provided solutions. Tell us which of the following fixes for Notepad not opening on Windows 11 works for you. Learn More