Troubleshooting Windows 11 Settings: Fix Freezing, Opening, and Functionality Issues

Table of Contents

• Windows Settings App Not Opening or Working: Effective Solutions¶
• Additional Tips if the Problem Persists¶

It has been observed that some users encounter problems with the Settings app in both Windows 11 and Windows 10. These issues can manifest in various ways, such as the app failing to open, freezing unexpectedly, or not functioning as expected. When the Settings app malfunctions, it can significantly hinder a user’s ability to customize their system, manage updates, and control various aspects of their Windows experience. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps that can be employed to address these problems and restore the Settings app to its proper working order. This article will guide you through a comprehensive set of solutions to help you resolve issues with the Windows Settings app.

Windows Settings App Not Opening or Working: Effective Solutions¶

If you are experiencing difficulties with the Windows Settings application – whether it refuses to open, becomes unresponsive, freezes, or fails to launch altogether – the following suggestions provide a structured approach to resolving these issues. These methods range from simple resets to more advanced system recovery options, ensuring a thorough troubleshooting process to get your Settings app back on track.

1. Reset the Settings App
2. Run System File Checker
3. Create a New User Account
4. Run System Restore
5. Troubleshoot in Clean Boot State
6. Reinstall the Settings App
7. Reset Windows 11/10 via Windows Recovery Menu
8. Reset Windows 11/10 in Safe Mode
9. Run Troubleshooter from Microsoft (Historical Context)
10. Perform Windows In-place Upgrade

Let’s delve into each of these solutions in detail to understand how they can help rectify your Settings app problems.

1] Reset the Settings App¶

If your Windows Settings app is behaving erratically or not functioning correctly, the first and often simplest step is to reset the application. This process reverts the Settings app to its default configuration, clearing any potentially corrupted data or settings that might be causing the malfunction. Resetting the app is akin to giving it a fresh start, and it can resolve a variety of common issues.

To reset the Settings app, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to attempt to open the Settings app. If it opens, proceed with the following steps. If it does not open, move to the next troubleshooting method.
2. Navigate to Apps or Apps & features in the Settings window.
3. Locate the Settings app in the list of installed applications. You may need to search for it or scroll through the list.
4. Click on Settings and then select Advanced options.
5. In the Advanced options, find the Reset section.
6. Click the Reset button.
7. A confirmation dialog will appear, warning you that the app’s data will be deleted. Click Reset again to confirm.
8. Once the reset process is complete, restart your computer and check if the Settings app is now working properly.

If the Settings app does not open at all, even to perform the reset, you will need to proceed with the subsequent troubleshooting suggestions.

2] Run System File Checker¶

The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows utility designed to scan for and repair corrupted system files. Corrupted system files can be a common cause of various Windows issues, including problems with applications like the Settings app. Running SFC ensures the integrity of critical system files and can often resolve underlying issues that are causing the Settings app to malfunction.

To run the System File Checker, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen (or press Windows key + X) to open the WinX menu.
2. Select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu. This will open a command-line interface with administrative privileges, which are necessary to run SFC.
3. In the Command Prompt or PowerShell window, type the command: sfc /scannow and press Enter.
4. The System File Checker will begin scanning your system files. This process may take some time, so allow it to complete without interruption. You will see a progress indicator in the command prompt window.
5. Once the scan is complete, SFC will report if it found and repaired any corrupted files.
6. If SFC found and repaired files, it is recommended to restart your computer to ensure the changes are properly applied.
7. After restarting, check if the Settings app is now functioning correctly.

If SFC does not find any integrity violations, or if the issue persists after running SFC and restarting, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

3] Create a New User Account¶

Sometimes, user profile corruption can lead to issues with specific applications, including the Settings app. Creating a new user account can help determine if the problem is related to your user profile. If the Settings app works correctly in a new user account, it indicates that the issue is likely within your original user profile.

Here’s how to create a new user account in Windows:

1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app (if it opens). If you cannot access Settings, you might need to use the Control Panel or the lusrmgr.msc method described below.
2. Navigate to Accounts and then select Family & other users (or Other users depending on your Windows version).
3. Click on Add account under the “Other users” section.
4. Choose “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” if prompted for an email or phone number.
5. On the next screen, select “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
6. Enter a username for the new account and, optionally, a password.
7. Click Next and then Finish. The new user account will be created as a standard user by default.
8. To make the new account an administrator, select the newly created account, click Change account type, and choose Administrator from the dropdown menu. Click OK.
9. Sign out of your current user account.
10. Sign in to the newly created user account.
11. Check if the Settings app is working correctly in this new user account.

If the Settings app functions properly in the new user account, you can then consider migrating your personal data and files from your old profile to the new one. This can effectively resolve issues related to a corrupted user profile.

Alternatively, if you cannot access the Settings app to create a new user, you can use the Local Users and Groups Manager:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter. This will open the Local Users and Groups Manager (this is only available in Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows).
3. In the left pane, select Users.
4. Right-click in the right pane and select New User….
5. Fill in the Username, Full name, and Password fields as desired. Uncheck “User must change password at next logon” and check “Password never expires” if you prefer.
6. Click Create and then Close. The new user account is now created as a standard user.
7. To make the new account an administrator, double-click on the newly created user account.
8. Go to the Member Of tab.
9. Click Add… and type Administrators. Click Check Names and then OK. Click OK again.
10. Sign out of your current account and sign in to the new account.

4] Run System Restore¶

System Restore is a Windows feature that allows you to revert your computer’s system files, program files, and registry settings to a previous point in time, known as a restore point. If the Settings app issue started recently, using System Restore to revert to a point before the problem began can be an effective solution.

To run System Restore, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type rstrui.exe and press Enter. This will open the System Restore wizard.
3. In the System Restore window, click Next.
4. You will see a list of available restore points. If you see a “Show more restore points” checkbox, check it to display all available restore points.
5. Select a restore point that was created before you started experiencing issues with the Settings app. Ideally, choose a recent restore point.
6. Click Scan for affected programs to see which programs and drivers will be affected by reverting to the selected restore point. This will give you an idea of what changes to expect.
7. Close the scan results and click Next.
8. Review your chosen restore point and click Finish to start the system restore process.
9. System Restore will restart your computer and begin the restoration process. Do not interrupt this process.
10. Once System Restore is complete, your computer will restart again. Log in and check if the Settings app issue is resolved.

Note: System Restore will not affect your personal files, such as documents, pictures, and music. However, it may uninstall programs and drivers that were installed after the selected restore point was created.

5] Troubleshoot in Clean Boot State¶

A Clean Boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps in identifying if background programs or startup applications are interfering with the Settings app. If the Settings app works correctly in a clean boot environment, it indicates that a third-party application or service is likely the cause of the problem.

To perform a clean boot in Windows, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter. This will open the System Configuration utility.
3. In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
4. Check the box labeled Hide all Microsoft services at the bottom of the window. This is important to prevent disabling essential Windows services.
5. Click the Disable all button. This will disable all remaining third-party services.
6. Go to the Startup tab.
7. Click Open Task Manager. This will open the Task Manager in the Startup tab.
8. In the Task Manager Startup tab, disable all startup items by selecting each item and clicking Disable.
9. Close Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.
10. Click Apply and then OK.
11. Click Restart when prompted to restart your computer in a clean boot state.
12. After the restart, check if the Settings app is working correctly.

If the Settings app works in clean boot state, you need to systematically re-enable startup programs and services to identify the culprit. You can do this by enabling services and startup items in small groups and restarting your computer each time to test. Once you identify the problematic program or service, you can choose to disable, uninstall, or update it.

To revert to a normal boot state after troubleshooting, open System Configuration (msconfig), go to the General tab, select Normal startup, and click OK. Restart your computer.

6] Reinstall the Settings App¶

Although the Settings app is a core component of Windows, in some cases, it can be re-registered or effectively reinstalled using PowerShell commands. This process can help refresh the app’s installation and resolve potential corruption issues.

To attempt to reinstall or re-register the Settings app, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).

2. In the PowerShell or Command Prompt window, copy and paste the following command:

   powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRoot\ImmersiveControlPanel\AppxManifest.xml
   

3. Press Enter to execute the command.

4. Wait for the command to complete. It might take a few moments.
5. Restart your computer after the command has finished.
6. Check if the Settings app is now working properly.

This command attempts to re-register the Settings app package. If the issue is due to a problem with the app’s registration, this method might resolve it.

7] Reset Windows via Windows Recovery Menu¶

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If none of the previous steps have resolved the issue, and you are still unable to access the Settings app, you may need to consider resetting Windows through the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This is a more drastic step, but it can resolve deeply rooted system problems that are affecting the Settings app.

Important: Resetting your PC can result in data loss. Ensure you have backed up your important files before proceeding with a PC reset.

To access the Windows Recovery Menu and reset your PC:

1. Restart your computer. As your computer restarts, you will need to enter the Windows Recovery Environment. The method to do this can vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer and Windows version. Common methods include:

   • Interrupting the boot process: Repeatedly power your computer on and off during the boot sequence (usually by pressing the power button as soon as the manufacturer’s logo appears, then powering off, and repeating a couple of times). Windows should eventually boot into the recovery environment.
   • Using advanced startup options: If you can access Windows, you can go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup and click “Restart now.”
   • Using a recovery key or installation media: If you have a USB recovery drive or Windows installation media, you can boot from it to access the recovery environment.

2. Once you are in the Windows Recovery Environment, navigate to Troubleshoot.

3. Under Troubleshoot, you will see options like “Reset this PC” or “Refresh your PC” (depending on your Windows version).

   • Reset this PC: This option allows you to choose to keep your personal files or remove everything. Choose “Keep my files” if you want to preserve your documents, pictures, etc., while resetting Windows. Choose “Remove everything” for a clean reset, which will erase all personal files, apps, and settings.
   • Refresh your PC (Windows 10, may not be available in Windows 11): This option attempts to reinstall Windows while keeping your personal files and settings. It’s less destructive than a full reset.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process. This may take a significant amount of time.

5. After the reset is complete, Windows will restart. Set up your system and check if the Settings app is now working.

8] Reset Windows in Safe Mode¶

If you cannot access the Settings app even in normal Windows, but you can boot into Safe Mode, you might be able to reset Windows from within Safe Mode. Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services, which can sometimes allow you to access features that are unavailable in a normal boot.

To boot into Safe Mode and attempt a reset:

1. Restart your computer.
2. As your computer restarts, you will need to enter the Advanced Startup Options menu. This is often done by pressing F8 repeatedly as the computer starts up. However, the key might vary depending on your motherboard manufacturer (common keys include F2, F12, Del, Esc). Consult your motherboard or computer documentation for the correct key.
3. In the Advanced Startup Options menu, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
4. After the restart, you will see a menu of Startup Settings. Press 4 or F4 to enable Safe Mode. Press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking if you think you might need internet access (though it’s generally not required for a reset).
5. Windows will boot into Safe Mode.
6. Once in Safe Mode, try to open the Settings app (Windows key + I). If it opens, navigate to System > Recovery > Reset this PC and proceed with the reset process as described in step 7.

Resetting Windows in Safe Mode can sometimes bypass issues that prevent a reset from being performed in a normal Windows environment.

9] Run Troubleshooter from Microsoft (Historical Context)¶

Historically, Microsoft released a specific troubleshooter to address issues where the Settings app would not launch or would open the Store app instead. This troubleshooter was identified as Emerging Issue 67758. However, it is important to note that this specific troubleshooter is no longer available from Microsoft.

Microsoft addressed this issue by releasing Cumulative Update for Windows 10 KB3081424, which included a fix to prevent this problem. If you are using an older version of Windows 10 or are encountering this specific historical issue, ensure that your Windows system is fully updated with the latest cumulative updates.

Recommendation: Ensure your Windows 10 or Windows 11 system is up to date by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and clicking “Check for updates.” Installing the latest updates often includes fixes for known issues, including problems with system applications like Settings.

10] Perform Windows In-place Upgrade¶

If all other troubleshooting steps have failed to resolve the Settings app issue, performing a Windows in-place upgrade is a more comprehensive solution. An in-place upgrade reinstalls Windows while keeping your personal files, settings, and applications. It essentially repairs the operating system without requiring a complete clean install.

To perform a Windows in-place upgrade:

1. Download the Windows 11 or Windows 10 ISO file from the official Microsoft website. Ensure you download the ISO for the same edition of Windows that you currently have installed (Home, Pro, etc.).
2. Mount the ISO file. You can do this by double-clicking the downloaded ISO file in File Explorer. This will mount the ISO as a virtual drive.
3. Open File Explorer and go to the mounted virtual drive.
4. Run the setup.exe file. This will start the Windows Setup process.
5. In the Windows Setup window, choose to “Keep personal files and apps”. This is crucial to perform an in-place upgrade and not a clean install.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the in-place upgrade. Windows Setup will reinstall Windows, keeping your files and apps intact.
7. Your computer will restart several times during the process.
8. Once the in-place upgrade is complete, log in to your account and check if the Settings app is now working correctly.

An in-place upgrade can often resolve deeper system issues that are causing application malfunctions, as it effectively refreshes the Windows installation files.

Additional Tips if the Problem Persists¶

If you are still experiencing issues with the Settings app after trying these comprehensive troubleshooting steps, consider these additional points:

• Use WinKey+I Shortcut: Try using the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I to open the Settings app. Sometimes, issues might be related to the Start Menu shortcut, and using the direct keyboard shortcut can bypass these problems.
• Check Group Policy Settings: In some domain or managed environments, system administrators might have policies in place that restrict access to the Settings app. Confirm that your system administrator has not enabled policies like “Prohibit access to Control Panel and PC Settings.” This is more relevant in corporate or educational network environments.

If, after all these steps, the issue remains unresolved, it might indicate a more complex underlying system problem, possibly hardware-related, or a very specific software conflict that requires further, specialized technical investigation.

We encourage you to try these troubleshooting steps in the order presented. Starting with the simpler solutions like resetting the app or running SFC, and progressing to more involved methods like system restore, clean boot, and finally, Windows reset or in-place upgrade. Hopefully, one of these solutions will effectively resolve your Windows Settings app issues and restore your system to full functionality.

If you found these steps helpful or have any further questions or insights, please feel free to leave a comment below! Your experiences and feedback can help others facing similar challenges.