How to fix
MS Paint not working
on Windows

After the most recent Windows update, MS Paint is not working for me on Windows 11. When I click the shortcut on my taskbar, nothing happens - I even tried entering it into the search and pressing Enter, only to encounter the same behavior of the app. How do I fix this because it is really annoying?

For many years, Microsoft Paint has been an essential part of the Windows operating system - it is a simple yet recognizable graphics editing tool. Following the release of Windows 11, a few users have complained that MS Paint doesn't work properly.

These issues can show up in several ways, like the application not opening at all, crashing when it launches, or acting strangely while being used. For those who depend on MS Paint for simple picture editing activities, knowing the reasons for and solutions for these problems is crucial.

There are a variety of reasons why MS Paint may not be working properly in Windows 11 - it is not uncommon for applications and the latest version of the operating system to have compatibility problems, particularly just after a significant update. 

The functionality of MS Paint may also be hampered by obsolete drivers, corrupted system files, or conflicts with other programs. In certain instances, user-specific profiles or settings that impede the functionality of the application could be the cause of the issue.

To resolve issues with MS Paint not working in Windows 11, users can attempt several troubleshooting steps. First, checking for any available updates for Windows 11 is advisable, as Microsoft frequently releases patches to address compatibility and performance issues.

If updates do not resolve the problem, users can try resetting MS Paint to its default settings through the Windows Settings app. This action can often clear any configuration problems that may be causing the application to malfunction.

For more persistent issues, reinstalling MS Paint through the Optional Features section of the Windows Settings app can help by replacing any corrupted application files. Additionally, running a system file checker scan using the Command Prompt can identify and repair corrupted Windows system files that may be affecting MS Paint's functionality.

By following the recommended troubleshooting steps, most issues can be resolved, allowing users to continue using MS Paint for their image editing needs.  Regular system maintenance with tools like [d1] can prevent these issues from recurring. Also, the app can fix various Windows issues automatically, so it's a great alternative for manual troubleshooting.

Fix 1. Check for Windows updates

Windows updates can resolve compatibility issues and bugs affecting MS Paint. Ensuring your system is up-to-date can fix problems caused by outdated system files.

• Click on the Start and go to Settings.
• Select Update & Security.
• Click on Windows Update.
• If there are updates available (including optional ones), click Install. If not, click Check for updates.
• Restart your PC to implement the changes.

Fix 2. Reset/Repair MS Paint settings

Resetting MS Paint restores its default settings, potentially fixing issues caused by incorrect configurations.

• Right-click on Start and select Apps & Features/Installed apps.
• Scroll down to find Paint and click Advanced options.
• Scroll down again and click Terminate and Repair.
• If that does not work, try using Reset.

Fix 3. Reinstall MS Paint

Reinstalling MS Paint can address problems related to corrupted application files by replacing them with fresh copies.

• Right-click on Start and select Apps & Features/Installed apps.
• Scroll down to find Paint and click Uninstall.
• Confirm the prompt.
• Restart your PC.
• Download and install Pain from the Microsoft Store.

Fix 4. Run the System File Checker

The System File Checker (SFC) scan can find and repair corrupted Windows system files that might be causing MS Paint to malfunction.

• Type in cmd in Windows search.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
• In the User Account Control window, click Yes.
• In the Command Prompt window, paste the following command and hit Enter:
  sfc /scannow
• Wait till the scan is finished and see if it found any issues.

In addition, you can run the following commands to check for Windows image issues:

• Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  (Note: if you get an error executing this last command, add /Source:C:\RepairSource\Windows /LimitAccess to it and try again).
• Reboot your system.

Fix 5. Run Windows Store apps troubleshooter

• Type troubleshoot into the Windows search bar, then press Enter.
• In the options that appear, select Additional troubleshooters or Other troubleshooters (depending on your Windows version).
• Scroll through the list until you locate Windows Store Apps, then click on Run the troubleshooter/Run.
• Wait as the process runs to completion, then apply any recommended changes to resolve the issue.
• Restart your PC.

Fix 6. Create a new user profile

Corrupted user profiles can cause issues with applications like MS Paint. Creating a new user profile can resolve these problems.

• Open Windows Settings.
• Go to Accounts then Family/Family & other users.
• Under Other users, click Add account/Add someone else to this PC.
• Follow the prompts to create a new user account. If you don't have Microsoft account details, you can choose I don't have this person's sign-in information followed by Add a user without a Microsoft account.
• Assign a username and password for the new account and complete the setup.
• Log out of your current account and log into the new account.

Fix 7. Perform a Clean Boot

This process can help you to identify if background applications are causing issues with MS Paint.

• Type msconfig in the Windows search box and press Enter.
• Pick the Services tab.
• Mark Hide all Microsoft services and select Disable all.
• Select the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
• In the Task Manager, right-click on each of the items and select Disable, then close the Task Manager.
• Go to the Boot tab, mark the Safe Boot option, then click Apply and OK.
• On the System Configuration window, click OK.
• Restart your computer.
• Once in the Clean Boot state, enable half of the processes and see if the problem is resolved. If it is, continue using the elimination technique until you find a culprit.