How to Fix File Explorer Not Responding in Windows 10
Are you experiencing issues with your Windows 10 file explorer not responding? It can be quite frustrating when you can’t access your files and folders due to this problem. In this article, we will guide you through several methods to fix the “file explorer not responding” issue in Windows 10. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the problem and get your file explorer back to normal.
1. Restart the File Explorer Process
The first step to fix the file explorer not responding issue is to restart the File Explorer process. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open the Task Manager.
2. Go to the “Processes” tab.
3. Find “Windows Explorer” in the list of processes.
4. Right-click on it and select “End Task.”
5. Wait for a few seconds, then click “File” and select “New Task (Run…)”.
6. Type “explorer.exe” in the “Create new task” window and press “Enter.”
This should restart the File Explorer process, and you should be able to access your files and folders without any issues.
2. Run the System File Checker
The System File Checker is a built-in Windows tool that scans and repairs corrupted system files. To run the System File Checker, follow these steps:
1. Press `Win + X` and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the list.
2. In the command prompt or PowerShell window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
3. Wait for the process to complete. It may take some time to finish scanning and repairing the system files.
Once the process is complete, restart your computer and check if the file explorer not responding issue is resolved.
3. Run the Disk Check Tool
If the System File Checker didn’t fix the problem, you can try running the Disk Check tool. This tool scans your hard drive for errors and fixes them if found. Here’s how to run the Disk Check tool:
1. Open the Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) as mentioned in the previous step.
2. Type “chkdsk /f /r” and press Enter.
3. You will be prompted to schedule a disk check on the next restart. Press “Y” and restart your computer.
4. The disk check will start automatically on the next restart and may take some time to complete.
After the disk check is complete, try opening the file explorer to see if the issue is resolved.
4. Update Your Graphics Card Drivers
Outdated or corrupted graphics card drivers can sometimes cause the file explorer not responding issue. To update your graphics card drivers, follow these steps:
1. Press `Win + X` and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand the “Display adapters” category and right-click on your graphics card.
3. Select “Update driver” and choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to update your drivers.
After updating the drivers, restart your computer and check if the file explorer issue is resolved.
5. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if a third-party application is causing the file explorer not responding issue. To perform a clean boot, follow these steps:
1. Press `Win + R`, type “msconfig” in the Run dialog, and press Enter.
2. Go to the “Services” tab and check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box.
3. Click “Disable all” to disable all non-Microsoft services.
4. Go to the “Startup” tab and click “Open Task Manager.”
5. In the Task Manager, disable all startup items by right-clicking on them and selecting “Disable.”
6. Close Task Manager and click “OK” in the System Configuration window.
7. Restart your computer.
After performing a clean boot, try opening the file explorer to see if the issue persists. If the file explorer works fine, you can enable the startup items one by one to identify the problematic application.
By following these methods, you should be able to fix the “file explorer not responding” issue in Windows 10. If the problem still persists, it may be worth seeking professional help from a Windows technician.
