What to Do When File Explorer Is Not Responding
Have you ever encountered a situation where your Windows File Explorer suddenly stops responding? It can be quite frustrating, especially when you are in the middle of an important task. Don’t worry; you are not alone. Many users face this issue at some point. In this article, we will discuss several effective methods to resolve the “File Explorer is not responding” problem on your Windows PC.
1. Restart File Explorer
The simplest and most common solution to fix the File Explorer not responding issue is to restart the File Explorer process. Here’s how to 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. Click “Yes” to confirm.
6. Now, press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` again to reopen the Task Manager.
7. Go to the “File” menu and select “Run new task.”
8. Type “explorer.exe” in the “Create new task” window and press Enter.
2. Run System File Checker
System File Checker is a built-in Windows tool that scans and repairs corrupted system files. To run it, follow these steps:
1. Press `Win + X` and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the list.
2. In the command prompt or PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
sfc /scannow
“`
3. Wait for the process to complete. If any corrupted files are found, the tool will automatically repair them.
3. Update Your Graphics Card Drivers
Outdated or incompatible graphics card drivers can cause File Explorer to stop responding. To update your drivers, follow these steps:
1. Press `Win + X` and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand the “Display adapters” category.
3. Right-click on your graphics card and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
4. Reset File Explorer
If the above methods don’t work, you can try resetting File Explorer to its default settings. Here’s how:
1. Press `Win + X` and select “Control Panel.”
2. Go to “Programs” and then “Programs and Features.”
3. Click on “Turn Windows features on or off.”
4. Scroll down and expand “File Explorer Options.”
5. Uncheck “Use the File Explorer thumbnail view” and “Use the File Explorer to open folders.”
6. Click “OK” and restart your PC.
5. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help identify if a third-party application is causing the File Explorer not responding issue. To perform a clean boot:
1. Press `Win + R`, type “msconfig” in the Run dialog, and press Enter.
2. Go to the “Services” tab.
3. Check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box.
4. Click “Disable all.”
5. Go to the “Startup” tab.
6. Click “Open Task Manager.”
7. In the Task Manager, disable all startup items.
8. Close Task Manager and click “OK” in the System Configuration window.
9. Restart your PC.
By following these methods, you should be able to resolve the “File Explorer is not responding” issue on your Windows PC. If the problem persists, it may be worth seeking professional help.
