What to Do If File Explorer Is Not Responding
Are you experiencing issues with your Windows File Explorer not responding? It can be frustrating when you try to access your files and the File Explorer becomes unresponsive. Don’t worry; you’re not alone. This article will guide you through several troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue and get your File Explorer back up and running smoothly.
1. Restart Your Computer
The simplest and often most effective solution to an unresponsive File Explorer is to restart your computer. This will close all open applications, including File Explorer, and allow the system to refresh. To restart your computer, follow these steps:
– Press the Windows key + X and select “Shutdown or sign out.”
– Click on “Restart” to turn off and restart your computer.
2. Close and Reopen File Explorer
If restarting your computer doesn’t work, try closing and reopening File Explorer. Here’s how:
– Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
– Go to the “Processes” tab.
– Find “Windows Explorer” in the list of processes.
– Right-click on “Windows Explorer” and select “End Task.”
– Close the Task Manager and press Ctrl + Shift + Esc again to reopen the Task Manager.
– Click on “File” in the upper-left corner, then select “Run new task.”
– Type “explorer.exe” and press Enter.
3. Check for Background Apps
Background apps can sometimes interfere with File Explorer’s performance. To check for and disable unnecessary background apps, follow these steps:
– Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
– Click on “Privacy” and then “Background apps.”
– Scroll through the list of apps and toggle off the ones you don’t need running in the background.
4. Run the System File Checker
The System File Checker is a built-in Windows tool that scans for and fixes corrupted system files. To run the System File Checker, follow these steps:
– Press Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
– Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
– Wait for the scan to complete and follow any instructions provided.
5. Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause File Explorer to become unresponsive. To update your graphics drivers, follow these steps:
– Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.”
– Expand the “Display adapters” category.
– Right-click on your graphics adapter and select “Update driver.”
– Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
– Follow the on-screen instructions to update your drivers.
6. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if a background app is causing the issue. To perform a clean boot, follow these steps:
– Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
– Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
– Go to the “Services” tab and check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box.
– Click on “Disable all” to disable all non-Microsoft services.
– Go to the “Startup” tab and click on “Open Task Manager.”
– Disable all startup items by right-clicking on each one and selecting “Disable.”
– Close Task Manager, click “OK” in the System Configuration window, and restart your computer.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, it may be time to seek professional help or contact Microsoft Support for further assistance. Remember to back up your important files regularly to prevent data loss in case of unexpected issues.
