Why can’t Windows 11 open PNG files?

Corrupt file – If the PNG is corrupted, the file will fail to open. Corrupt photo viewing software – If the software used to open the PNG file is corrupt or faulty, Windows 11 will find it hard to open such a file. The software doesn’t have the capability – The default image-viewing software might not be capable of opening this file type.

Now that we know the causes of this issue, let’s go to the actual solutions.

What can I do if PNG files fail to open in Windows 11?

Before we proceed with more advanced troubleshooting techniques, here are some quick fixes you can apply:

Restart Windows. Try to open the file with another photo viewer. Close all background applications. Run a quick virus scan on Windows Defender.

If those quick fixes couldn’t resolve the error, here are a few fixes.

1. Run SFC/DISM scans

If you run into a Windows resource error while running an SFC scan, do well to read our guide.

2. Convert the PNG file to another image format

Microsoft Paint will be able to open the PNG, and after the conversion, you can open it with other image viewers. In addition, you can use a dedicated PNG viewer for PC that will most likely open the native PNG without any issues.

3. Change the default Image viewing software

Changing the default photo viewing software ensures you’re opening PNG files with the right software.

4. Reset the Photos app

Resetting the Photos Apps should revert the app to its default configuration. It should be able to open PNG files properly. If the error persists after attempting all the fixes on this article, the last resort is to reinstall the Photos App. This will resolve the error. You may also try to convert or open the PNG image with one of the best photo editors for Windows 11. You can let us know in the comments section if you’ve got other solutions to resolve Windows 11 without opening PNG files.

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