How to Fix Apps Crashing on Windows 11 [Comprehensive Guide]

Windows 11, the latest iteration of Microsoft’s operating system, has brought with it a fresh and modern interface, along with a plethora of new features. However, for some users, this upgrade has come with a frustrating downside: apps crashing unexpectedly. If you’ve found yourself in this predicament, rest assured that you’re not alone. App crashes can be incredibly frustrating and disruptive, especially when you’re in the midst of important tasks or leisure activities.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the potential causes of these crashes and provide you with actionable solutions to get your apps running smoothly once again.

Understanding the Issue

There’s nothing more exasperating than launching an application on your Windows 11 machine, only to have it crash before you even get to use it. The sinking feeling of losing unsaved work or being unable to enjoy your favorite games can be maddening.

If you’re facing this issue, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Many Windows 11 users have encountered similar problems, and there are steps you can take to address the situation.

Unraveling the Common Causes

Before delving into the solutions, it’s crucial to understand what might be causing these app crashes. Multiple factors could contribute to this problem, ranging from compatibility issues to software conflicts. Here are some common causes:

• Outdated Software: Running outdated applications on a new operating system can often lead to compatibility issues, resulting in crashes.
• Driver Incompatibility: Incompatible or outdated drivers, especially graphics drivers, can cause apps to crash unexpectedly.
• Insufficient System Resources: Apps, especially resource-intensive ones, require a certain amount of system resources to function properly. If your system is low on memory or processing power, apps may crash.
• Corrupted System Files: Windows relies on a complex system of files. If some of these files become corrupted, it can lead to instability and crashes.
• Third-Party Antivirus Programs: While antivirus software is essential, some third-party antivirus programs might not be fully compatible with Windows 11, leading to conflicts and crashes.
• Background Applications: Background applications consuming a significant amount of system resources can impact the stability of the apps you’re actively using, causing crashes.
• Software Conflicts: Conflicts between different software applications can lead to crashes. This is particularly common when two programs are trying to access the same resources simultaneously.

Now that we’ve explored the potential causes of app crashes on Windows 11, let’s move on to the solutions that can help you resolve these issues and enjoy a smoother computing experience.

Solutions to Get Your Apps Running Smoothly

1. Keep Your Software Updated

Regularly updating your applications to their latest versions ensures that they are compatible with the Windows 11 operating system. Developers often release updates to address bugs and compatibility issues, reducing the likelihood of crashes.

To update Windows 11 software, you can use Windows Update. Here are the steps:

1. Click on the Start button.
2. Select Settings.
3. Click on Update & Security.
4. Click on Windows Update.
5. Click on Check for updates.

If there are any updates available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.

You can also manually check for updates by clicking on the Check for updates button.

If you are having trouble updating Windows 11, you can try the following:

• Make sure that your computer is connected to the internet.
• Restart your computer.
• Run the Windows Update troubleshooter. To do this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and click on Windows Update.
• Check for updates from your computer manufacturer’s website.

If you are still having trouble updating Windows 11, you can contact Microsoft support for assistance.

2. Update Your Drivers

Check for and update your system’s drivers, especially graphics drivers, to the latest versions compatible with Windows 11.

There are two ways to update drivers on Windows 11:

1. Use Windows Update. Windows Update automatically checks for and installs driver updates for your computer. To do this, follow these steps:
   • Click on the Start button.
   • Select Settings.
   • Click on Update & Security.
   • Click on Windows Update.
   • Click on Check for updates.

If there are any driver updates available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.

2. Manually update drivers. You can also manually update drivers by downloading the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Identify the device whose driver you want to update.
   2. Go to the manufacturer’s website and search for the latest driver for your device.
   3. Download the driver and save it to your computer.
   4. Open Device Manager.
   5. Right-click on the device whose driver you want to update and select Update driver.
   6. Click on Browse my computer for drivers.
   7. Select the driver that you downloaded and click on Open.
   8. Windows will install the driver.

It is important to update your drivers regularly to ensure that your computer is running smoothly and securely. Outdated drivers can cause conflicts and crashes, so staying up-to-date is crucial.

3. Monitor System Resources

Use the Task Manager to keep an eye on your system’s resource utilization. If you notice that your system’s memory or CPU usage is consistently high, it might be time to close unnecessary background applications or consider upgrading your hardware.

There are many ways to monitor system resources on Windows 11. Here are a few of the most common methods:

• Task Manager: Task Manager is a built-in tool that provides a quick overview of your computer’s performance. To open Task Manager, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. In the Task Manager window, click on the Performance tab to see graphs of your CPU, memory, disk, and network usage.
• Resource Monitor: Resource Monitor is a more comprehensive tool that provides detailed information about your computer’s resources. To open Resource Monitor, press Ctrl+Shift+E and type “Resource Monitor” in the search bar. In the Resource Monitor window, you can view graphs of your CPU, memory, disk, network, and process usage. You can also view detailed information about individual processes, such as their memory usage, CPU usage, and disk usage.
• Third-party tools: There are many third-party tools available that can monitor system resources. Some of these tools offer more features than Task Manager or Resource Monitor, such as the ability to track performance over time or identify performance bottlenecks.

Here are some of the third-party tools that you can use to monitor system resources on Windows 11:

• Process Explorer: Process Explorer is a free tool that provides detailed information about running processes. It can be used to identify processes that are using up a lot of resources.
• PerfMon: PerfMon is a powerful tool that can be used to monitor a wide variety of system resources. It can be used to track performance over time and identify performance bottlenecks.
• HWMonitor: HWMonitor is a free tool that can be used to monitor hardware temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds. It can be used to identify hardware problems that may be affecting system performance.

The best way to monitor system resources on Windows 11 depends on your needs and preferences. If you are looking for a quick overview of your computer’s performance, Task Manager is a good option. If you need more detailed information about your system resources, Resource Monitor is a better choice. If you are looking for a third-party tool, there are many options available that offer different features and capabilities.

4. Check for System File Corruption

Windows has built-in tools that can scan and repair corrupted system files. Use the System File Checker tool to identify and fix any corrupted files that might be causing app crashes.

To check for system file corruption on Windows 11, you can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool. SFC is a built-in tool that scans your computer for corrupted system files and repairs them if possible.

To run SFC, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

SFC will scan your computer for corrupted system files and repair them if possible. The scan may take some time to complete.

If SFC finds any corrupted files, it will replace them with the correct versions from the Windows image. If SFC is unable to repair the corrupted files, you may need to use a third-party tool or reinstall Windows.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when using SFC:

• SFC can only repair corrupted system files. It cannot repair corrupted data files, such as documents or photos.
• If SFC is unable to repair a corrupted file, it will not delete the file. You will need to manually delete the file if you want to remove it.
• Running SFC will not harm your computer. However, it is a good idea to create a backup of your computer before you run SFC. This will help to protect your data in case something goes wrong.

5. Review Antivirus Software

If you’re using third-party antivirus software, ensure that it’s compatible with Windows 11. Consider temporarily disabling the antivirus program to see if it’s causing conflicts. If the crashes cease, you might need to switch to a compatible antivirus solution.

Here are some things to consider when reviewing antivirus software compatibility with Windows 11:

• The antivirus software’s website: Most antivirus software companies have a website where they list the operating systems that their software is compatible with. You can check the website of the antivirus software that you are interested in to see if it is compatible with Windows 11.
• Independent testing labs: There are a number of independent testing labs that test antivirus software. These labs publish reports that rank antivirus software based on their performance. You can check the reports of these labs to see how well an antivirus software performs on Windows 11.
• User reviews: You can also read user reviews of antivirus software. User reviews can give you an idea of how well an antivirus software works in real-world conditions.

Here are some of the most popular antivirus software that are compatible with Windows 11:

• Bitdefender: Bitdefender is a popular antivirus software that has been consistently rated highly by independent testing labs. It offers a variety of features, including real-time protection, cloud scanning, and ransomware protection.
• Norton: Norton is another popular antivirus software that offers a wide range of features. It is known for its strong protection against malware and viruses.
• McAfee: McAfee is a well-known antivirus software that offers a variety of features, including a firewall, parental controls, and a password manager.
• Avast: Avast is a free antivirus software that offers basic protection against malware and viruses. It also offers a premium version with more features.
• Kaspersky: Kaspersky is a popular antivirus software that offers a variety of features, including real-time protection, cloud scanning, and parental controls.

When choosing an antivirus software for Windows 11, it is important to consider your needs and budget. If you are looking for the best possible protection, you may want to choose a paid antivirus software. If you are on a budget, you may want to choose a free antivirus software.

It is also important to keep your antivirus software up to date. Antivirus software companies regularly release updates to their software to fix bugs and add new features. Keeping your antivirus software up to date will help to ensure that it is effective against the latest threats.

6. Close Unnecessary Background Applications

Before launching resource-intensive apps, close unnecessary background applications to free up system resources. This can help prevent crashes caused by insufficient resources.

There are a few ways to close unnecessary background apps on Windows 11.

1. Use Task Manager

Task Manager is a built-in tool that allows you to view and manage the running processes on your computer. To close an unnecessary background app using Task Manager, follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager window, click on the Processes tab.
3. Scroll through the list of processes and find the app that you want to close.
4. Right-click on the app and select End task.

2. Use the Settings app

You can also use the Settings app to close unnecessary background apps. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Background apps.
4. Turn off the toggle switch for the apps that you want to close.

3. Use a third-party app

There are a number of third-party apps available that can help you to close unnecessary background apps. Some of these apps offer more features than Task Manager or the Settings app, such as the ability to identify and close apps that are using up a lot of resources.

Here are some of the third-party apps that you can use to close unnecessary background apps on Windows 11:

• Background Apps Manager: Background Apps Manager is a free app that allows you to view and manage the running background apps on your computer. It also allows you to block apps from running in the background.
• SuperF4: SuperF4 is a free app that allows you to close any app with a single keystroke. It also allows you to close background apps.
• Process Lasso: Process Lasso is a paid app that allows you to prioritize and manage the running processes on your computer. It also allows you to close background apps.

The best way to close unnecessary background apps on Windows 11 depends on your needs and preferences. If you are looking for a simple way to close a few apps, you can use Task Manager or the Settings app. If you are looking for a more powerful app with more features, you can use a third-party app.

7. Identify and Resolve Software Conflicts

If you suspect software conflicts are causing crashes, try uninstalling recently installed applications one by one to identify the culprit. Once the problematic software is identified, you can either seek an update or find an alternative program.

There are two ways to update programs on Windows 11:

• Use Windows Update: Windows Update automatically checks for and installs updates for programs that are installed from the Microsoft Store. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click on the Start button.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Click on Update & Security.
  4. Click on Windows Update.
  5. Click on Check for updates.

If there are any updates available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.

• Manually update programs: You can also manually update programs by checking for updates in the program’s settings. To do this, follow the instructions that are provided by the program’s developer.

Here are some of the most common ways to manually update programs:

• In the program’s menu: Some programs have a menu option that allows you to check for updates. For example, in Microsoft Office, you can click on File > Account > Update Options > Check for updates.
• In the program’s settings: Some programs have a settings page that allows you to check for updates. For example, in Google Chrome, you can click on three dots > Help > About Google Chrome.
• On the program’s website: Some programs have a website where you can download the latest version of the program. For example, you can download the latest version of Adobe Reader from the Adobe website.

It is important to keep your programs up to date to ensure that they are secure and to fix any bugs.

Final Notes

Dealing with app crashes on Windows 11 can be a frustrating experience, but it’s important to approach the situation methodically. By understanding the common causes of crashes and applying the solutions we’ve outlined, you can regain control over your computing experience.

Implementing these solutions can significantly reduce the frequency of app crashes on your Windows 11 system. Don’t hesitate to reach out to support forums or Microsoft’s official support if you’re facing persistent problems.

Keep in mind that technology evolves, and with it come challenges, but with a proactive and patient approach, you can overcome these obstacles and enjoy the benefits of the Windows 11 operating system without the headache of app crashes.

FAQs about Windows 11 Apps Crashing Issue