Windows 10 Settings Won’t Open? Here’s the Fix!

Whether we want to fix common errors or bugs on your device or if it’s simply about changing any other features in the OS, the Windows Settings app is the first place we run to. Isn’t it?

The Settings app on Windows is a centralized hub that allows you to take control of the whole OS in one space, including Network and Internet, WiFi and Bluetooth, User accounts, Personalization, Managing apps, Privacy settings, and probably everything else that you need to manage your device.

So, what would you do if Windows 10 Settings won’t open? Well, yes, it Settings app may fail to open on your device due to a couple of reasons that include:

• Outdated version of OS.
• Interference of a corrupted app or service.
• Disk space is clogged with too many junk files and data.
• Presence of virus, malware, or bugs.

Seeing the Windows 10 settings app grayed out, crashed, or if it just won’t open can surely bring a reason to worry. In this post, we have covered a bunch of troubleshooting hacks that you can use to fix the “Windows 10 settings won’t open” issue on your device.

Let’s get started.

Also read: 5 Rigid Windows 10 Settings and How To Fix Them

How To Fix Windows 10 Settings Won’t Open

1. Run the SFC Scan

SFC (System File Checker) is an in-built Windows utility that can be used to fix corrupt files and system discrepancies. The SFC tool replaces the corrupt system file with a cached version and allows you to solve various errors and bugs that cause system malfunction. To run the SFC scan on your Windows PC, follow these steps:

Fire up the Start menu search, type “Command Prompt”, right-click on it, and select “Run as Administrator” to launch Command Prompt in admin mode.

In the Terminal window, type the following command and hit Enter to run the SFC scan.

sfc/scannow

Wait for a few minutes until a complete scan is performed on your device to find and replace corrupt system files. Once the SFC tool has done its job, exit all windows, reboot your device, and then try opening the Settings app again to check whether it fixed the issue.

Also read: SFC Scan Stops Working on Windows 10? Here’s the Fix!

2. Reinstall Pre-installed Applications

To reinstall preinstalled apps on your Windows PC, you may have to use Windows PowerShell in Admin mode. Follow these quick steps to get started:

Right-click on the Windows icon placed on the Taskbar, select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”.

In the PowerShell window, type the following code and then hit Enter to execute it:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRoot\ImmersiveControlPanel\AppxManifest.xml

Sit back and relax for a while until this process is completed. Once it’s done, try launching the Settings app and see if you’re still facing any troubles in accessing it.

Also read: How To Recover Files Deleted By PowerShell On Windows Computer

3. Use the DISM Tool

Using the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) command can also help you in fixing the “Windows 10 settings won’t open” issue. DISM is an in-built troubleshooter that restores all the system features on your device. Here’s what you need to do:

Launch Command Prompt in Admin mode.

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter to restore disk health.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Once the command is successfully executed, exit all windows, reboot your device.

5. Use the Shortcut to Open Settings app

If you are unable to open the Windows 10 settings app by using the Start menu, you can also use an alternative to access settings.

Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box.

Type “ms-settings:” in the textbox and hit Enter to open the Settings app.

P.S. Don’t forget to add the colon sign after the command.

Alternatively, you can also use the Command Prompt as a shortcut to open the Settings app.

Launch Command Prompt in admin mode, type the following command and hit Enter.

Start ms-settings:

6. Scan Your Device for Viruses or Malware

Tried the above-mentioned workarounds and still no luck? Well, there may be a possibility that your PC is infected with a virus or malware. To make sure that your device is 100% protected against threats, download and install the Systweak Antivirus security tool on your Windows PC.

Systweak Antivirus offers round-the-clock protection against viruses, malware, trojans, adware, spyware, zero-day exploits, and other malicious threats. It safeguards your device and data like a shield, keeping cyber threats at bay.

Download and install the Systweak Antivirus tool on your PC. Launch it once the installation process is done.

Hit on the “Scan Now” button to scan and fix potential threats that are infecting your sensitive data.

Also read: How Can An Antivirus Speed Up PC?

Conclusion

Here were a few solutions that you can try to fix the “Windows 10 settings won’t open” issue. You can use any of the above-mentioned hacks to access the Settings app without any hindrance. For any other queries or assistance, feel free to use the comments space!