Notepad Not Opening on Windows: How to Fix

You’re sitting at your desk, ready to jot down some quick ideas or make a simple edit to a text file, and you click on Notepad—only for nothing to happen. Frustrating. Notepad, the unassuming yet indispensable tool that comes pre-installed on every Windows computer, often goes unnoticed until it stops working. But when it refuses to open, it’s more than just an inconvenience, it’s an interruption to your workflow.

So, what’s causing this sudden issue? Like any application, Notepad isn’t immune to problems. The reasons range from something as simple as a background process causing a conflict to more technical issues like corrupted system files or glitches from a recent Windows update. Sometimes, the problem might even stem from a third-party text editor overriding default app settings, or it could be tied to a specific user profile issue. The good news is that there are several ways to fix it. Let’s explore the common causes and how you can resolve them step-by-step.

Fixing Notepad Not Opening

Check for Background Processes

Notepad might already be running in the background without you realizing it. This can prevent the application from launching again when you try to open it. Background processes, especially if stuck or unresponsive, can interfere with how apps like Notepad behave.

Here’s what you can do:

Open Task Manager: Right-click an empty space on your taskbar and select Task Manager from the menu.
Find Notepad: Navigate to the Processes tab, scroll through the list, and look for Notepad.
End the Task: Right-click on Notepad and choose End Task from the menu.

Once you’ve ended the background process, try reopening Notepad from the Start menu or taskbar. This simple step often resolves the issue without needing any further troubleshooting.

Restart Your Computer

The simplest solutions are the most effective. If ending Notepad’s background process doesn’t work, a quick restart of your computer might be all you need. When you restart your PC, it clears out temporary files, refreshes system resources, and resolves minor software conflicts that may be preventing Notepad from launching.

Click on the Start Menu (Windows key).
Select the Power Icon in the lower right corner.
Choose Restart from the options.

Once your computer restarts, sign in and try opening Notepad again. Often, this step eliminates temporary glitches, allowing the app to function as expected.

Ensure Notepad Is the Default Text Editor

Notepad might not open simply because another text editor, like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code, has been set as the default app for .txt files. This happens when other programs override the default settings, causing confusion when you double-click a text file or try to launch Notepad. Fixing this is straightforward.

Here’s how to set Notepad as your default text editor:

Press Windows key + I to open the Settings menu.
Click on Apps in the left-hand menu, then select Default apps on the right.
In the search bar at the top, type in .txt to locate the file type.
If another app is listed as the default, click on it and select Notepad from the options that appear.
Confirm your selection by clicking the Set default button.

After this, any time you open a .txt file, it will automatically launch in Notepad.

Repair or Reset Notepad

If Notepad still doesn’t work after adjusting the default settings, it might be due to corrupted files or minor glitches within the application. Windows offers two built-in options to resolve these issues: repair and reset.

Repair: This attempts to fix the app without affecting your settings or data.
Reset: This reinstalls the app, returning it to its default state. You’ll lose any custom preferences.

Here’s how to repair or reset Notepad:

Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
Navigate to Apps and then select Installed apps on the right.
Scroll down to find Notepad, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select Advanced options.
In the new window, locate the Reset section. To repair, click Repair and wait for the process to complete. A checkmark will appear once it’s done. If repairing doesn’t work, click Reset (you’ll need to confirm this action).

Once the process is complete, try opening Notepad again. Repairing typically resolves minor issues, while resetting is a more thorough fix for persistent problems.

Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Scans

If Notepad still won’t open, it could be due to corrupted or missing system files. Windows includes two powerful tools to detect and repair such issues: System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). These tools are especially useful when the problem stems from underlying Windows issues.

Step 1: Run the System File Checker (SFC) Scan

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by typing "cmd" into the search bar, right-clicking Command Prompt, and selecting Run as administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
```
sfc /scannow
```
The scan will check for and repair any corrupted system files. Wait until the process is complete, then restart your computer and try launching Notepad.

Step 2: Run the DISM Scan If the SFC scan doesn’t resolve the issue, follow up with a DISM scan:

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator again.

Type the following command and press Enter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This command checks and restores the health of your Windows image. The process may take some time, so be patient.

After running both scans, restart your computer and test if Notepad works. These tools are reliable for fixing deeper system issues.

Perform a Clean Boot

Third-party software or services can sometimes interfere with Windows apps, including Notepad. Performing a Clean Boot helps identify if a background program is causing the issue by starting Windows with only essential services running.

How to Perform a Clean Boot:

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type msconfig, and press Enter.
In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab and check the box for Hide all Microsoft services.
Click Disable all to turn off all non-Microsoft services.
Next, go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
In Task Manager, disable all startup items by right-clicking each and selecting Disable.
Close Task Manager and click OK in the System Configuration window.
Restart your computer.

Try opening Notepad in this minimal environment. If it works, the issue is likely caused by a third-party app or service. Re-enable services one by one to identify the culprit.

Reinstall Notepad

If all else fails, reinstalling Notepad might be the ultimate solution. Fortunately, Notepad is a Windows feature that can be reinstalled through the Windows Features menu.

How to Uninstall and Reinstall Notepad:

Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
Navigate to Apps > Installed apps.
Locate Notepad, click the three-dot menu, and select Uninstall.
Once uninstalled, open the Start Menu and search for Turn Windows features on or off.
In the Windows Features window, check the box next to Notepad and click OK.
Wait for the feature to be reinstalled, then restart your computer.