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An App Keeps Crashing

Beginner Apps & Programs Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 11

It opens fine but closes unexpectedly, sometimes with an error, sometimes without.

Before you start: save any open work and note down what you were doing when the problem started — that context helps if you need to search further or ask for help.
  1. Check for an app update first — the developer may have already fixed the exact bug you're hitting.
  2. Run the app as administrator to rule out a permissions issue causing the crash.
  3. Check Event Viewer (search "event viewer") > Windows Logs > Application for the specific error at the time of the crash — the details often point straight to the cause.
  4. Update your graphics driver if the crashing app is graphics-heavy (games, video editors, CAD software) — this is a very common root cause.
  5. Repair the app's installation: Settings > Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10) > find the app > Advanced options > Repair, if that option is available.
Still not fixed? Send us the details and we'll help you dig further, or browse related guides in Apps & Programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does reinstalling an app delete my saved data in it?
It depends on the app — many store your data separately from the program files (in your user profile or cloud), so reinstalling is safe, but it's worth checking that specific app's behavior or backing up first if you're unsure.
Why does one app crash constantly while everything else works fine?
This points toward something specific to that app — a corrupted installation, a driver it depends on, or a conflicting add-in — rather than a broader Windows problem, which is why reinstalling or repairing just that app resolves it in most cases.

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