Windows File Explorer Not Responding? Try 8 Quick Fixes!

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Ever been in the middle of something important and—bam—Windows File Explorer just stops responding? Maybe you’re trying to open a folder, move a few files, or simply navigate your desktop when suddenly everything freezes. No error, no explanation—just that annoying lag or crash that leaves you staring at your screen. If you’ve searched for “Windows File Explorer not responding”, you’re definitely not alone. This common issue can happen on both Windows 10 and 11, and luckily, there are proven ways to fix it fast. In this guide, we’ll walk you through 8 quick and effective solutions to get File Explorer running smoothly again—without pulling your hair out. Let’s get into it!

Fix1. Restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager

One of the quickest ways to fix a frozen or unresponsive File Explorer is to restart the Windows Explorer process through Task Manager. This will refresh the process and potentially resolve any glitches causing the freeze.

Why It Works:
Windows Explorer handles not only File Explorer but also the Start menu, taskbar, and other graphical user interface elements. Restarting it can clear up minor issues and help restore functionality.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. In the Processes tab, scroll down to Windows Explorer.
  3. Right-click Windows Explorer and select Restart.
  4. Your screen may flicker momentarily as Explorer restarts, and your File Explorer should begin responding again.

Fix2. Run the System File Checker (SFC) Scan

Corrupted or missing system files are often the culprit behind a non-responsive File Explorer. Running the System File Checker (SFC) can help fix corrupted files and restore normal functionality.

Why It Works:
SFC scans your system for corrupt or missing files and repairs them automatically, ensuring that your system files are intact and functioning properly.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) to open it as an administrator.
  2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
  3. The scan will begin and may take several minutes. Do not close the Command Prompt window during the process.
  4. Once the scan is complete, follow the prompts to repair any issues.
  5. Restart your computer to apply the fixes.

Expert Tip: This is a reliable fix recommended by Microsoft when troubleshooting unresponsive Windows components like File Explorer.

Related Fix: Dealing with a frozen taskbar too? Check out our guide👉 Windows 10 Taskbar Not Working? Easy Fixes

Fix3. Clear File Explorer History and Recover Missing Files

Sometimes, File Explorer stops responding because its history or recent activity cache is overloaded or corrupted. Clearing that out often resolves lag or freezing issues. But in the process—or during a crash—files might disappear or become inaccessible. Here’s how to fix both problems.

Step 1: Clear File Explorer History

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. Go to File Explorer Options.
  3. In the General tab, click Clear under “Privacy.”
  4. Click OK to save and close.

This clears recent file and folder history, which often helps fix Explorer lag caused by broken links or references.

Step 2: Recover Lost or Deleted Files with WinfrGUI (if needed)
If your File Explorer crash led to lost files, especially during operations like moving or renaming, you can recover them using WinfrGUI, a free recovery tool based on Microsoft’s Windows File Recovery.

  • Download WinfrGUI from the official site. Save it somewhere easy to find, like your desktop or Downloads folder.
Download WinfrGUI Free
  • Double-click the downloaded file and follow the setup instructions. It installs quickly. Once done, launch WinfrGUI from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.
  • On the main screen, you’ll see a list of drives (like C:, D:). Select the one where your files were before they went missing.
  • You can scan for all files, or filter by type — such as documents, photos, videos, or compressed files — to make the search faster and more focused.
help-choose-scan-methods
  • Choose a different drive or folder to save your recovered files. This helps prevent overwriting the lost data during the recovery process.
  • Once everything is set, click the Start Recovery button. WinfrGUI will begin scanning the selected drive for deleted or lost files.
help-start-recovery

Why it helps: This combo fix clears problematic cached data and gives you a lifeline for recovering important files affected during the crash.

Fix4. Check for Windows Updates

Outdated Windows systems are prone to bugs, including problems with File Explorer. Updating your operating system ensures that your system is running the latest fixes and improvements.

Why It Works:
Microsoft frequently releases updates that fix bugs and improve system performance. An outdated system is more likely to encounter issues like unresponsive File Explorer.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
  2. Go to Update & Security.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. If updates are available, let them install and restart your PC.
  5. Once updated, check if File Explorer is working properly.

Expert Insight: Keeping your system up-to-date is one of the most effective ways to prevent issues from arising in the first place.

Fix5. Disable Quick Access

Quick Access is a handy feature that shows recently accessed files and folders, but it can sometimes cause performance problems, especially if it’s overloaded.

Why It Works:
When Quick Access is cluttered with too many files or folders, it can slow down or freeze File Explorer. Disabling this feature may help resolve the issue.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Click on the View tab and select Options.
  3. In the General tab, under Privacy, uncheck both Show recently used files in Quick Access and Show frequently used folders in Quick Access.
  4. Click Clear next to Clear File Explorer history to remove existing data.
  5. Click OK to save changes.

Disabling Quick Access gives File Explorer a fresh start and may improve its responsiveness.

Need help closing a frozen app? Check out our guide👉 How to Force Quit on Windows When a Program Won’t Close — it walks you through easy steps using Task Manager or command line to shut down stuck programs safely.

Fix6. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can sometimes interfere with the proper functioning of File Explorer, especially when rendering large folders with many files.

Why It Works:
Outdated or faulty graphics drivers can cause visual glitches or slowdowns in File Explorer. Updating them ensures that all graphics and rendering tasks run smoothly.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click your graphics card and choose Update driver.
  4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to update your drivers.
  6. Restart your PC after the update.

Expert Tip: Keeping your drivers updated helps maintain system stability and performance.

Fix7. Perform a Clean Boot

If third-party software is conflicting with File Explorer, a clean boot can help identify and eliminate the problem. A clean boot starts Windows with only the essential services and programs.

Why It Works:
Some background programs or startup items may interfere with File Explorer’s operation. A clean boot allows you to identify and remove these conflicts.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, then type msconfig and press Enter.
  2. In the System Configuration window, click the Services tab.
  3. Check the box that says Hide all Microsoft services and then click Disable all.
  4. Next, go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
  5. Disable any unnecessary startup programs by right-clicking and selecting Disable.
  6. Close Task Manager and click OK in the System Configuration window.
  7. Restart your PC.

If File Explorer works after a clean boot, the issue is likely caused by a third-party program. You can gradually enable services and programs to identify the culprit.

Fix8. Reset or Reinstall Windows

If none of the previous fixes worked, a system reset or reinstall might be necessary. This should be your last resort, as it can take some time and may involve data loss.

Why It Works:
Resetting Windows restores your system to its default state, resolving deep-rooted issues that cannot be fixed through other methods.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
  2. Under Reset this PC, click Get Started.
  3. Choose whether to Keep my files or Remove everything.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your PC.
  5. After the reset, reinstall your apps and check if File Explorer works properly.

Expert Insight: A reset is a more drastic solution but can be effective when all other troubleshooting methods fail.

Conclusion

Dealing with a Windows File Explorer not responding issue can be annoying, but it’s usually fixable. By following these 8 quick fixes, you should be able to get your File Explorer back to normal. Start with the simplest solutions and work your way down if necessary. Don’t forget to keep your system updated and perform regular maintenance to prevent future issues. And if you encounter any file loss during these fixes, consider using WinfrGUI to recover your data.

Also Read👉10 Solutions to Microsoft Word Not Responding Not Saved Issue