// troubleshooting guide · microsoft powertoys
PowerToys Settings Not Opening
- Status
- Workaround available
- platforms:
- Windows 10, Windows 11
- updated:
- November 15, 2026
- reports:
- 3
- Method
- how we research
RUNBOOK · powertoys/settings-not-opening4 FIXES
// quick answer
If the Settings window won't open or is blank, quit PowerToys from the tray, start it again, then update to the latest release. A clean reinstall fixes most broken installs left by failed updates.
Most likely fix: Restart PowerToys
How to fix it
// try these in order, the most common fix is first
FIX 1Restart PowerToys
- 01Right-click the tray icon > Exit
- 02Start PowerToys again from Start
Did this fix it?FIX 2Update to the latest version
- 01Download from GitHub releases or run 'winget upgrade Microsoft.PowerToys'
Did this fix it?FIX 3Disable the module that crashes on start
- 01Close PowerToys
- 02One user fix: set the crashing module (e.g. Peek) to false in the settings JSON under %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\PowerToys
- 03Start PowerToys again
Did this fix it?FIX 4Reinstall
- 01Uninstall from Settings > Apps
- 02Install the latest release fresh
Did this fix it?
Symptoms
Clicking the tray icon or Settings does nothing, the window is blank, or PowerToys closes on start.
Why it happens
- C-01Failed or partial update
- C-02Corrupt settings files after a crash
- C-03Bugs in specific older releases (e.g. 0.53 elevation bug fixed in 0.55.1)
// this guide also covers
- powertoys settings not opening
- powertoys not starting
- powertoys settings blank
- powertoys won't open
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