Why File Explorer not Responding Windows 10?

Is the File Explorer not responding on your Windows 10 Operating System? However, it is frequent error notification that a lot of Windows 10 users face in general. Therefore, you need not fret or panic. There are several fixes that you can try to eradicate this frustrating error notification on your own. Additionally, you may encounter this error notification due to numerous reasons.

Hence, if you are wondering how to get rid of this error notification, then pat your back. This is because you have now dropped on the right page. In this guide, we are going to discuss some of the most effective and easiest troubleshooting hacks to eliminate and address the file explorer flaws in the Windows 10 OS. It is advised to follow through the troubleshooting hacks in their order for best results.

File Explorer Not Responding Windows 10: Pick your Solutions

There are several approaches to settle this File Explorer not responding error notification on the Windows 10 OS, some of which are given below. All the troubleshooting hacks suggested here are tested and tried and can assist you to resolve this issue within a flicker of time. Thus, without delaying too much, let’s get into the solutions directly:

Way 1: Change the Display Settings

Sometimes, this annoying error notification may arise because of the incompatible settings of the display. Therefore, by changing the settings or restoring them to the default settings might diagnose this error notification for you. To perform this action, follow the steps below:

1. Press down the Windows key on the keyboard.
2. After that, choose the Settings option under the Start menu.
3. Tap on the System option from the Settings menu.
4. Now, go to the Display tab In the System screen. You may get this option in the left-hand panel (if it isn’t already).
5. Next, you need to change the size of your text in the Display tab. You need to change the size of the text by utilizing the bar on the right panel of the screen. Additionally, this should be the bar in the change the size of the applications, text and other items. (Recommended) 100% you can select any percentage except for 175 percentage. Configuring the bar to 175 percentage is known to cause the error file explorer not working error.
6. Once you select the size of the font, tap on the Ok button.
7. After completing all the above-described steps, restart the system for good measure.
8. At last, try to open the file explorer and verify the error notification is resolved or not. In case, if the issue still persists, then you need to move out to the next troubleshooting method.

Way 2: Close the Applications and Programs like the AntiVirus

If you are using any antivirus application, then it might be the reason for this error notification. In such a case, it is very important that you must utilize the Task Manager of the system to close the application. Thus, to close the anti-virus application, go through the following steps:

1. On your keyboard, press down the Ctrl key + Shift key and Esc key simultaneously
2. This key combination will open the Task Manager.
3. Now, tap on the Processes under the Task Manager.
4. Here, you can find numerous columns. You require to find for the Description column in the Processes tab and find the process which is related to the anti-virus application.
5. Now, choose the anti-virus process on the list.
6. After that, hit the End Process button. You may get this button in the bottom right panel of the screen.
7. You need to choose the Yes button whenever prompted for confirmation.
8. After completing all the above-described steps, restart the system.
9. At last, try to open the file explorer and verify the error notification is resolved or not.

In case if the issue still persists, then you need to ensure that there are not any other security software operating in the background. Additionally, there might be another application on the system other than the security-related programs might be prompting this error notification. Therefore, try to disable as many programs as you can to verify if the error is fixed or not.

Way 3: Restart the File Explorer

Some of the annoying technical glitches can be resolved by a simple restart. Thus, why not you accomplish the same trick for the file explorer to eradicate the ‘not responding’ error notification? To restart the file explorer, follow the steps below:

1. On your keyboard, press down the Ctrl key + Shift key and Esc key simultaneously
2. This key combination will open the Task Manager.
3. Now, tap on the Processes under the Task Manager.
4. Next, locate the Windows Explorer in the Processes tab.
5. Tap on the Windows Explorer.  
6. Next, tap on the Restart bottom. You may get this option at the bottom right corner of the screen.
7. The restarting process may take some time to completes. Thus, you need to wait until the entire restarting process completes.
8. After completing all the steps, restart the system.
9. At last, try to open the file explorer to verify if the error is resolved or not.

Way 4: Change the File Explorer Options

A lot of Windows user has reported that they resolved this issue by changing the file explorer option. Moreover, this is not a troublesome task. To change the file explorer option, go through the easy steps mentioned below:

1. Press the Windows logo key and at the same time press down the “R” key on your keyboard. This key combination will invoke the Run dialog box.
2. Go to the Run dialog box and write ‘control panel’ in the box’. Tap on the Ok button. Alternatively, you can press down the Enter key on your keyboard.
3. Now, write ‘File Explorer option’ in the search box.
4. Choose the File Explorer options from the list.  
5. This process will invoke the Folder Options.
6. Next, choose the General tab if it isn’t already
7. Choose this system in the drop-down menu.
8. After completing all the above-described steps, tap on the Ok button.
9. Now, the error should be resolved.

In case, if the issue still persists, then you need to move out to the next troubleshooting method.

Way 5: Clear History Cache and Create New Path

If the above-mentioned method did not work for you, then, follow this method in order to get rid of this issue. By clearing the history cache and creating a new path, you can easily eliminate this annoying file explorer not responding Windows 10 error notification. To perform this action, follow the steps below:

1. At first, go to the Taskbar.
2. After that, right-click on the File Explorer icon on the Taskbar.
3. Select the Unpin from Taskbar option.
4. Now, press down the Windows Logo key and at the same time press down the X key on your keyboard.  
5. After that, choose the File Explorer in the list of options.
6. Now, right-click on the Quick access link and hit Options.
7. Navigate to the General tab.
8. Select the Clear option in the Privacy category under the General tab.
9. This process will assist you to clear the entire history of the file explorer.
10. Next, you need to right-click on the blank spot on the system.
11. Tap on the New option.
12. Next, choose the Shortcut option in the New option.
13. After that, you need to write the following address: C:\Windows\explorer.exe.
14. Tap on the Next button to proceed further.  
15. Rename the file to the file explorer and choose the Finish button.
16. Now, right-click on the newly created shot cut.
17. Select the Pin to Taskbar option.
18. After completing all the above-described steps, restart the system for good measure.
19. This should help you to eradicate the issue.

If the issue still persists, then move out to the next troubleshooting method.

Way 6: Disable the Windows Search

By disabling the Windows search, you can surely fix this error notification from the root. Moreover, it is not a troublesome task. You just need to follow some easy steps. The steps are hereunder:

1. Press down the Windows logo key and at the same time press down the “S” key on the keyboard to launch the Cortana Search bar.
2. Now, go to the search box and write ‘cmd.exe’. Choose the Ok button. Alternatively, you can press down the Enter key on the keyboard.
3. Right-click on the Command Prompt in the list of options. Select the Run as Administrator option.
4. Tap on the Yes button in the UAC window on-screen prompt.
5. Go to the Command prompt window and enter the following command.
6. Command: “net.exe stop “Windows search”
7. Press down the Enter key on your keyboard.

Additional Steps:

In case, if you would like to stop the Windows search permanently, then you need to execute the steps below:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and at the same time press the R key on the keyboard. This key combination will invoke the Run dialog box.
2. Go to the Run dialog box and write ‘services.msc’. Tap on the Ok button. Alternatively, you can press down the Enter key on your keyboard.
3. Now, you need to locate the Windows search option. Double-click on the Windows search option to enter its Properties screen.
4. Now, change the Startup type to Disabled option.
5. Choose the Save option to save the changes that you have made.
6. After completing all the above-described steps, restart the system.

At last, try to open the file explorer to see whether the error has been resolved or not. In case, if the error still persists, then move out to the below fixes.

Way 7: Run the System File Checker

With the help of this method, you can easily repair the corrupted registry files and keys of the system. Therefore, to run the System File Checker, follow these steps:

1. Press down the Windows logo key and at the same time press down the S key on your keyboard. This process will launch the Cortana Search bar.
2. Now, write ‘cmd’ in the Cortana Search bar.
3. After that, right-click on the Command Prompt icon.
4. Choose the ‘Run As Administrator’ option.
5. Next, write the ‘sfc/scannow’ command in the Command Prompt. Press down the Enter key to proceed further.
6. Now, the System File Checker tool will start the scanning process for technical errors and corrupted files in the system.
7. The scanning process may take some time to completes. Therefore, be patient and wait until the entire scanning process completes.
8. After completing the scanning process, restart the system.

Wrapping Up

That’s it! We hope that our suggestions and instructions prove to be useful to you and help you to get rid of this file explorer not responding or not working error notification. By implementing the troubleshooting hacks with the correct manner, you can easily fix this error notification within a flicker of time. Try the above-mentioned troubleshooting hacks and see which one is giving you the ultimate troubleshooting solution in no time. For more such tech related posts keep an eye on our upcoming articles by which you will get a benefit for sure.