Fix: File Explorer Not Responding

The File Explorer in Windows operating systems is a utility that acts as a File Manager. It gives easier access to your files and folders and keeps them organized. However, sometimes the users face the “File Explorer not Responding” issue and it gets very frustrating for them when they are unable to make use of this utility. In this article, we will explain to you some methods through which you can fix the “File Explorer not Responding” issue.

What are the Main Causes of the “File Explorer not Responding” Issue?

The “File Explorer not Responding” issue can arise because of any of the following reasons:

In order to fix the “File Explorer not Responding” issue, you can make use of any of the five methods listed below:

Solution 1: Restarting the File Explorer Using the Task Manager:

In this method, we will explain to you how you can restart the File Explorer so that if the explorer.exe file has some issues, they can immediately be resolved by restarting it. In order to fix the “File Explorer not Responding” issue by restarting the File Explorer using the Task Manager, you will need to perform the following steps:

1. Press Ctrl+ Shift+ Esc in order to launch the Task Manager. The newly opened Task Manager window is shown in the following image:

2. Now right click on the Windows Explorer tab as highlighted in the image shown above in order to launch a cascading menu.

3. Select the End Task option from this menu as highlighted in the image shown above.
4. Now click on the File Tab in order to launch a menu and then select the Run New Task option from this menu as highlighted in the image shown below:

5. As soon as you will click on this option, the Run New Task dialogue box will appear on your screen as shown in the following image:

6. Type explorer.exe in the textbox corresponding to the Open field and then click on the OK button in order to resolve the “File Explorer not Responding” issue as highlighted in the image shown above.

Solution 2: By Restarting the File Explorer Using the Command Prompt:

The first and foremost thing that should come to your mind when you encounter this issue is to check if the explorer.exe file has a problem while running. You can do this simply by restarting your explorer.exe file. In order to fix the “File Explorer not Responding” issue by restarting the File Explorer using the Command Prompt, you will need to perform the following steps:

1. Type cmd in the search section of your taskbar and click on the search result in order to launch the Command Prompt The newly opened Command Prompt window is shown in the following image:

2. Now type the command, taskkill /f /im explorer.exe in your Command Prompt window and then press the Enter key in order to close the File Explorer. This command is also highlighted in the image shown below:

3. After running this command, type the command, start explorer.exe in your Command Prompt window and then press the Enter key in order to fix the “File Explorer not Responding” issue. This command is also highlighted in the following image:

Solution 3: Running the System File Checker:

Sometimes, this issue arises because another program while running in your computer system has triggered an event that caused an abnormality in your File Explorer. In this situation, you need to look for that program that is the root cause of this issue and then terminate it. In order to fix the “File Explorer not Responding” issue by running the File Checker Scan, you will need to perform the following steps:

1. Type cmd in the search section of your taskbar and right click on the search result in order to launch a menu. Then select the Run as Administrator option from this menu in order to launch the Command Prompt with administrative privileges as shown in the following image:

2. Now type the command, sfc /scannow and then press the Enter key in order to start the File Checker Scan for fixing the “File Explorer not Responding” issue. This command is also highlighted in the image shown below:

Solution 4: By Clearing the File Explorer History:

At times, you File Explorer History has so much data of the past events that it becomes responsible for slowing down the performance of your File Explorer. You should wipe off your File Explorer History so that it can perform as desired. In order to fix the “File Explorer not Responding” issue by Clearing the File Explorer History, you will need to perform the following steps:

1. Type Control Panel in the search section of your taskbar and click on the search result to launch the new Control Panel The newly opened Control Panel window is shown in the following image:

2. Now click on the File Explorer Options tab as highlighted in the image shown above.
3. In the File Explorer Options window, click on the Clear button corresponding to the field saying, “Clear File Explorer History” as highlighted in the image shown below:

4. Now click on the OK button in order to close the File Explorer History window as highlighted in the image shown above. Finally, reopen your File Explorer to see if your issue has been fixed.

Solution 5: Changing the Display Settings:

It is reported that if you change your recommended Display settings, then your File Explorer stops responding at times. Therefore, you should immediately restore the recommended Display settings. In order to fix the “File Explorer not Responding” issue by Changing the Display Settings, you will need to perform the following steps:

1. Press Win+ I in order to launch the Settings The newly opened Settings window is shown in the following image:

2. Now click on the System tab as highlighted in the image shown above.
3. Select the Recommended option from the dropdown list corresponding to the field saying, “Change the size of text, apps, and other items” as highlighted in the image shown below:

4. Finally, try to reopen your File Explorer in order to see if your issue has been fixed.

By following any of the five methods discussed in this article, you can easily fix the “File Explorer not Responding” issue. All of these methods are quite simple and convenient to use. It entirely depends upon your own choice that which method you follow in order to get your issue resolved.

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