5 Ways to Fix Command Prompt Not Working on Windows 11

Quick Tips

• Run SFC and DISM scans to fix system files that may be causing Command Prompt to malfunction.
• Consider booting your PC in clean boot mode to check if a third-party app or program is causing issues with Command Prompt.
• If Command Prompt continues to malfunction, create a new user account or perform a system restore.

Fix 1: Run SFC and DISM Scans

Corrupted or missing system files can malfunction Command Prompt on Windows. If that’s the case, running the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scans should help.

Step 1: Right-click the Start icon and select Terminal (Admin) from the list.

Step 2: In the console, type the following command and press Enter.

SFC /scannow

Step 3: Run the following commands one by one and press Enter after each one to run the DISM scan:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Restart your PC after the scan is complete, and check if the issue persists.

Fix 2: Update the System Environment Variables Path

Command Prompt might fail to run commands if there are issues with the environment variables path on your PC. To remedy that, create a new path by following the steps below.

Step 1: Press Windows key + R to launch the Run dialog box. Type sysdm.cpl in the box and press Enter.

Step 2: Switch to the Advanced tab and click Environment Variables.

Step 3: In the following window, select Path and click Edit.

Step 4: Click New and enter this path: C:\Windows\SysWow64\

Fix 3: Create a New User Account

If you still can’t use the Command Prompt, there might be an issue with your user account files. So, your best option is to create and switch to a new user account.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings app and head to Accounts > Other users.

Step 2: Click Add account.

Step 3: Click the I don’t have this person’s sign-in information option and follow the on-screen prompts to create a new account.

Switch to the newly created user account and see if the Command Prompt works fine.

Fix 4: Try Clean Boot Mode

Booting your PC in a clean boot state can help you determine whether Command Prompt is malfunctioning due to interference from a third-party app or service.

To boot Windows into a clean boot mode:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog box, type msconfig in the Open field, and press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to the Services tab > tick the box for Hide all Microsoft services > click Disable all.

Step 3: Switch to the Startup tab > click on Open Task Manager.

Step 4: Select a third-party app or program and click Disable. Repeat this step to disable all third-party apps and programs.

After completing the above steps, restart your PC and use Command Prompt again. If you don’t encounter any problems, one of your third-party apps or programs may be to blame. In that case, remove any recently installed apps and programs one by one to fix the problem.

Fix 5: Perform System Restore

The System Restore feature in Windows 11 periodically backs up your entire PC. You can use it to revert to the point when the Command Prompt was working fine. Here’s how:

Step 1: Click the search icon on the taskbar, type create a restore point, and press Enter.

Step 2: Under the System Protection tab, click System Restore.

Step 3: Select Recommended restore and click Next.

Step 4: Review all the details and hit Finish.