Windows 11 Not Opening JPG Files? Here’s What to Do

Basic Fixes

• Shorten the file name and reduce its size: Windows 11 may fail to open a JPG image file if its name or file size exceeds the default limit. Right-click the JPG file to rename it and reduce the image size online.
• Set the Photos app as the default viewer for JPG files: Open Windows Settings, select Apps from the sidebar and click Default apps. Select Photos in the app list and assign it to the .jpg file type.
• Update Windows 11: Open the Settings app using the Windows + I shortcut, select Windows Update from the sidebar, and install available system updates.

Fix 1: Repair or Reset the Photos App

Existing issues or glitches in the Photos app can prevent it from opening JPG files. Repair or reset it manually to restore its normal functioning.

Step 1: Press the Windows key, search Photos, and right-click it to open its App settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and click Repair. If the issue persists, select Reset to restore the app to its factory defaults.

Fix 2: Update or Reinstall the Photos App

The default Photos app on Windows 11 may fail to open JPG or other image files if its app components are obsolete. To fix it, update or reinstall the Photos app from the Microsoft Store.

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store, search Microsoft Photos, and click Update (if available).

Step 2: Alternatively, press the Windows + I shortcut to open Settings, select Apps from the sidebar, and click Installed apps.

Step 3: Type Photos in the search bar, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select Uninstall. Head to the Microsoft Store to install it afresh.

Fix 3: Re-Register All Microsoft Store Apps

If repairing, resetting, or updating the Photos app doesn’t resolve the issue, use Windows PowerShell to re-register all Microsoft Store apps (including Photos) on Windows 11.

Step 1: Press the Windows key, search Windows PowerShell, and click Run as Administrator.

Step 2: Copy-paste the below command and hit Enter to re-register all Microsoft Store apps on Windows 11.

Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Fix 4: Repair Corrupt System Files

Lastly, corrupt system components can create issues in opening JPG files on Windows 11. Repair them using SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) commands and retry opening the JPG image files.

Step 1: Press the Windows key, search CMD, and click Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type sfc /scannow in the console and press Enter to scan and fix corrupt system files.

Step 3: Finally, execute the following DISM commands sequentially and reboot your Windows 11 PC.

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