Fixing Apps That Crash or Won’t Open: A Step-by-Step Guide

Feb 8

Written By Chad .

Fixing Apps That Crash or Won’t Open: A Step-by-Step Guide

Few things are more frustrating than an app that refuses to open or crashes unexpectedly. Whether you're dealing with a game, productivity tool, or essential software, troubleshooting the issue can help restore functionality. Here’s how to fix apps that won’t open or keep crashing.

1. Restart Your Device

Before diving into complex solutions, try restarting your computer or mobile device.

Windows: Click Start > Power > Restart.
Mac: Click Apple Menu > Restart.
Mobile Devices: Hold the power button and select Restart.

A simple reboot clears temporary glitches that might be causing the problem.

2. Check for App Updates

Outdated apps may crash due to compatibility issues or software bugs.

Windows & Mac: Open the respective app store or the developer’s website to check for updates.
Android: Open Google Play Store > Manage Apps & Device > Updates.
iOS: Go to App Store > Updates and install any pending updates.

3. Update Your Operating System

An outdated OS can cause compatibility problems with newer app versions.

Windows: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Mac: Click Apple Menu > System Settings > Software Update.
Mobile Devices: Check for updates in Settings > System > Software Update.

4. Clear Cache and Temporary Files

Corrupted cache files can prevent apps from opening or cause them to crash.

Windows: Open Run (Win + R) and type %temp% to delete temporary files.
Mac: Open Finder > Go > Go to Folder and type ~/Library/Caches/.
Android: Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear Cache.
iOS: Uninstall and reinstall the app, as iOS does not offer a direct cache-clearing option.

5. Run the App as an Administrator (Windows Only)

Some apps require administrative privileges to function correctly.

Right-click the app icon and select Run as Administrator.
If the issue is resolved, adjust settings permanently by right-clicking the app, selecting Properties > Compatibility > Run this program as an administrator.

6. Reinstall the App

If the app remains unresponsive, uninstall and reinstall it.

Windows & Mac: Delete the app from Control Panel > Programs or Applications Folder.
Android & iOS: Long press the app icon and select Uninstall/Delete, then reinstall from the app store.

7. Check for Conflicting Software

Certain apps may conflict with antivirus software or other background processes.

Temporarily disable your antivirus and test the app.
Close unnecessary programs running in the background via Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac).

8. Check for Sufficient Storage Space

Low storage can cause apps to crash or fail to open.

Windows: Open Settings > Storage to clear space.
Mac: Use About This Mac > Storage to manage files.
Mobile Devices: Delete unused apps, photos, or videos to free up space.

9. Run System Diagnostics

System issues could be affecting app performance.

Windows: Run System File Checker (SFC) by opening Command Prompt and typing sfc /scannow.
Mac: Use Disk Utility > First Aid to check for errors.

10. Contact Support or Look for Error Logs

If none of the above solutions work, reach out to the app’s support team. Check for error messages or logs within the app or system settings that may help diagnose the issue.

ABQ Computer Pros: Your App Troubleshooting Experts

If your apps keep crashing or won’t open, ABQ Computer Pros is here to help. We specialize in troubleshooting software issues, optimizing performance, and ensuring seamless app functionality. Contact us today for expert assistance and fast solutions!

Chad .