I tried multiple ways to open settings. Nothing works. what can I do?

Question

I tried multiple ways to open settings. Nothing works. what can I do.......?

Answer 1

Some other people are reporting this problem at the moment, this may be caused by the latest update.

Start your PC, just as Windows attempts to load (spinning dots), press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a Hard Shut Down

Do this twice

On the third start Windows will boot into the Recovery Environment and from there you can access System Repair, Safe Mode, Command Prompt... etc.

Please try each option one at a time, then see if the Settings app will then open correctly.

1

If there is an option to uninstall the latest update, that may be the best option.

2

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - System Restore

Check to see if you have a restore point you can go back to

Answer 2

Try these steps in order on Windows 11 to get the Settings app working again:

1. Open Settings with the keyboard shortcut
   Press Windows logo key + I. The Settings window should open and the screen reader (if used) will say: “Settings window, search box; find a setting.”
2. Use Start menu search
   Press Windows logo key, type Settings, then press Enter.
3. Re‑register the Settings app (and other built‑in apps)
   If Settings still does not open or crashes, re‑register it via PowerShell:
   1. Press Windows logo key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
   2. Run these commands one at a time (copy, paste, press Enter after each):

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

   3. Ignore red error lines, let each command finish.
   4. Restart the PC.
   5. After restart, try Windows logo key + I again.
4. Navigate once Settings opens (for keyboard/screen reader users)
   When Settings opens:
   • Use Tab to move through controls and categories (System, Bluetooth & devices, Network & Internet, etc.).
   • Press Enter on a category to open it.
   • If an option is announced as “Link”, press Enter to open that view.
   • To return to the main Settings window, press Tab until the category name (for example, “System”) is heard.

If Settings still does not open after re‑registering apps and restarting, further repair steps outside this context (such as system repair or reset) are required.

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References:

• Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Settings in Windows
• Understand and explore Windows Settings
• Network settings crash settings app, wifi and Ethernet not working or appearing - Microsoft Q&A