MS Paint hanging up and closing

Question

I'm using Win 11 with the latest updates (OS build 26100.8037) on a Dell Desktop PC.

I use MS Paint regularly for editing photos, making sketches, etc.

About two or three weeks ago, I went to use the Pencil tool. I tried to draw a line and the cursor froze for about 10 seconds then Paint closed completely, losing all my markups/sketches to this document.

Huh. That was weird. Tried again on a new document. Pencil hangs up and Paint closes. SO I've been avoiding using the pencil. Everything else seemed to work properly. :-/

My PC has been turned off and on a few times since the above and still have the same result

Today, I was making a sketch and chose the eraser tool, went to a line to erase it, and YUP. It froze then Paint closed after a delay.

SO I did a google search about it. The items suggested were:

1. Do a repair of paint - which I did. There were two levels of repair. Neither solved the issue.
2. Confirm the Drivers are up to date for the display driver... Did that. MS says I'm up to date.
3. Uninstall and re-install Paint. I've done that. STILL Paint locks up.
4. Hard Boot the PC. And still Paint locks up.

SO what is the solution to this??

Please advise

Answer 1

Please try this if it helps.

Uninstall Microsoft Paint app again using PowerShell

Press Windows key + X

Click and Run Windows PowerShell (Admin)

Copy and paste the command below then press Enter

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MSPaint | Remove-AppxPackage

After that, open Microsoft Edge

Please try to visit https://store.rg-adguard.net/

In the drop-down list menu on the right side, select Retail

Search for:

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9pcfs5b6t72h?hl=en-US&gl=PH

Click the check mark

Download an older version: Microsoft.Paint_11.2512.221.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.msixbundle (726.88 MB)

Double-click the downloaded file to install

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Answer 2

Hi, good day!

Have you tried the AI-suggested solutions?

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Let me know the Paint app version

Press Start then search Paint

Right click it then select App settings

Please see Specifications and look for the version

I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Do keep me informed by clicking "Add comment" below.

Answer 3

The behavior described (specific tools in a built‑in app freezing and closing, despite repair/reinstall and updated drivers) is consistent with deeper Windows or driver corruption rather than a simple Paint issue.

Based on the provided material, the supported remediation paths for similar app and system issues on Windows 11 are:

1. Make sure Windows itself is fully healthy and updated
   • Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
   • If updates are available, select Install now and restart when prompted.
   • This step is recommended for both Store apps and Office/desktop apps when they crash or show “stopped working” behavior.
2. Check for incompatible or damaged device drivers
   • Older or incompatible drivers (especially video/display, printer, mouse, keyboard) can cause apps to freeze or close.
   • After running Windows Update, explicitly verify these drivers from the manufacturer’s site:
     • Display adapter (GPU) driver
     • Mouse/pen/tablet input driver (if using any drawing tablet or special mouse)
   • For each device, download and install the latest Windows 11–compatible driver from the manufacturer’s support website, then restart.
3. Use Windows app repair/reset for Store apps
   • For Store apps that hang or won’t work correctly, the supported sequence is:
     1. Close and reopen the app.
     2. Ensure Windows is up to date (step 1 above).
     3. Update Microsoft Store and the app:
        • Open Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates and let updates install.
     4. Repair or reset the app:
        • Use Settings > Apps > Installed apps > select the app > Advanced options > Repair or Reset.
     5. If needed, uninstall and reinstall the app from Microsoft Store.
   • These are the same steps already applied to Paint; combined with driver and system repair they are usually sufficient.
4. Perform advanced system repair if services or core components are corrupted
   • When app crashes persist after repair/reinstall and driver updates, and especially if other symptoms appear (Windows Update errors, Store issues, or other apps failing), the supported next step is an in‑place repair of Windows 11 using the ISO (repair install). This refreshes system files while keeping personal files, apps, and most settings.
   • The documented guidance for similar corruption cases (e.g., Windows Update error 0x8007041D with service error 1053) is to:
     • Download the Windows 11 ISO that matches the installed language and edition.
     • Disconnect from the internet and external devices.
     • Temporarily disable third‑party antivirus.
     • Mount the ISO in File Explorer and run Setup.exe.
     • Choose to keep files and apps when prompted.
   • This process is described as “just like an update” and is used when the system is “very corrupt” and normal fixes do not resolve app and update problems.
5. If instability continues after repair install
   • For severe or persistent instability (multiple apps freezing, services failing, drivers showing errors) that remains after an in‑place repair, the supported escalation is a Reset this PC with Keep my files:
     • Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC > Keep my files.
     • This reinstalls Windows while preserving personal data, but removes apps and settings.
   • As a last resort, a full factory reset (removing everything) is used if even a reset with “Keep my files” does not stabilize the system.

In this scenario, since Paint has already been repaired and reinstalled and display drivers are reported as up to date, the next supported steps are:

1. Re‑check Windows Update and install all pending updates.
2. Update GPU and input device drivers directly from the hardware manufacturer’s site.
3. If Paint still freezes, perform an in‑place repair of Windows 11 using the ISO while keeping files and apps.
4. If the issue persists and other apps also misbehave, use Reset this PC with Keep my files.

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References:

• Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store
• I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC
• Fix printer driver compatibility issues in Windows
• Plethora of issues relating to windows and possibly security. - Microsoft Q&A
• i get this code when i try to update windows 0x8007041D. - Microsoft Q&A