What to Do If the Calculator Isn't Working on Windows

The Windows Calculator is a basic app that many users rely on daily. If it stops working, it can be quite inconvenient. Fortunately, there are several methods you can try to resolve the issue on your own.

1. Restart the Calculator App

Sometimes, simply closing and reopening the app can resolve temporary issues. To restart the Calculator:

  • Close the app if it’s open.
  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  • Look for Calculator in the list of processes, and if it’s there, end it.
  • Reopen the Calculator through the Start menu.

2. Restart Your Computer

Sometimes, the problem is caused by temporary system glitches that can be resolved with a simple reboot. Try restarting your computer to see if the Calculator starts working again.

3. Reset the Calculator App

If restarting doesn’t help, you can try resetting the app:

  • Open Settings from the Start menu.
  • Go to Apps and find Calculator in the list of installed applications.
  • Click on it, then select Advanced options.
  • Choose Reset and confirm the action.

4. Check for Windows Updates

Occasionally, issues with system applications are due to bugs in the operating system itself. Installing the latest updates may help:

  • Go to Settings, then select Update & Security.
  • Click Check for updates and wait for the scan to complete.
  • If updates are available, install them and restart your computer.

5. Reinstall the Calculator App

If resetting didn’t work, you can try reinstalling the Calculator:

  • Open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu.
  • Search for Windows Calculator and uninstall it.
  • After uninstalling, reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.

6. Run the Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can identify and fix problems with apps:

  • Go to Settings and select Update & Security.
  • Open the Troubleshoot tab, then choose Additional troubleshooters.
  • Find Windows Store Apps and run the troubleshooter.

7. Run a System File Check

In some cases, problems may be due to corrupted system files. You can use the SFC command to restore them:

  • Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
  • Type sfc /scannow in the command line and press Enter.
  • Wait for the scan to complete, and restart your computer if any issues are found.