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Windows 10/11 File Explorer dark theme not working [Fixed]
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Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Using a darkthemeon yourPCcan be useful, but many users reported that the darkthemeinFile Explorerisn’t working for them onWindows 10.
This can be a problem, and in today’s article, we’ll show you how to fix this issue.
Darkthemeis a welcome addition to Windows, but some users reported issues with the darkthemeandFile Explorer. Here’s how you can easily solve them.
If your system is up to date, and you’re running the latestWindows 10build, be sure to try all other solutions from this article.
They may be applied to any of these common problems that users often face:
What can I do if the File Explorer dark theme is not working?
1. Make sure that you have the latest updates installed
1.1 Check the version
If the darkthemeisn’t available forFile Exploreron yourPC, the issue is most likely related to a missing update.
The darkthemeinFile Exploreris a new feature, and so far it’s available only inWindows 10 October updateor later.
If you don’t have a newer build installed, then you won’t be able to use the darkthemeon yourPC. To see if you have the latest build installed, you just need to follow the above steps.
1.2 Check for updates
Windows will now check for available updates and try to download them in the background.
Bear in mind that this method doesn’t always work, and if that’s the case, you’ll need to use theMedia Creation ToolandWindows 10ISO.
We wrote a detailed guide onhow to install Windows 10 October Update from an ISO file, so be sure to check it out for step-by-step instructions.
Once yourPCis up to date and you have the latest build installed, the problem should be fixed, and you’ll be able to use the darkthemewithout any issues.
Which is the latest version of Windows 10? Find out from our constantly updated article!
2. Switch to the default theme
After doing that, you’ll switch back to the defaulttheme, and the darkthemeshould start working inFile Explorer.
Windows 10 supports a wide range of customization, and it allows you to switch between many differentthemes.
Usually thesethemescome with their own color palette, and while thesethemesallow you to customize your Windows experience, they can also sometimes cause issues to appear.
Apparently, the darkthemeforFile Explorerisn’t available unless you’re using the defaulttheme.
Several users confirmed this, and according to them, the darkthemebecame available as soon as they switched to the defaulttheme.
3. Restart File Explorer
After a couple of moments, WindowsExplorershould restart and you should be able to switch to the darkthemeinFile Explorer.
If the darkthemeisn’t working on yourPC, perhaps the issue is related toFile Explorer. Sometimes there might be certain glitches with your system.
However, you can fix that issue simply by restartingFile Explorer. To do that, just follow the above steps.
4. Log out and log back in
As we previously mentioned, sometimes glitches with Windows can cause issues with a darkthemeto appear.
According to users, if you’re not able to use the darkFile Explorerthemeon yourPC, you can try logging out of your account and logging back in.
Sometimes this can help you with certain glitches, and you can log out by completing the above procedure. After doing that, you should be able to use the darkthemeon yourPC.
5. Create a new user account
If you’re still unable to use a darkthemeinFile Explorer, it’s possible that your user account is corrupted.
This can happen for various reasons, but you can fix this problem simply by creating a new user account.
Since there isn’t a straightforward way to fix a corrupted user account, your best option would be to create a new user account. This is quite simple to do, as you can see above.
After doing that, you should have a new account ready to go. To check if the problem is resolved, switch to the new account and try activating the darktheme.
If the darkthemeworks on the new account, you should perhaps move all your personal files to it and start using it instead of your old account.
Do you want to learn how to manage User Account Control like a pro? This guide will help you!
6. Run SFC and DISM scans
6.1 Run the SFC scan
If the darkthemeisn’t working inFile Explorer, it’s possible that your installation is damaged. This can happen for various reasons, and in order to fix the problem, it’s advised to run an SFC scan.
The procedure is quite simple, and you can do it by following the previous steps, After the SFC scan is finished, check if the problem is still there.
If you couldn’t run an SFC scan or if the scan didn’t fix the problem, you need to perform aDISMscan by doing the steps in the next solution.
6.2 Run the DISM scan
After the scan is completed, check if the problem is still there. If you couldn’t run anSFCscan before for some reason, try running it after the DISM scan and check if that helps.
If you need more info on DISM and how to use it, check outour detailed guideto master it like a professional.
DarkthemeforFile Exploreris a great addition toWindows 10, but if the darkthemeisn’t working for you, the issue is most likely related to the missing updates.
One of our readers also suggested uninstalling f.lux or any other night filter that could interfere with the File Explorer’s Dark Theme so make sure to check that too.
If you have any other suggestions, you are more than welcome to leave them in our comments section below. As you can see, we pay attention to our reader’s suggestions.
More about the topics:dark mode,File Explorer
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
