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Windows Journal Cannot Open: How to Fix This Unexpected Error

Check expert-approved solutions for a quick fix

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Microsoft Journal is one of the essential Windows apps that recently received a significant upgrade and now delivers a more user-friendly and feature-loaded experience. But, many report that Windows Journal cannot open specific files on their PC.

The error message, in this case, reads,There was a problem trying to open the journalfollowed by the file name. It lists two possible causes, file corruption and change of location, and we will be looking at that and other possible solutions.

What can I do if Windows Journal cannot open?

What can I do if Windows Journal cannot open?

1. Check if the file exists in the location

Your primary approach when Windows Journal cannot open is to verify that the file is stored in the default location. If this doesn’t help, head to the following method.

2. Move the file to another location

Several users fixed the problem by moving the problematic file to another folder when Windows Journal could not open it. So, make sure to give it a try.

3. Reinstall Windows Journal

If nothing so far has worked, it’s likely a problem with the Windows Journal app itself when it cannot open files, and reinstalling it should do the trick. You can also download Windows Journal from theofficial website.

4. Go with a similar app

When all else fails to work, the last option is to use an alternative to Journal. There are severaluseful journal-keeping appsthat work pretty similarly to the one offered by Microsoft.

Also, several users went fordiary apps in Windowssince these are slightly more straightforward. But the eJournal app, after receiving updates, has become the user’s first choice.

If Windows Journal cannot open files, you know how to fix things quickly. And in case you were looking foracademic writing software, we have just the ones. Besides, do not forget to share which solution worked for you in the comments section.

Kazim Ali Alvi

Windows Hardware Expert

Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.

Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.

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Kazim Ali Alvi

Windows Hardware Expert

Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.