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Windows Terminal Not Working: 6 Ways to Enable or Reset It

Malware or virus attacks can limit Windows Terminal’s performance

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Windows Terminal not working on your device is one of the most annoying issues you can encounter. It will prevent your access to the Command Prompt, PowerShell, Azure Cloud Shell, and other command-line tools. Hence, this article will discuss some easy fixes to resolve the problem.

Also, you may be interested in our article about thebest Windows 11 Terminal emulators to installon your PC.

Why is the Windows Terminal not working?

Since Windows Terminal is a pre-installed program on Windows, the causes may vary. Some of the notable ones are:

Fortunately, you can resolve the Windows Terminal not opening on Windows 11 by following the steps outlined below.

What can I do if the Windows Terminal is not working?

Before anything, go through the following:

If you can’t fix the problem, try the solutions below:

1. Ensure Windows Terminal is enabled

Toggling Off and On the switch for Windows Terminal in App execution aliases performs a mini reset and refreshes its processes.

2. Run an SFC scan

Performing an SFC scan will verify the integrity of your system files and repair the corrupt ones causing the issue.

Read our guide onhow to fix the run as administrator option if it’s not workingon your PC.

3. Repair and reset Windows Terminal via the Settings app

The Repair and Resetting option of the Windows Terminal will fix the corrupt installation files affecting it and restore it to the default healthy state.

4. Reset Windows Terminal via Command Prompt

The above command line will reset Windows Terminal to the default settings and resolve configurations causing the problem.

If you encounterissues running the Command Prompt as an administrator on Windows 11, read our guide for quick fixes.

5. Uninstall and reinstall Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store

Reinstalling Windows Terminal will fix faulty app issues affecting the program and install a verified version to improve performance.

You can read abouthow to resolve Microsoft Store not workingin Windows 11.

6. Run System Restore

System Restore will return the system to an earlier point, removing recent files, apps, drivers, and updates which may cause the Windows Terminal issue. Read our article onfixing Restore Point if it’s not workingon your PC.

Alternatively, you can readhow to download and install HyperTerminal for Windows 11. Also, we have a detailed guide onwhat to do if Command Prompt keeps crashingon your PC.

If you have further questions or suggestions, kindly drop them in the comments section.

Windows Terminal Not Working: 6 Ways to Enable or Reset It#

Why is the Windows Terminal not working?#

What can I do if the Windows Terminal is not working?#

1. Ensure Windows Terminal is enabled#

2. Run an SFC scan#

3. Repair and reset Windows Terminal via the Settings app#

4. Reset Windows Terminal via Command Prompt#

5. Uninstall and reinstall Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store#

6. Run System Restore#