If you’ve encountered the frustrating problem where Windows 11 cannot open PNG files, you’re not alone. Many users find themselves unable to access PNG images, either because the default photo viewer isn’t working, files are corrupted, or system glitches prevent proper display. This article explores 10 reliable solutions to resolve the issue and ensure your PNG files open seamlessly.
When I try to open or delete certain PNG photos, I get this message: Sorry, photos can't open this file because the format is currently unsupported, or the file is corrupted. It shows as a gray photo square. It also does not show in the one drive app on my phone or in one drive. Only in photos legacy. I am running windows 11.
- Question from Sneha
If you’re using Windows 11 and encounter an error when trying to open PNG files such as "cannot open file" or "unsupported format", it can be frustrating and disruptive. This issue prevents you from viewing or editing your images, which can lead to workflow interruptions, affect design projects, or even risk accidental data loss if files remain inaccessible.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 working solutions to fix Windows 11 cannot open PNG files, covering everything from checking file associations to repairing corrupted PNG files. By following these steps, you can quickly restore access to your images and ensure smooth file handling in Windows 11.
There are several common reasons why Windows 11 can't open PNG files:
🛠️ Corrupted PNG files: If a file is partially damaged or was not saved correctly, Windows may be unable to render it in the Photos app.
📌 Incorrect file associations: Sometimes, PNG files are not linked to a compatible image viewer, causing the system to reject opening them.
🔎 Outdated or malfunctioning apps: The default Windows Photos app or third-party viewers may have bugs or compatibility issues preventing PNGs from opening.
✂️ System glitches or updates: Recent Windows updates, system conflicts, or cache issues can occasionally interfere with image rendering.
📤 Storage or OneDrive sync issues: If the PNG is stored in a cloud location like OneDrive and hasn’t fully synced, it may appear inaccessible on Windows 11.
After understanding why PNG files may not open on Windows 11, it’s time to apply practical solutions. The methods below are arranged from the simplest checks to more advanced fixes, helping you progressively troubleshoot and restore access to your images. Let's explore them one by one.
Sometimes Windows 11 fails to open PNG files because the file association between PNG files and the system Photos Viewer is lost or hijacked by other programs. Changing the default image viewer ensures PNG files are opened by a compatible program like Paint.
Step 1. Right-click the problematic PNG file and select "Open with" > "Choose another app".
Step 2. Select Photos or another trusted image viewer and check "Always use this app to open .png files".
Step 3. Click "OK" to save changes and test opening the PNG file again.
The built-in Windows Photos app may malfunction due to failed updates, cache errors, and other issues, making it unable to properly parse image formats. Resetting or repairing it restores default settings without affecting other files.
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "App" > "App & features" > "Photos" > "Advanced options".
Step 2. Click "Repair" to fix the PNG files not opening issue.
Step 3. If the issue persists, select "Reset" and confirm the action.
Updates often fix bugs or compatibility issues that prevent PNG files from opening. Ensuring both Windows 11 and the Photos app are up to date can resolve underlying problems. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Windows Update" > "Check for updates".
Step 2. Open "Microsoft Store" > "Library".
Step 3. Locate the Photos app and click "Update" if any update is available.
If a PNG file is still not opening due to partially corrupted, converting it to another format like JPG allows you to recover or access its content without relying on Windows Photos. You can try to convert PNG to JPG using Paint. Before that, you’d better create a backup of the PNG file using Windows built-in backup tool File History or Backup and Restore (Windows 7) and save it to a safe location.
Step 1. Right-click the PNG file and select "Open with" > "Paint".
Step 2. In Paint, click "File" > "Save as", choose another file extension like "JPEG picture".
Step 3. Save it to a safe location. Then, you can try to open the new JPG file to confirm it works correctly in Photos.
Windows system files may be damaged, causing image-related functions to fail. The System File Checker (SFC) scans and repairs corrupted system components which cause the PNG files cannot open in Photos. Here's how to do:
Step 1. Type "Command Prompt" in the Start menu and right click on it, then choose "Run as administrator".
Step 2. Enter the following command "sfc /scannow" and press "Enter".
Step 3. Wait for the scan to complete and restart your PC to check if the issue is still here.
Problems with Microsoft Store apps like Photos can prevent PNG files from opening. The built-in Windows Store apps troubleshooter can detect and fix these app issues automatically. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Open "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Troubleshoot" > "Additional Troubleshooters".
Step 2. Find "Windows Store Apps" and click "Run the troubleshooter".
Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions and test the Photos app afterward.
Some antivirus software may block PNG files from opening due to false positives or security restrictions. Temporarily disabling them can determine if they are causing the issue. Don’t forget to open the Antivirus programs again after the Photos app works normally. Here we take Windows Defender as an example:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Windows Security" > "Virus & threat protection".
Step 2. Click "Manage settings" under "Virus & threat protection settings".
Step 3. Temporarily turn off real-time protection.
Step 4. Attempt to open the PNG file again and re-enable antivirus protection afterward.
If the PNG file itself is corrupted or damaged, you won’t be able to view its contents either. The specialized repair tools like Compress or Die PNG repair can recover its contents without relying on Windows. You can repair or modify PNG data on your local device without uploading to a server.
Step 1. Download or access a reliable PNG repair tool on a browser.
Step 2. Open the program and select the corrupted PNG file.
Step 3. Click "Repair" and save the recovered image to a new location.
PNG files encrypted with Windows security features may fail to open if permissions are misconfigured. Disabling encryption restores access. Here's how:
Step 1. Right-click the PNG file and select "Properties".
Step 2. Under the "General" tab, click "Advanced".
Step 3. Uncheck "Encrypt contents to secure data" and click "OK".
Step 4. Apply changes to the file and try opening it again.
If resetting doesn’t work, reinstalling ensures a clean installation of the Photos app, eliminating corruption or misconfiguration. This may fix cannot open PNG files issue on Windows 11.
Step 1. Open "Settings" > "Apps" > "App & features" and locate Microsoft Photos, then click "Uninstall".
Step 2. Open Microsoft Store, search for Microsoft Photos, and click "Install" to re-download it.
Step 3. Test opening your PNG files after installation.
Try the above methods one by one, and the issue of PNG files not opening on Windows 11 should be resolved. If any photos are lost or deleted due to accidental deletion, formatting, or severe corruption, recovering the lost image files becomes the priority to prevent permanent data loss and resume your work smoothly. This is where MyRecover comes in.
As a professional data recovery tool for Windows, it can scan your drives thoroughly to locate deleted or lost PNG files, preview them before recovery, and restore them safely without altering existing data. This is particularly useful for designers, photographers, or anyone relying on critical image assets, ensuring that valuable files are always safe.
Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer from Microsoft Store or its official website.
Step 2. Run the program and select the drive where your PNG files were stored. Then, click "Scan" to search for recoverable files.
Step 3. After the process is completed, browse the results and locate the files you want to recover using the "Filter" function. Preview the file content and select the target files, click "Recover".
Step 4. Choose a safe location (different from the original one) to save the recovered files.
When the recovery is done, you'll get a message saying "Files have been recovered successfully". Then, you can access and check the recovered files by clicking on the destination folder path or the "Browse" button.
The "cannot open PNG files" error in Windows 11 can disrupt your workflow and cause unnecessary frustration, whether you’re working on design projects, managing personal photos, or handling important files. By following the solutions outlined in this guide, you can systematically troubleshoot and restore access to your images. For cases where PNG files are deleted or lost, using a professional recovery tool like MyRecover provides an additional layer of protection, allowing you to recover your files safely and efficiently.
Q1: How to open PNG files on computer?
To open PNG files, double-click the file and use the default Photos app or another installed image viewer. If it doesn’t open, right-click the file, choose "Open with", and select a compatible program such as Paint, Photos, or any third-party image viewer.
Q2: Can I convert a PNG to a JPEG?
Yes, PNG files can be converted to JPEG. This is useful if a PNG won’t open properly or you need a smaller file size. Conversion can be done using image editors like Paint, Photoshop, or online tools.
Q3: How do I convert a PNG to a JPEG?
Open the PNG file in Paint or another image editor, then click "File" > "Save as" > "JPEG". Choose a save location, enter a file name, and click "Save". The PNG will now be converted to a JPEG format.
Q4: How to set default program to open PNG?
Right-click any PNG file, select "Open with" > "Choose another app", choose your preferred program, check "Always use this app to open .png files", and click "OK". This sets the program as the default for PNG files.
Q5: How to always open PNG with photos?
Right-click a PNG file, select "Open with" > "Choose another app", select "Photos", check "Always use this app to open .png files", and click "OK". From now on, PNG files will open with Photos by default.
Q6: How to change default image opening program?
Go to "Settings" > "Apps" > "Default apps", scroll to "Choose default apps by file type", find ".png", click the current default, and select a new program. This changes the default app for all PNG files.