How to Fix Windows 11 App Crashes

Windows 11 is a much better operating system than it was when it launched, but these frequent updates have not been without problems.

Several updates have contained unexpected bugs affecting core functionality of Windows 11, and as of this writing, this has happened again. As reported by Windows Latest, the January 2023 optional update KB5022360 was causing application crashes on devices with Intel processors, especially those with older graphics drivers.

This is an optional update, so it will not automatically download in the background. Your best bet is to skip it altogether, but what if you’ve already installed it and are having problems?

The good news is that there are six possible solutions. All of these are worth a try, whether the app crashes are related to an update or caused by something else.

Reboot your device

This is the most recommended fix for many problems, but also one of the most effective. A simple restart can get everything working properly again within a few seconds, so it’s definitely worth a try.

There are many ways to restart your computer, but the easiest is to open the Start menu, click the Power icon in the lower right corner, and select Restart.

Check for Windows 11 updates

If the bug in Windows 11 becomes widespread, Microsoft will work on a fix as quickly as possible. By the time you are reading this, the patch may already be out. Just make sure you don’t download the KB5022360 version by mistake.

Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for Updates. After a few seconds, all available ones will be displayed. Even if they look out of place, click “Download Now” or “Download and Install” and then reboot your device to complete.

Eniron Copeman / Foundry

It’s also worth checking for additional updates. In Settings > Windows Update, select Advanced Options, then Optional Updates. Again download and install whatever is available, then reboot your device.

Eniron Copeman / Foundry

Check for relevant app updates

If only certain third-party apps are crashing, then the problem is with them, not Windows 11. Check for updates in the app itself or online – official Twitter accounts are usually a good source of information.

I can’t figure out if you have the latest version? Simply uninstall it via Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and then reinstall it the same way you did it originally, whether through the Microsoft Store or online.

Eniron Copeman / Foundry

Uninstall the latest Windows 11 updates

However, if you are sure that this particular update is causing the application to crash, then you can uninstall it.

Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History. Scroll down to the Related settings section and select Uninstall updates.

Eniron Copeman / Foundry

Next to anything you think might be causing problems, click “Remove”, then “Remove” again to confirm. Follow the instructions and then restart to download the previous version.

Eniron Copeman / Foundry

Check and fix corrupted files

Corrupted system files can often cause applications to crash. To check and then replace any working duplicate, you need to use the SFC scan feature.

In the search bar next to the Start menu, type “command”. With Command Prompt highlighted, click “Run as administrator” and then “Yes” to confirm.

Eniron Copeman / Foundry

In the window that appears, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. This will take several minutes.

If corrupted files are found, they will be deleted automatically. But if you see a message that “Windows Resource Protection found no integrity violations”, no problems were found.

Eniron Copeman / Foundry

Temporarily disable antivirus

Effective antivirus software is critical in Windows 11, but it can interfere with some applications. To find out if this is causing the app to crash, it’s worth looking at what happens when you disable it temporarily.

If you’re using the pre-installed Microsoft Defender, open the Windows Security app and select Virus & Threat Protection in the left pane. Click the Real-time Protection switch to turn it off.

Eniron Copeman / Foundry

Try running a few apps that have recently crashed to see if the issues persist. This will automatically turn on after a “short time” but you can use the steps above to make sure.

Of course, the method will look different if you are using a third party application. But if disabling real-time protection seems to solve the problem, it’s worth switching to a different antivirus software – at least for the time being.

Related Articles