How To Fix Cannot Open JPG File on Windows 11/10? Are you unable to open a JPG file on Windows? Have trouble viewing the JPEG file in the Windows Photos application? This is instead a typical problem that you may have after graduating with your smartphone. If you receive the “This app could not start” error notice when attempting to open a JPG file on Windows, the following are the most likely causes:
- Corrupt JPG file
- Outdated Windows Photos app
- Interference of a third-party app
- A flaw in the Windows update
- System malfunction
- Presence of virus or malware
We’ve included a few methods in this post to help you resolve the “cannot open JPG file” error on Windows devices. Here are 6 easy steps on how to fix cannot open JPG file on Windows 11/10 that you need to know:
How To Fix Cannot Open JPG File on Windows 11/10?

Rename the file
An erroneous file extension is one of the primary reasons you may not access the JPEG file on your device. You may be able to resolve the issue by renaming the JPG/JPEG file. What you need to do is as follows:
Select the JPG file that is not opening, right-click it, and tap the “Rename” option. Now, before you save the JPG file, rename it and precisely utilize the file extension.jpg.
After renaming the file, open it in the Windows Photos app to determine if you are still experiencing troubles.
Update Windows Photo App
The Windows Photo app is the device’s default photo viewer. If the program is out of current or corrupt, you may be unable to see any files and may also have various other issues. Updating the software to the newest version enables you to address issues, bugs, and technical glitches.
To update the Windows Photo Viewer application, you must first update the operating system, as it is one of the default applications included with the update.
Select settings by tapping on the Windows icon. Select the “Update and Security” category from the menu.
Click the “Check for Updates” button and wait a few seconds to see if your device has received any new updates.
If you answered yes, immediately update your gadget and install the most recent version of Windows on your computer.
Alternatively, you can update the Photos app from the Microsoft App Store.
Launch the App Store, press the three-dots icon in the upper-right corner, and select “Downloads and updates.”
Check the list of “Available Updates” to see if the Photos app is listed. If an update is available, update your device’s Windows Photos app.
Run the SFC Scan
SFC (System File Checker) is a built-in Windows troubleshooter that enables you to scan and repair faulty system files and registry entries. The SFC utility replaces corrupt files with a cached copy, allowing you to fix system inconsistencies quickly. You can use the SFC command to resolve the “Cannot open JPG file” error on Windows. Take the following quick steps:
Start the start menu search and type “Command Prompt”, then right-click on it and choose “Run as Administrator.”
Once the Command Prompt is opened in administrator mode, enter the following command.
Scanning may take a few minutes. Remain seated and relaxed while the SFC utility repairs corrupt system files and settings. Once the scanning procedure is complete, reboot your device and then attempt to open the troublesome JPG file again to determine if the issue persists.
Restore Default Photos App
The following workaround will be to make Windows Photos the default application for viewing digital photographs.
Navigate to Settings>Apps. From the left menu pane, navigate to the “Default apps” area.
Scroll to the bottom and click the “Reset” button.
Now, on your device, make “Windows Photos” the default photo app.
Use an Alternative App to Open the JPG File
If you cannot access the JPG file in one app, consider using another to load its data. To open the JPG file, right-click on it and select the “Open with” option. Select any other app such as Photoshop, Paint, or Inkscape.
Scan your Device for Virus or Malware
The last thing on how to fix cannot open the JPG file on Windows 11/10 is to scan your device for viruses or malware. Attempted the fixes above and are still having difficulty? To be sure, there is a slim chance that your Windows PC has remnants of dangerous flaws or defects. Download and install the Systweak Antivirus tool on your PC to ensure your device is entirely virus and malware-free. Conduct a quick scan of your Windows PC to identify any hidden virus or malware threats.
Here are a few possible solutions to the “Cannot open JPG file on Windows” problem. What do you think about how to fix cannot open the JPG file on Windows 11/10? JPG is one of the most extensively used picture formats across a variety of different platforms. You can use any of the techniques listed above if you run into trouble viewing a JPG file on Windows.