Windows 10 Calculator Not Working? 10 Fixes to Try

You’ll quickly be crunching numbers again

Most PC users take Windows 10’s native Calculator app for granted, and why not; it’s just a couple of clicks away and always tends to show up in a snap. But despite how reliable it may appear to be, the Windows Calculator isn’t immune from issues. On rare occasions, it can freeze, crash, or fail to open altogether.

Bugs, glitches, and corrupted system files are key reasons that prevent the Windows Calculator from working correctly.

If your Windows 10 Calculator app is not working, the troubleshooting tips and fixes below should help you get it functioning as usual.

1. Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

The Windows Calculator is a Microsoft Store app. So, you should begin by taking the built-in Windows Store Apps troubleshooter out for a spin. That will hopefully end up resolving any problems with the Calculator app quickly.

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. SelectUpdate & Security.

  3. Switch to theTroubleshoottab and selectAdditional troubleshooters.

  4. Scroll down to theFind and fix other problems sectionand selectWindows Store Apps. Then, selectRun the troubleshooter.

  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to fix any issues that the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter detects.

2. Update Calculator App

Microsoft releases periodic updates in the form of bug fixes and performance enhancements for the Windows Calculator. If you’ve disabled automatic updates in the Microsoft Store it could lead to the Windows 10 calculator not working. Check for a new Calculator update and install it manually.

  1. Open the Microsoft Store.

  2. Select the icon with 3-dots from the screen’s top-right and selectDownloads and updates.

  3. Select theUpdateicon next toWindows Calculatorto install any pending updates.

After the update, check if the Calculator app works without issues.

3. Restart Computer

Rebooting Windows 10 flushes out obsolete or redundant data and resolves system-related conflicts that stop apps from running normally. Do that before moving on with the rest of the fixes.

4. Reset Calculator

Windows 10 allows you to reset the Calculator by removing cached files and reverting the app to its defaults. In most cases, that should fix crashes, freezes, or other issues for good.

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. SelectApps.

  3. SelectWindows Calculator. Then, selectAdvanced Options.

  4. SelectTerminateto shut down all Calculator-related processes.

  5. SelectReset.

  6. SelectResetagain to confirm.

5. Re-register Calculator

Re-registering a problematic instance of the Windows Calculator can help make it work correctly. You can do that conveniently by using the Command Prompt console in Windows 10.

  1. PressWindows+Sto open Windows Search. Then, typecmdand selectOpen.

  2. Copy and paste the following command into the Command Prompt console:

PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command “& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage WindowsCalculator).InstallLocation + ‘\AppxManifest.xml’ ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}”

  1. PressEnterto re-register the Windows Calculator.

  2. Exit the Command Prompt console.

  3. Reboot your computer.

If that didn’t fix the Windows Calculator, try re-registering all Microsoft Store apps on your computer.

  1. Right-clickStartand selectWindows PowerShell.

  2. Copy and paste the following command into Windows PowerShell:

Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

  1. PressEnterto re-register all Microsoft Store apps.

Once Windows PowerShell finishes the procedure, exit it and restart Windows 10.

6. Reinstall Calculator

If you still keep running into issues with the Windows Calculator, it’s time to re-install the app manually.

  1. Right-click theStartbutton and selectApps & Features.

  2. SelectCalculator.

  3. SelectUninstallto remove the Windows Calculator.

  4. Open theMicrosoft Store.

  5. Search forWindowsCalculatorand chooseInstall.

7. Update Windows

Newer versions of Windows 10 typically offer native and third-party apps the most stable environment to run on. If you haven’t updated your computer in a while, try doing that now.

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. SelectUpdate & Security.

  3. SelectCheck for updatesand chooseDownload and installto apply any pending Windows 10 updates.

8. Run SFC Scan

If corrupted system files are the reason why the Windows Calculator fails to work on your computer, anSFC (System File Checker) scanshould help sort that out.

  1. PressWindows+Sto open Windows Search. Then, typecmdand selectRun as administrator.

  2. Typesfc /scannowinto the elevated Command Prompt console and pressEnter.

  3. Wait for the SFC scan to complete and try using the Calculator app after that.

9. Run DISM Scan

If running an SFC scan didn’t help, you should go the extra step and perform aDISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scaninstead. The procedure can take up to an hour to complete, so make sure to have enough time before going through the steps that follow.

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt console.

  2. Type the following command and pressEnter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

  1. Once DISM finishes scanning your computer, continue running the following commands:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

10. Reset Windows 10

Is the Windows 10 Calculator still not working on your computer? If so, consider resetting Windows 10 to factory settings. That should revert all system-related settings to their defaults and fix any underlying issues causing the Calculator app to malfunction.

A Windows 10 factory reset is an extreme measure, so you mustcreate a backup of your computerbefore proceeding. Once you’ve done that, go through the following steps to initiate the reset procedure.

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. SelectUpdate & Securityand switch to theRecoverytab.

  3. SelectGet started.

For a complete walkthrough, check this guide aboutresetting Windows 10 to factory settings.

You’ve Fixed the Calculator App

In many instances, resetting, re-registering, or re-installing the Windows Calculator is all it takes to make the app work correctly.

However, if none of the fixes above helped, consider using another calculator app, at least until Microsoft patches any issues with the Calculator app. You can find lots of third-party alternatives in the Microsoft Store alone.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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