Like many applications, the Calculator app in Windows can suddenly stop working. In such cases, you should run several diagnostics to troubleshoot the issue, such as resetting and updating the app. Read on to learn all the ways to fix the Calculator app when it's not working on your Windows PC.
Most Common Calculator App Errors
- The application will not launch: Most often, the Calculator app appears completely unresponsive and shows no sign of trying to start the process.
- It closes immediately: Calculator app crashes on startup due to corrupted system files.
- The app is not working for a specific user: Sometimes the Calculator app works fine for all users except one. These issues can also be resolved using the methods below.
- Calculator crashes after startup: The Calculator app opens normally, then crashes unexpectedly in the middle of the process, forcing users to start over.
No matter what happens with your Calculator app, you can try one of the verified methods mentioned below to get it back within a few minutes.
1. Reset the Calculator app
Windows settings allow users to reset applications to their starting point, thus clearing any configurations that may have gone wrong.
- Click on Windows key + I To open Settings on your computer.
- Locate Applications On the left and open “Applications and Features”.
- Look for Calculator application In the menu, click on The three points To open Drop-down menu , and select "Advanced Options".
- Scroll to the Reset section and select "Reset".
- Wait for the process to finish.
- test Calculator application To see if the problems are gone.
Good to know: Don't like the native antivirus for Windows? Here's how. How to disable Windows Defender on your computer.
2. End the task for the Runtimebroker.exe process.
Runtime Broker is an executable file whose main task is to ensure that applications running on your computer have the required permissions to run on the system.
In some cases, certain background processes like these can cause crashes and errors in various applications, such as the Calculator app. To fix this:
- Right click on start menu and select "Task Manager".
- Click "more details" On the next page to expand the window.
- Go to the tab Operations Scroll down to find Runtime Broker (Sometimes there is more than one broker), then right-click on it and choose "Complete the mission."
3. Update the app
Keeping all your software up to date is crucial to avoid erroneous operations and app crashes. The Calculator app is part of the Library app suite. Follow the steps below to check if any updates are available.
- Click start menu , And type "Microsoft Store" , then press Enter.
- Click "library" On the next page.
- Locate “Get updates.”
4. Reinstall the Calculator app.
Some complex issues only resolve when you uninstall and reinstall the app to restore it to its original state. Follow the instructions below to do so.
- Open Settings on your computer.
- tap on “Apps -> Apps & features.”
- Look for Calculator application In the menu, click on The three points To open the drop-down menu, select “Uninstall”.
- use Microsoft Store To reinstall the application.
- Type Windows Calculator In the search bar at the top.
- Once you are on the calculator page, click the button "Get".
- Locate "Installations" Wait for the app to download and install.
- Alternatively, you can use Windows Terminal to uninstall and reinstall the Calculator app. Right-click on start menu and select “Windows Terminal (Admin).”
- Enter the following command in Power shell And press Enter To uninstall this app.
Get-AppxPackage * windowscalculator * | Remove-AppxPackage
- Enter Next command And press Enter To reinstall Windows Calculator.
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *windowscalculator* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
5. Re-register all Microsoft applications
Since the Calculator app is a default app in Windows, you can use Windows Terminal to fix it by re-registering all system apps.
- Right click on start menu and select “Windows Terminal (Admin).”
- Enter the following command in Power shell And press Enter.
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$ ($ _. InstallLocation) AppXManifest.xml”}
- Wait for the process to complete, then try using the Calculator app again.
6. Run the Store Apps Troubleshooter
The Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter is a built-in tool that helps you fix common problems with apps on your computer or tablet.
- Go to Settings on your computer.
- Click “System -> Troubleshooting.”
- Locate Other troubleshooters On the next page.
- Scroll down to the section Windows Store Apps and click "employment".
- Finish the process, then check if the Calculator app is working as intended.
Tip: When your computer feels sluggish, try Clean Windows Registry. Might help!
7. Edit registry keys
The Windows registry is a database that stores configuration settings and other information about applications, user preferences, and system settings. Removing specific registry keys can fix a broken calculator.
- Click on Windows + R keys To open Run on your computer.
- Type regedit and click "OK".
- Paste the following line into the search bar of the Registry Editor window:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\StateChange\PackageList
- Select all registry entries within PackageList folder , right click on selection , and select "delete".
- Restart your computer after the process and check if the calculator has resumed its normal function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is there no calculator app on my computer?
answer. The Windows Calculator app can sometimes disappear from your computer due to various issues. Fortunately, you can fix/reinstall it using the Microsoft Store or try all of the methods above. If Your Microsoft Store is up and running. So, try these methods to get it working again.
Q2. I don't like the default Windows Calculator app. What are some worthwhile alternatives?
answer. If you don't like the Windows Calculator app or need a program with more advanced options, there are several alternatives you can install on your computer, including:
Q3. How do you change the mode on a calculator?
answer. The Calculator app in Windows offers different modes. You can switch to a new mode by clicking the three horizontal lines in the top left and selecting the desired option. There's an option to switch to a scientific calculator or a programmable calculator. You can use the Windows Calculator to perform currency, volume, and length conversions.
