Windows Notepad has undergone multiple facelifts in Windows 11 including tabs support and dark mode. But many user share that Notepad keep closing automatically on their PC. In some cases, it happens instantly after launch or while using it. The reasons for this error include glitched services, a corrupt or outdated Notepad version, and a recent Windows update. We will discuss eleven methods to fix this issue with the Notepad app.
Table of Contents
1. Perform a Complete System Shutdown
Windows 11 uses Fast Startup which hibernates kernel-level processes to ensure a swift boot up. But when these processes glitch, you will face issues with apps and hardware devices on your PC. So, you must perform a complete system shutdown. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys together.
2. The User Account Control window will launch. Click on the Yes button.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:
shutdown /s /f /t 0
4. Power on your PC and launch the Notepad app to check if you face the same issue.
2. Run Notepad With Admin Rights
Oftentimes, apps need administrative privileges to function properly. Since Notepad is a trustworthy app created by Microsoft, you can grant administrative privileges without any issues. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press the Windows key, type Notepad, and click on the Run as administrator option.
2. The User Account Control window will open. Click on the Yes button.
Use the app for a while to check if it closes automatically.
3. Resize Notepad Window
Some users share that they face issues while viewing a large file in Notepad. It happens after they reach line 27 and many were able to evade the issue by resizing the Notepad window. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open a file in the Notepad window.
2. Hover your mouse to the left or right side of the Notepad window to force the resize icon to appear. Drag the resizer to increase the width of the Notepad window.
Check if the issue occurs again.
4. Update Notepad
If you are using a very old version of Notepad which contains bugs, you must update the app. There is no in-app option to update Notepad, so you can use Microsoft Store to check and install the latest update. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press the Windows key, type Microsoft Store, and press Enter.
2. Go to the bottom left section and click on the Library icon.
3. Click on the Update all button. It will download and install updates for all installed apps on your PC.
4. Close the Microsoft Store.
5. Use Notepad in Clean Boot Mode
If a third-party program or service is conflicting with Notepad, you can use Clean Boot to identify it. After that, you can either disable the service or uninstall the program completely. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key, type msconfig, and press Enter to open System Configuration.
2. Switch to the Services tab. Click on the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox. Then, click on the Disable all button.
3. Now, click on the Apply button. Click on the OK button.
4. Restart your PC.
After your PC boots to the desktop, run Notepad and check if it crashes or closes automatically. Re-enable some third-party services and check if the issue occurs again. You have to keep doing this until you identify the troublesome program and then disable or remove it permanently.
6. Repair or Reset Notepad
Notepad is a system app that supports both repair and reset via the advanced settings page. Follow the below-mentioned steps:
1. Press the Windows key, type Notepad, and click on the App settings option.
2. Scroll down and click on the Repair button. Wait for the repair to complete.
3. If the repair doesn’t have any effect, click on the Reset button. It will wipe all your settings and app data of Notepad.
7. Re-Register Windows Apps
When Notepad or other system apps do not work properly, you can re-register them using PowerShell. It saves time because you can tackle all the system apps with one command. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys simultaneously.
2. The User Account Control window will launch. Click on the Yes button.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers |Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "SystemApps"} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
4. It will take a while to re-register all system apps. Close the PowerShell window afterward.
Your Notepad should stop closing automatically now. If not, keep reading.
8. Reinstall Notepad From Microsoft Store
If repair and reset don’t have any effect on the Notepad problem, you must reinstall the app. It will replace a buggy or corrupt installation of the app with an updated version. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key, type Notepad, and click on the App settings option.
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click on the Uninstall button.
3. Reconfirm your decision and click on Uninstall.
4. Close the Settings app.
5. Open Microsoft Store and search for Notepad. Download and install the app and check if it crashes abruptly or not.
9. Run an SFC and DISM Scan
You can use SFC and DISM to fix issues with your Windows PC if reinstalling the app doesn’t have any effect on the Notepad app. Run a DISM scan followed by an SFC scan on your PC. Here’s how:
1. Open Command Prompt with administrator privileges on your PC.
2. Firstly, run the DISM scan by typing the following command and pressing Enter:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth3. After that, run the SFC scan using the following command:
sfc /scannow4. Close the Command Prompt window after these scans are complete.
10. Remove a Recent Windows Update
Windows Updates can also result in unexplained errors on your PC. If you face troubles with Notepad after a recent update installation, remove it from your PC. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press the Windows key, type Uninstall updates, and press Enter.
2. Now, find the most recent update from the list and click on the Uninstall button.
3. Reconfirm your decision and click on the Uninstall button.
4. Restart your PC.
11. Use Another Text Editor
If you still face the Notepad issue frequently and lose a massive amount of work and productivity, consider using another text editor app. We have compiled a list of the best text editor apps for Windows which you can check out to pick an app of your liking.
Fix Notepad Keeps Closing Automatically
These were the eleven methods to fix the Notepad automatically closing issue on Windows 11. Completely shut down your PC and run Notepad with admin rights. After that resize the open window, use the clean boot to find conflicting apps, and use advanced settings to repair, reset, or reinstall the app.
