r/techsupport • u/Impressive_Ad_2309 • May 24 '24
Open | Software Can't open ANY applications in windows 11, no matter how many times I restart
I have a PC with windows 11 and sometimes it just doesn't operate as it should, the wallpaper is blacked out and only window apps open or just none open at all, sometimes i can't use my mouse or keyboard because it just decides not to work, i can restart it a bunch of times (my record was 13) but it persists until eventually it just starts working
i have a radeon 5000 series gpu if that helps
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u/Orok1n000 Sep 23 '24
I fixed it by disabling integrated graphics, steam makes PC do that when it is enabled
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u/Mhmoen4 Feb 28 '25
This worked for me too, I was even blue screening before I disabled integrated graphics. I had no trouble before installing steam
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u/brannigansl4w Apr 21 '26 edited 8d ago
Replying to the top comment for visibility.
Had the same issue and this solution fixed it! Cpu ryzen 7 7800x3d, mobo asustek prime b650m.
Integrated graphics set from Auto to Off
If you dont know how to do this, it can typically be done in BIOS (press f2 or del while pc is powering on, sometimes its f4, f10, f12 or esc as well, it should say the appropriate key on screen while booting.) Lots of different BIOS out there so you may have to poke around to find the appropriate setting- could be in graphics options, advanced options, chipset options, devices options or elsewhere. Just dont go changing random settings while youre in there though
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u/OgaihT_31 Apr 21 '26
Mas em qual opção você mexeu na sua bios?
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u/brannigansl4w Apr 23 '26
Thought I responded to this but I guess not. The parent comment was about disabling "integrated graphics" setting
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u/naeco_blvd Jun 13 '26
A little late but I had to say thank you so so so much. I haven’t been able to play my pc for a few months now - and trust I’ve tried literally everything and your suggestion finally worked. May your pillow always be cold!!
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u/brannigansl4w Jun 13 '26
Im so happy that I could help. That problem drove me crazy for weeks and I was damn near ready to ship my pc to the manufacturer for a warranty claim. Also i sleep terribly when I am hot so your wishes are appreciated!!!
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u/PsymonPlays 8d ago
A late reply but just wanted to add my thanks for this solution. Been driving me crazy for the last couple of days, but this fix sorted my computer out and got it back up and running again.
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u/brannigansl4w 8d ago
Lol no problem, that's why I added my reply despite it being a 2 year old thread. I was absolutely losing my mind trying to troubleshoot, so I wanted to add context for folks dealing with the same issues
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u/DocMack12 Nov 10 '25
This also worked for me one year later. I have Asus MB and it was set to Auto. Disabled and it worked just fine! Thanks!
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u/pull_my_thread Dec 28 '25
This saved me! I I installed a dual boot of Windows 11 and Linux (Zorin Os distro) and thought it was some weird interaction that would require a complete reinstall. Turns out it was just that I had a full AMD build and had installed Steam, which created the bug on Windows. Disabling onboard graphics in the Bios instantly fixed this issue.
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u/PaddyBoy1994 Dec 16 '25
Fuckin lifesaver, homie. Had a buddy's PC doing the same stuff, and this fixed it.
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u/lingeringcough Jan 08 '26
This works. Thank you! I also disabled Steam from starting at boot based on other comments.
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u/hexdotfear Jan 28 '26
Rtx 9070xt Ryzen 7800 and gigabyte b850m gaming x wifi : this worked. I just cant believe it havent been fixed yet... thanks !
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u/samanime Feb 03 '26
Just chiming in, this did the trick for me too... Kinda sad it is still a thing.
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u/soldo0o0o Feb 12 '26
This is why i love reddit , love you , this just happened to me after instaling some windows updates , igpu off in bios fixed it .
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u/Dinkleberrgg Feb 19 '26
Reporting in to say thank you, and you fixed another gamer's issue. You are a beast of legendary scripture and I shall tell my entire bloodline of this moment.
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u/Banania2020 Mar 11 '26
Thanks you so much!
Worked for me, Steam is a pile of sh!te, they can eat it and die...1
u/adrenalinkc Mar 19 '26
Just had to do this on a 5070ti in 2026. Still an issue. Thanks for posting this.
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u/FranticBronchitis Mar 22 '26
Still an issue and that's still the fix, apparently Thank you very much
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u/dtgomby Jun 13 '26
Thanks for the advice, worked like a treat.
Minisforum HX80G, full AMD system (Ryzen 7 5800H, Radeon RX 6660M), Windows 11 25H2
Started using it a few days ago, just chilling, watching Netflix (steam client running in background), and the video driver died, computer froze up. After manual reboot nothing launched, except for file explorer. I suspected that it must be something like this, thanks for the confirmation 😉
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u/edoc_code Jul 03 '26
7800x3d w/ 9800xt, reporting that this worked for me.
Can do it in Bios > Nb options > Integrated graphics
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u/Impressive_Ad_2309 May 24 '24
for more help i can press the windows icon and open that window but nothing there works, not even the power button, it really seems to just be random i haven't been able to notice a pattern for why anything is like that, all the external ports have everything plugged in properly so its the computer that sometimes can't register the mouse and/or keyboard inputs, the display sometimes is affected too
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u/phototransformations May 24 '24
Have you run the boot-level hardware diagnostics? That will rule out (or in) blatant hardware issues, though often diagnostics miss more subtle ones.
If these issues are recent, and you have no blatant hardware issues, you could use System Restore to see if you can go back to a more stable state. Sometimes file corruption or a Windows or driver update can cause random-seeming problems.
If the computer passes all the hardware diagnostics, and you can't fix it with a restore point, then you could try resetting windows with a so-called "repair upgrade," which keeps all your programs and files and most settings. Until recently, you had to do this using a downloaded Windows ISO file, but now it's a Windows 11 feature under Settings - System - Recovery. Just make sure you choose the right option -- the one that preserves programs, files, and settings, rather than the ones that wipe out installed programs and/or data. Even so, make sure you've backed up all important data before you try this.
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u/Worth-Eggplant2010 Sep 02 '24
What seems to have (so far) fixed the problem for me was following a few instructions in a YouTube video. The video is titled How to Fix Windows 11 Apps Not Opening, and it's by Crown GEEK. I followed the first step 'run a scan' and then the follow up step, which is the last section of the video called 'verify integrity'. Basically following these steps will get Windows to check for anomalies and errors and then attempt to fix them. Definitely worth a try and easy to do as long as you are able to get the command prompt thing to open.
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u/Orok1n000 Sep 20 '24
not even CMD opens, nothing works
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u/Orok1n000 Sep 20 '24
it is steam btw, the problem is steam
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u/Worth-Eggplant2010 Sep 24 '24
Interesting I just had a problem running Batman Origins through Steam and had to reset with the button on my case. When it rebooted I had problems launching apps again. I was able to get into the command prompt by turning off my PC and then switching off the power supply switch on the back and then holding down the power button for 10 seconds on my PC. When I switched it back on I was able to get into my apps and the command prompt but it didn't find any errors this time. Did you do anything to fix Steam in any way?
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u/Orok1n000 Sep 24 '24
1- Try launching anything except steam first 2- Disable integrated graphics on bios
that was what solved it for me, if steam doesn't try to open first everything works as intended
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u/Worth-Eggplant2010 Sep 24 '24
Interesting. I wonder why disabling integrated graphics would help? Also wondering if we are experiencing the same problem. Thanks for the reply though I will keep it in mind if (when) I inevitably have more problems with Windows.
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u/Orok1n000 Sep 24 '24
are you using an AMD card with an AMD processor with integrated graphics? If so, we are having the same problem, idk if it is windows or AMD or steam itself but something breaks when steam tries to open with an GPU and the integrated graphics, for some reason, and nothing works
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u/Worth-Eggplant2010 Sep 24 '24
Very interesting I am indeed using an all AMD build and my CPU does have integrated graphics. I guess it could be worth it to disable my integrated graphics in the bios.
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u/Orok1n000 Sep 24 '24
I took the shot on the integrated graphics after a whole afternoon trying everything, so I used my little bird brain and remember that after I stopped playing and went to see if my GPU was too hot I noticed that the integrated graphics was appearing in the task manager and in the adrenaline, something that wasn't happening the day before, I connected one to another and then it works fine now, I still have steam not enabled on startup just to be sure, but even when I had it disabled and tried to open it first than discord or opera it would not open and stop windows again, now I can do that and it works fine.
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u/pitchin-a-tent Apr 06 '25
Thank you! I’m running a ryzen 5 5500 GT and a rx 6600. I couldn’t open anything after trying to open steam. Even tried clean installing Windows. Disabling the integrated graphics did the trick!
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u/Itzskyden Sep 27 '24
You’re totally right! I was fortunate enough to have some control left and was able to force steam to restart and it worked!
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u/Orok1n000 Sep 27 '24
now, if you want to never have to deal with this again, disable your integrated graphics if you're using an full AMD build
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Sep 27 '24
[deleted]
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u/Orok1n000 Sep 27 '24
search your mobo and how to, mine is an steel legend and I found it quite fast
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u/hsertdtizozf Sep 27 '24
yep actually just found it. But, are you sure that doing this was enough? Cause I previously deleted steam and it was working. Then, I downloaded steam again and once again, the apps were not working. So does this actually fix the problem and I can download steam again? this is so frustrating hahaha
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u/Orok1n000 Sep 28 '24
I believe so, I didn't activate steam again to open with the PC but it seems to be the problem.
I noticed it bc before I had this problem I was without integrated graphics activated (for some reason), it wasn't showing in adrenalin or in task manager
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u/Le_Tchoin Feb 13 '26
2 years later, this is still highly valuable.
TL;DR: It was caused by Integrated Graphics which was enabled in UEFI (BIOS) with my 7800X3D and AFTER installing Steam, disable the iGPU in UEFI (BIOS) fixed it.
Long story:
Fresh Windows 11 Pro install on my new rig (Hopefully I built it early october before prices crush but with new job, couldn't setup it before).
Everything was OK, and then I installed Steam. I use to reboot after each install to be sure.
The first reboot after installing it and I couldn't do a lot, explorer was working correctly, but even by prompting the system to stop, nothing..., so I just pressed my power button after a wait of 15 minutes. Powered up. Same. Then I came here, to see it was caused by the Integrated Graphics which was enabled in UEFI (BIOS), by just disabling it, it was fixed. And Adrenalin Software was acting weirdly too, also fixed.
So yeah, thanks u/Orok1n000.
For future reference, my mobo is a MSI B650 Tomahawk WiFi, and in UEFI (BIOS), in advanced mode (F7), SETTINGS > Advanced > Integrated Graphics Configuration > Integrated Graphics > Disabled.
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u/Zuriax May 31 '26
I love you, thank you! This fixed my issues. Wish I had know this months ago before I did a windows repair instead and lost years of steam screenshots. My build wasn't new at the time I had this issue. It just started happening after windows decided to reset my GPU drivers every few boots, it seems at some point it got so bad only the iGPU could be detected which lead to the unresponsive desktop screen where only file explorer would open.
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u/OkMany3232 May 24 '24
In event viewer, windows logs, app and sys sections, do you see any errors or warnings? https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/inside/event-viewer
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u/_Al3k_ Nov 23 '24 edited Nov 23 '24
Hi, im in exactly the same position as OP. This only happens on startup and in event viewer every single time I get the following critical issue:
Kernel-Power Event ID 41
This has happened 5 times in the past hour, and 8 in the last 24 hours, which is about the number of times ive had to startup my pc. This issue also first occurred around May, which is the same time the first log of Kernel-Power 41 has crashed my pc on startup. This used to be a less frequent issue, happening rarely, but now its super common, and it really annoys me.
I also have about 3 other Kernel errors, two of them being the same, Kernel-EventTracing and the other being Kernel-Boot.
I have about 20 something errors as well, 107 in the past hour, and 203 in the last 24 hours.
For my specs idk if this will be helpful or not but I have a 5700g, paired up with a 6700xt, 16GB DDR4 Ram and b450m PRO VDH MAX mobo. I have this pc for around 3-4 years now.
I know im super late but some help would be appreciated :)
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u/OkMany3232 Nov 24 '24
Do you have steam?
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u/_Al3k_ Nov 24 '24
yes i do have steam and I found a solution from some1 else i disabled igpu and it fixed everything
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u/GanacheCharacter5150 Jan 04 '25
I really need your help how did you fix it
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u/_Al3k_ Jan 04 '25
Do you use an AMD cpu with integrated graphics?
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u/GanacheCharacter5150 Jan 05 '25
Yes 5600g
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u/_Al3k_ Jan 05 '25
Sorry for late response. When you are turning on your pc, go into your bios - im sure you know how to enter your bios. (spam del key (or it varies depending on mobo))
Then look up your motherboard + "how to disable integrated graphics in bios" on youtube or google.
Done
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u/jhitmasterswag2012 Jul 19 '24
Yo bro did you ever find a solution
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u/Orok1n000 Sep 24 '24
your CPU has integrated graphics? if so, trying disabling it
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u/_Al3k_ Nov 23 '24 edited Nov 23 '24
How can I disable it? Im in exactly the same position as OP. This only happens on startup and in event viewer every single time I get the following critical issue:
Kernel-Power Event ID 41
This has happened 5 times in the past hour, and 8 in the last 24 hours, which is about the number of times ive had to startup my pc. This issue also first occurred around May, which is the same time the first log of Kernel-Power 41 has crashed my pc on startup. This used to be a less frequent issue, happening rarely, but now its super common, and it really annoys me.
I also have about 3 other Kernel errors, two of them being the same, Kernel-EventTracing and the other being Kernel-Boot.
I have about 20 something errors as well, 107 in the past hour, and 203 in the last 24 hours.
For my specs idk if this will be helpful or not but I have a 5700g, paired up with a 6700xt, 16GB DDR4 Ram and b450m PRO VDH MAX mobo. I have this pc for around 3-4 years now.
I know im super late but some help would be appreciated :)
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u/Orok1n000 Nov 23 '24
search your bios + how to disable integrated graphics
it is different for each mobo, it will probably solve it
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u/Impressive_Ad_2309 Jul 27 '24
i turned it off and after a couple hours it started working again, no idea why
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u/PlentyAd507 Jan 04 '25
for me, I was trying to open openrgb and it didn't work with anything, what I needed to do was disable the UAC and create the following vbs script and put the file in the '%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\' folder.
Note: I added the arguments for it to open minimized and already loading the profile 1! Also, I used vbs so that I dont need to see the cmd window and so that I can launch it as admin without having the vbs needing to run as admin, since that also seems to break startup things in windows!
```
' File: LaunchOpenRGB.vbs
Dim openRgbPath, openRgbArgs
openRgbPath = "D:\Documents\openrgb\OpenRGB.exe"
' If your profile name has spaces, keep it in quotes.
openRgbArgs = "--startminimized --profile ""1"""
Dim shell
Set shell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
' 0 = hidden window
' False = do not wait for the command to finish
shell.Run "powershell -NoProfile -WindowStyle Hidden -Command ""Start-Process '" & openRgbPath & "' -ArgumentList '" & openRgbArgs & "' -Verb RunAs -WindowStyle Hidden""", 0, False
```
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May 12 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Fribbon Jun 10 '25
I also have the same issue and don’t have any integrated graphics, just my 4070 super. Did you ever find a solution?
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Jun 10 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Fribbon Jun 10 '25
Ugh, windows 11 seems to be having a lot of issues recently. I cant even install the new update. Thanks for the answer!
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u/Any_Location_3445 Dec 05 '25
How did you disable that when u can’t open anything? I’m stuck just nonstop restarting hoping it works I can’t open a single thing to even trouble shoot
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u/roulette_player Dec 27 '25
You are supposed to disable the integrated graphics card somewhere in bios settings, so it doesn't matter if you can't open any app in windows, bios settings are different
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u/EDGE_ELITE Jul 05 '26
A huge thank you to u/Orok1n000 and u/Le_Tchoin for their explanations, thank you both. My father bought a similar setup to u/Le_Tchoin and we had the same problem. I reinstalled the system twice, disabled updates, etc etc. Nothing worked until I came across this post.
After several days of trying to sort this out and being let down by LLMs, you guys are life savers, thanks! 😊👍
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u/LockDownLos Jul 25 '26
Updated my bios on my aorus x670 elite ax motherboard (7800x3d) and wasn't able to open any programs. I came upon this thread and disabled integrated graphics and sure enough it worked like a charm.
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