10 Effective Solutions to Fix the “App Didn’t Start in the Required Time” Error on Windows

Microsoft has set a retirement date for Windows 10 in 2025, but even its successor, Windows 11, still faces the frustrating “The App Didn't Start in the Required Time” error. This error can occur due to various reasons, such as glitched processes or services, corrupt app files, or faulty update installations. However, there's no need to worry! We have compiled a list of ten effective methods to fix this issue on both Windows 10 and 11.

1. Do a Complete System Shutdown

Windows 10 and 11 utilize Fast Startup, which puts the computer in hibernation mode instead of completely shutting it down. This means that even when you shut down the system, the core system and kernel processes remain active. To resolve this issue, perform a complete shutdown to close everything and start fresh. Here's how:

1. Press the Windows key, type CMD, and click on the “Run as administrator” option.
2. In the command prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

   shutdown /s /f /t 0

3. Power on your system and try running the app that encountered the error previously.

2. Try Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows provides built-in troubleshooters for various hardware components and apps. You can use the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter to diagnose and resolve problems. Follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app. In the System section, scroll down and click on the Troubleshoot option.
2. Select the Other troubleshooters option.
3. Find the Microsoft Store Apps troubleshooter and click on the Run button. Wait for the troubleshooter to identify and resolve problems.

3. Adjust the System Date and Time

Incorrect system date and time settings can cause app launch issues. To rule out this possibility, check and update the system date and time:

1. Press the Windows key, type Date and time, and press Enter.
2. Scroll down to the Additional Settings section and click on the Sync now button to update the date and time on your computer using the Windows server.

4. Create a New User Profile

A corrupt or misconfigured user profile can prevent apps from launching. To fix this issue, create a new user account:

1. Disconnect your PC from the internet. Then press the Windows key, type Other Users, and press Enter.
2. Click on the Add account button, enter the username and password, and answer three security questions.
3. Windows will create a local account for you. Click on the arrow icon next to the newly created user account and click on the Change account type button.
4. In the new window, select the Administrator option and click OK.
5. Press the Windows key and select the newly created user profile.
6. Enter the password and press Enter. Wait for Windows to finalize changes and boot to the desktop.
7. Run the app again and check if the error persists.

5. Rollback Windows Update

If you started experiencing the “App Didn't Start in the Required Time” error after a recent system update, it's best to uninstall the update. Follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app. Click on the Windows Update icon.
2. Click on the Update history option and scroll down to the Uninstall updates option.
3. Find the most recent update using the installation date and click on the Uninstall button. Confirm your decision and wait for the updates to uninstall.
4. Restart your system and try running the app again.

6. Repair or Reset the App

Windows allows you to repair or reset both built-in apps and apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store. Before resetting an app, try repairing it. Here's how:

1. Right-click on the Start button and click on the Installed apps option in the Power User menu.
2. Locate the app in the list, click on the three dots icon, and select Advanced options.
3. Scroll down to the Reset section and click on the Repair button. Wait for Windows to execute the repair.
4. If repairing the app doesn't resolve the issue, visit the Advanced options page again and click on the Reset button.

7. Re-Register the App

Instead of performing a Windows reset, you can try re-registering all the apps using PowerShell. This option is applicable for built-in apps only. Here's how:

1. Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, and click on the Run as administrator option.
2. Use the following command to re-register an app:

   Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name AppName | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml" -Verbose}

3. Replace the AppName part with the package name of the application and press Enter.
4. Wait for the command to remove and re-register the app on your system.
5. Close the PowerShell window and restart your system.

8. Reinstall the App

If the app files are corrupted, reinstalling the app can help resolve the issue. For built-in apps, you can use PowerShell or Winget, while for third-party applications, you can use the Control Panel or Settings app. Here's how to reinstall an app using Settings:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select the Installed apps option from the Power User menu.
2. Locate the app you want to remove, click on the three dots, and select the Uninstall option.
3. Confirm your decision and click on the Uninstall button. Windows will remove the app.
4. Open Microsoft Store or Chrome, download and reinstall the app, and run it to check for any launch errors.

9. Run an SFC and DISM Scan

If the errors persist even after re-registering and reinstalling the app, there may be issues with core system files. Running an SFC and DISM scan simultaneously can help restore corrupt or missing files and service the Windows image. Follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key, type CMD, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   sfc /scannow

3. Execute the following command in the same fashion:

   DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

4. Close the Command Prompt window.

10. Use Windows Restore

As a last resort, you can use the Windows Restore feature to revert to a previous point when everything worked fine.

1. Press the Windows key + S, type rstrui, and press Enter to open System Restore.
2. Select a restore point from the list based on when the system was working fine.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts and restart your system to apply the changes.

By following these ten effective methods, you can resolve the “App Didn't Start in the Required Time” error on your Windows computer. Don't let app launch issues hinder your productivity!