Top 7 Solutions to Fix Event Viewer Not Working on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Event Viewer is a powerful tool that keeps track of all the activities and messages on your Windows computer. It helps you identify and troubleshoot various errors and issues. However, if you're facing problems with Event Viewer not working or opening on Windows, don't worry. Here are some troubleshooting tips you can try.
1. Restart Windows Event Log Service
The Windows Event Log service records information about all the events and processes on your computer. If this service encounters any issues, the Event Viewer app may not work correctly. Restarting the service can often resolve such issues. Here's how you can do it:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type services.msc and press Enter.
- In the Services window, scroll down to locate the Windows Event Log service. Right-click on it and select Restart. If the service is not running, select Start.
Try using Event Viewer again after this and see if it works as expected.
2. Run SFC and DISM Scans
If some of your PC's system files are damaged or missing, it can affect the functioning of Windows apps like Event Viewer. You can run the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scans to repair your PC's system files. Here's how:
- Right-click on the Start icon and select Terminal (Admin) from the list.
- In the console, run the following commands one by one:
sfc /scannow Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart your PC after running the above commands and then try using Event Viewer again.
3. Run the Check Disk Utility
Running the check disk utility allows you to scan and repair your drive for corrupted data and errors. If the Event Viewer not working problem is caused by a problem with your hard drive, running the check disk utility should help.
- Press the Windows key + X and select Terminal (Admin) from the list.
- In the console, paste the following command and press Enter:
chkdsk c: /r
After running the command, restart your PC one more time and see if the issue is still there.
4. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
Memory-intensive apps like Event Viewer may stop responding or crash if there is a problem with your PC's RAM. The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool can scan your PC's RAM for potential errors. Here's how to run it:
- Press the Windows key + S to open the search menu, type in windows tools, and press Enter.
- Double-click on the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.
- Select Restart now and check for problems option.
Once the PC reboots, it will run the diagnostic tool and inspect for any RAM issues.
5. Try Clean Boot
Booting your computer in a clean boot state can help you identify if the Event Viewer not working issue is caused by any third-party apps or services. Here's how you can boot Windows in clean boot mode:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- Under the Services tab, tick the checkbox that reads Hide all Microsoft services and then click the Disable all button.
- Next, switch to the Startup tab, and click on Open Task Manager.
- Disable all third-party startup apps and programs one by one.
Restart your PC after this to enter the clean boot state. After that, try using Event Viewer again. If it works fine, you can be sure that a third-party app or service is causing the problem. You can try uninstalling any recently installed apps and programs to resolve the issue.
6. Create New User Account
Problems with your current user account can also cause default apps like Event Viewer to stop working. This usually happens when some user account files become corrupt. In that case, your best option is to create and switch to a new user account.
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Accounts > Other users and click on Add account.
- In the Microsoft account window, click on I don't have this person's sign-in information and follow the on-screen prompts to create a new user account.
Sign in with your newly created account and check if the issue is still there.
7. Update Windows
Sometimes, the Event Viewer not working issue can occur due to a bug within Windows. Checking for any pending system updates and installing them can often solve the problem.
In the Settings app, head over to the Windows Update tab and click on Check for updates. Download and install any pending updates, and that should resolve your problem.
These are some of the top solutions to fix Event Viewer not working on Windows 10 and Windows 11. By following these troubleshooting tips, you should be able to resolve the issue and use Event Viewer without any problems.

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