8 Reasons Why Calculator Doesn’t Work In Windows 10 (and How To Fix It)

Calculator doesn’t work in Windows 10

If your Windows Calculator stops opening, crashes, or shows incorrect behavior, the problem usually stems from a corrupted app package, Store issues, system file corruption, or conflicting software — and most causes are fixable with simple steps. In this article you’ll learn the most common reasons the Calculator fails in Windows 10 and clear, step‑by‑step fixes to get it working again.

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Key Takeaway

The fastest reliable fix is to reset or reinstall the Calculator app (via Settings or PowerShell) and run SFC/DISM to repair system files; if that doesn’t help, clear the Microsoft Store cache and check for Windows updates or user‑profile problems.

Quick Fix Guide

Reason for the Problem	Quick Solution
Corrupted app data or settings	Settings > Apps > Calculator > Advanced options > Reset.
Missing or corrupted app files	Reinstall Calculator using PowerShell or the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft Store cache or licensing problems	Run wsreset.exe and reset the Microsoft Store app.
Outdated Windows or app	Install pending updates via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
System file corruption	Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
User profile or permissions issue	Create a new user account via Settings > Accounts and test.
Conflicting third‑party software (antivirus or system utilities)	Temporarily disable or uninstall the software and retest.
Graphics driver or UWP framework problems	Update GPU drivers in Device Manager and re‑register the app with PowerShell.

Detailed Fixes for “Calculator doesn’t work in Windows 10”

H3: 1. Corrupted app data or settings

Why this causes the problem

UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps keep local data and settings that can become corrupted and cause the app to fail to start or behave oddly.

Step‑by‑step solution

Open Settings (press Windows + I).
Go to Apps > Apps & features.
Find Calculator in the list (use the search box).
Click it, then choose Advanced options.
Click Repair first; test the Calculator. If that doesn’t help, click Reset (this will remove app data and history).
Restart Windows and open Calculator again.

Notes/tips

Resetting deletes app-specific data like history and preferences, but won’t remove the app from your system.

H3: 2. Missing or corrupted app files

Why this causes the problem

Core app files can get removed or corrupted by updates, disk errors, or accidental uninstall, preventing the Calculator from launching.

Step‑by‑step solution

Try reinstalling via Microsoft Store:
- Open Microsoft Store, search Windows Calculator, and click Install or Get.
If Store install fails, reinstall using PowerShell (run as administrator):
- To remove: Get-AppxPackage windowscalculator | Remove-AppxPackage
- To re-register/reinstall: Get-AppxPackage -allusers WindowsCalculator | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Restart your PC and test Calculator.

Notes/tips

When using PowerShell commands, ensure the console is run as Administrator. If re-registration fails for -allusers, try without -allusers.

H3: 3. Microsoft Store cache or licensing problems

Why this causes the problem

The Store owns and distributes built-in apps; a broken Store cache can prevent apps from updating or reinstalling correctly.

Step‑by‑step solution

Reset Store cache: press Windows + R, type wsreset.exe, press Enter; a blank Command Prompt window will open briefly and Store will reset.
Reset Microsoft Store app via Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Microsoft Store > Advanced options > Reset.
Reboot and try reinstalling Calculator from the Store.

Notes/tips

After a Store reset, you may need to sign in to the Microsoft Store again.

H3: 4. Outdated Windows or app

Why this causes the problem

Compatibility problems between an outdated OS and the Calculator app can cause crashes or missing features.

Step‑by‑step solution

Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
After updates and a restart, open Calculator to check functionality.

Notes/tips

Also update drivers (especially GPU) under Device Manager or from the manufacturer’s website if Calculator UI is flickering or blank.

H3: 5. System file corruption (SFC/DISM)

Why this causes the problem

Corrupted system files can break UWP app frameworks or dependencies required by Calculator.

Step‑by‑step solution

Open Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin): press Windows, type cmd, right‑click Command Prompt, choose Run as administrator.
Run: sfc /scannow and wait for completion.
If issues remain, run:
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Reboot and test Calculator.

Notes/tips

DISM may need working Windows Update files — ensure network connection is available.

H3: 6. User profile or permissions issue

Why this causes the problem

Corrupted or restricted user profiles can prevent apps from starting correctly for a particular user.

Step‑by‑step solution

Create a new local test account:
- Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC.
- Choose I don’t have this person’s sign‑in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account, and create credentials.
Sign out and sign in with the new account.
Open Calculator — if it works, the issue is with your original profile; consider migrating data to a new account or repairing the profile.

Notes/tips

If Calculator works in a new account, you can export files and recreate your main account or attempt to repair the profile using system restore or in-place upgrade.

H3: 7. Conflicting third‑party software (antivirus, system utilities)

Why this causes the problem

Some antivirus or system optimization tools can block UWP app processes or remove necessary files.

Step‑by‑step solution

Temporarily disable your third‑party antivirus or security suite (refer to the vendor instructions).
Close system utilities that might monitor or sandbox apps (e.g., Deep Freeze, folder protection tools).
Test Calculator. If it works, adjust the security software settings (whitelist Calculator) or replace the interfering tool.
Re-enable your antivirus once testing is complete.

Notes/tips

Don’t leave your PC unprotected; if you must disable antivirus, disconnect from the Internet during the test.

H3: 8. Graphics driver or UWP framework problems

Why this causes the problem

Outdated or faulty GPU drivers and framework problems can cause blank windows, crashes, or UI issues in UWP apps like Calculator.

Step‑by‑step solution

Update GPU drivers:
- Open Device Manager (press Windows + X, choose Device Manager).
- Expand Display adapters, right‑click your GPU, choose Update driver > Search automatically.
If automatic update doesn’t help, download drivers from the GPU vendor (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and install them.
Re‑register the Calculator app using PowerShell:
- Get-AppxPackage -allusers WindowsCalculator | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Restart and verify Calculator.

Notes/tips

If updating drivers causes other problems, use Device Manager > Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver to return to previous version.

Maintenance & Prevention (section ajouté)

Why it matters

Preventing app failures saves time and keeps your system stable.

Best practices

Keep Windows and apps updated via Settings > Update & Security.
Avoid uninstalling built‑in apps unless you have a recovery plan.
Create regular system restore points: Control Panel > System > System Protection > Create.
Back up your user data to OneDrive or an external drive.
When installing system utilities or third‑party security tools, review permissions and sandbox settings.

FAQ

H4: Why does Calculator open but show a blank or white window?

This often indicates GPU/driver or UWP rendering issues; update your graphics driver in Device Manager and re-register the app with PowerShell as shown above.

H4: Can I recover Calculator history after resetting the app?

No — resetting the Calculator deletes its local data and history. If you need history, export or back it up before resetting (the app itself doesn’t provide an export feature).

H4: Can Group Policy or Windows settings block Calculator?

Yes. On domain-joined or professionally managed PCs, admins can restrict access to built-in apps. Check with your IT admin or review local Group Policy under gpedit.msc (if available) for app restrictions.

H4: Is there a portable alternative if Calculator still won’t work?

Yes — you can use third‑party portable calculators (e.g., freeware scientific calculators) or the command prompt for simple arithmetic (e.g., in PowerShell type 2+2).

H4: How do I view app crash logs for Calculator?

Open Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Application and look for Application Error entries at the time of crash; these entries can help identify failing modules or DLLs.

Conclusion

Most Calculator problems in Windows 10 are caused by corrupted app data, Store or system file issues, or driver/software conflicts and can be resolved by resetting or reinstalling the app, clearing the Store cache, and repairing system files. If you follow the steps above, you should be able to restore a working Calculator; for persistent issues, consider testing a new user account or re‑registering the app as described for Calculator doesn’t work in Windows 10.

8 reasons why Calculator doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)

Key Takeaway

Quick Fix Guide