PNG File Not Opening in Windows 10! What Should You Do?

You can get 3 solutions when the PNG file not opening in Windows 10. You can read to learn how to open a PNG file when it gets corrupted. There is also a tip for you to recover PNG files.

Posted by @Irene November 13, 2024 Updated By @Irene November 13, 2024

Why is the PNG file not opening in Windows 10?

The PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format is widely used for digital images and photos, as it supports high-quality, lossless compression. These files are often stored on devices like cameras, SD cards, and USB drives. While there are many ways to open PNG files, some users experience issues with PNG files not opening on Windows 10 or 11.

Related article: How to Fix Win 10 Camera Not Working [5 Ways]

This issue, PNG file won’t open Windows 10 can be due to several reasons, such as an outdated or incompatible photo viewer, a corrupted or encrypted PNG file, or the need to replace the default photo viewer. Below are some common causes and solutions for this problem:

● The Windows Photo Viewer is outdated. Or this utility needs repair or reset. ● The PNG file is corrupted/encrypted. ● The default photo viewer needs replacing.

If you’re facing one of these scenarios, you can try the recommended methods below. We'll share the best solutions for different scenarios when you can't open PNG files.

How to fix the PNG file not opening in Windows 10 issue?

When you can't open PNG file, you can first make a good preparation and then use the 3 solutions for fixing PNG file not opening in Windows 10 issues with ease. 

Preparation: Recover the lost PNG files

Before fixing the PNG file not opening in Windows 10 and 11, please first check if your photo files are deleted or damaged. If they are, stop using the storage device immediately to avoid overwriting the files. To recover the lost PNG files successfully and effectively, it is recommended to use a reliable tool like AOMEI FastRecovery.

This is an easy-to-use software that quickly restores photos and over 1000 other file types on various Windows versions, including 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, its simple interface makes recovery straightforward.

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AOMEI FastRecovery is a top choice for reliable data recovery because:
  • Supports the recovery of various image formats, including but not least jpg, png, tmp, gif, bmp, jpeg, tif, bin, psd, dwg, svg, cat, emf, cpl, info, and so on. 

  • It can recover deleted photos from multiple storage devices such as SSDs, HDDs, USB drives, and SD cards.

  • Recovers images lost due to accidental deletion, system crashes, software errors, or virus attacks.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data is lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovery to end.

This step helps you to recover PNG files easily. Now, you can move to the next part to learn how to open a PNG file.

Solution 1. Repair the Image Viewer

If you can't open PNG file in Windows 10 and 11, the issue might be with the photo viewer rather than the PNG files themselves. To check if this is the case, try repairing the image viewer. You can reset it to clear any saved settings and data, then reinstall the app if needed.

Step 1. Press Win + I to open Windows Settings. Click "Apps > Apps & features".

Step 2. Scroll down and select Microsoft Photos. Click and choose "Advanced options".

Step 3. Find and click "Repair".

If the Windows Photo Viewer is still not working correctly, you can try resetting the Photos app; this may fix the problem as well.

Solution 2. Use another app to open a PNG file

Windows Photo Viewer supports only specific file formats. If your image is in a wrong format, you’ll need to either open it with a different program or save it in one of these supported formats. 

Step 1. Right-click on the image you’re trying to open and select Open with.

Step 2. Scroll down and choose Choose another app.

Step 3. A list of available programs will appear. Select a different program and click OK to open the image.

Solution 3. Turn off the PNG file encryption

The Windows 10 and 11 will not open PNG files if it's encrypted. You can follow the steps to turn off the encryption.

Step 1. Go to the encrypted picture in File Explorer. Right-click on it and choose Properties. In the General tab, click the Advanced button.

Step 2. In the Compress or Encrypt attributes section, uncheck the option labeled Encrypt contents to secure data.

Step 3. Click OK to apply the changes.

Final words

The PNG file not opening in Windows 10 issue can be effectively fixed. Before fixing, don't forget to check if you suffer data loss. AOMEI FastRecovery also supports recover erased photos, undo deleted downloads in Windows, or fix issues like the desktop suddenly empty, and so on.  It is a good habit to make a regular backup of your important data in case of data loss.