5 Common Windows 11 Errors and How to Fix Them

5 Common Windows 11 Errors and How to Fix Them

Released in late 2021, Windows 11 is the newest operating system that solicited mixed reviews from its users. This free upgrade comes packed with a more aesthetically pleasing design, new features, and a better overall experience.

But no OS is 100% bug- and error-free. Like any previous major updates, it is expected that you might hit some minor snags when running your computer with the latest OS. Although Microsoft rolled out Windows 11 gradually in anticipation of minor tweaks, it’s not entirely impossible for a bug or two to slip out.

The good thing is the majority of these errors can be fixed instantly and easily. So don’t fret —we compiled common Windows 11 errors that some users are experiencing and how you can navigate through them.

Problem 1: I Can’t Upgrade To Windows 11

While the latest Windows operating system is indeed free, your device still needs to be eligible for the upgrade. Microsoft released a comprehensive list of system requirements including that the device you’re using must already be running Windows 10 v. 2010 or later.

For ineligible devices, Microsoft recommends that you purchase a new PC that is up-to-date on the requirements. Generally speaking, decent devices from late 2018 onwards can handle the upgrade.

Here’s a more detailed look at minimum Windows 11 system requirements:

• Processor: 1 GHz with 2 or more cores on a 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: At least 64 GB
• System Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
• Trusted Platform Module (TPM): Version 2.0
• Graphics Card: At least DirectX 12 with WDDM 2.0 driver
• Display: Greater than 9” diagonally, HD 720p
• Internet Connection: Yes
• Microsoft Account: Required for some features

To check if your device is compatible, open Settings > System > About and check your device specifications. Do take note that Windows automatically notifies you once an update is ready. You can also look at the PC Health Check application pre-installed on your device if you meet the requirements listed above.

For upgrades, go to Settings > Upgrade and Security and download the latest version of Windows 11.

Problem 2: I Successfully Upgraded To Windows 11 But My PC is Now Slow

It’s important to remember that updating to a new OS won’t magically make your computer run faster. You’re still using the same hardware after all. Newer operating systems are slightly more demanding on your PC compared to its previous predecessors.

That’s why Microsoft provides system requirements checks before you can upgrade to Windows 11. But these requirements are only the minimum. Meaning, these are the lowest possible specs that the OS could operate and be functional. How efficient it operates still depends on the capability of your PC.

So you can have all the requirements met but still end up with a now laggy PC because the new OS overclocks your device.

But if your device’s specifications are more than capable yet your computer still runs slow, your drivers might not be up-to-date or there might be residual parts of your software that keeps it from running smoothly. To fix this, do the following:

Perform Driver Updates

1. Go to Device Manager.
2. Click on a driver category then right-click the specific driver you want to update.
3. Click “Search automatically for updated driver software”.
4. Select “Update Driver”
5. Restart PC if necessary.

Reset Windows 11 on PC

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Recovery.
2. Select “Reset this PC”.

Performing Driver Updates will ensure that all the drivers on your PC are updated in line with the new OS. Meanwhile, resetting your PC will uninstall and reinstall Windows 11. This will not remove existing files on your PC but you need to reinstall any applications you downloaded.

Problem 3: Snipping Tool is Not Working

With Windows 10, gone were the days where we used to screenshot the whole screen and paste it on MS Paint. The Snipping Tool (Windows + Shift + S) allows us to simply clip and save whatever content we have on screen. But this handy feature may not be available on your device once updated to Windows 11.

If you try to use the Snipping Tool, your PC will encounter an error with the message “This app can’t be open”. That’s because certain apps and widgets on your PC including the Snipping Tool, emoji panel, and voice typing have expired certificates and won’t work on the latest OS.

As an alternative, Microsoft advises its users to revert to using the Print Screen button on your keyboard and pasting it on another app to save it.

Problem 4: My Internet Became Slower After Windows 11 Upgrade

Some users reported that after upgrading to Windows 11, their Internet is noticeably slower and it turns out to be a post-installation problem of the OS.

In a statement released by Microsoft, the problem was pointed out to be a compatibility issue with Intel Killer network drivers. If affected, expect that some websites will load slower and it seems that using a VPN won’t fix the problem.

Microsoft is expected to fix this problem in the upcoming updates for Windows 11. In the meantime, we suggest using an external Wi-Fi dongle as a temporary remedy.

Problem 5: My Windows 11 Start Menu is not Working Properly

In some cases, the Start Menu suddenly “acts up” rendering it partially or completely unresponsive. Users reported having a buggy Start Menu that you can’t type to search on and some experienced issues where the whole thing becomes unresponsive.

Microsoft already acknowledged these problems and will release fixes in future updates. But if you find yourself in the same predicament, there’s a quick fix to it.

If you can’t type to search on the Start Menu, simply open the Run window (Windows key + R) and close it. You don’t need to type anything. It appears that this “resets” the type function on your Start Menu. But if the whole thing is unresponsive, then you need to restart your PC. Just press Alt + F4 and click “Restart”.