Millions of users have either upgraded or purchased new computers that come with Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system. The operating system is the best Microsoft has offered in a while, and it brings together what users love about the utility of Windows 8 and Windows 7. There are still some common Windows 10 issues that pop up every day.
Microsoft plans to release new features and software changes to fix Windows 10 issues in the coming years. For example, the first release of Windows 10 Creators Update is set for this spring. Every month, it also releases new fixes to fix problems. Until these fixes are available, here are some relatively easy ways to fix common problems that some people encounter.
Windows 10 Problems
If you suddenly find that your laptop, tablet, or 2-in-1’s battery isn’t holding up as long as it should, it might be time to turn on Windows 10’s Battery Saver feature.
Tap or click the button on the right side of the Taskbar.
Dim your device screen by tapping the button on the right or turn it on to dim your screen and reduce notifications and extras running in the background.
The new Xbox in Windows app allows users to stream their gaming sessions directly from their Xbox One to their PC. This is especially helpful when you’re in another room and don’t want to move around to play your favorite games. Sometimes you will have issues with game streaming. To be specific, you will encounter some irregularity in the video.
Test Xbox One game streaming by opening NET.
Now go to the field and look at the signal indicator to the left of your device name. If it’s red, you’re definitely going to run into some streaming issues.
To fix Windows 10 game streaming issues, first connect your Xbox One directly to your wireless router to see if that’s the issue. If so, your wireless router may be too slow to handle this feature. When using game streaming you have to buy a new one or stay connected to your network. You can also try adjusting the video quality of your stream to put less strain on your network.
Also, many people seem to forget that streaming requires the game to be digital, or that your physical copy is already on the disc drive.
Common Windows 10 Problems: Fix Windows 10 Camera App
Windows 10 has a camera app that lets you take pictures with your device’s built-in camera. Sometimes the camera app gets stuck and deprives you of the ability to switch between multiple cameras on your device or take a photo. If this happens, close the Camera app and look for other apps that might be using the camera.
If you’re having serious problems with Windows 10 after upgrading, you can always have the operating system delete and reinstall itself without removing your files.
Click or tap the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen.
Tap or click . Tap or click . Tap or click . Tap or click .
Whether you choose to delete all your files with Windows 10 is up to you. Once done, once deleted, Windows 10 will reinstall itself. This should fix any OS related issues. Now if you have upgraded your Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC to Windows 10, you will also have the option to revert to your previous operating system.
Windows 10’s different apps are great and new, but some still have issues. A few of them will constantly bump into you right now.
Try closing the app by tapping or clicking the X icon in the top right corner of the app. If you are in Tablet Mode, place your finger on the top edge of your screen and drag the app towards the bottom of the screen.
Now reopen.
To reinstall an app, go to the Windows Store and keep having issues not working or installing properly.
Common Windows 10 Problems: How to Add Music to Microsoft Groove
Windows Media Player is still in Windows 10, but Microsoft is not encouraging anyone to use it. Instead, Xbox Music has been rebuilt for the operating system. Groove Music allows users to stream music from Microsoft servers or play music they already own. To add songs to Groove Music, drop them into the Music folder on your PC.
If you don’t want to move your music files, open Groove Music.
Click or tap the cog wheel in the lower left corner of the app. Tap or click the link.
Common Windows 10 Problems: OneDrive Files Are Missing
For Windows 10, Microsoft is back to the drawing board in OneDrive, its online storage service. In Windows 8.1, users can store stuff in their OneDrive account and have small placeholder files for browsing that content on their computers. In Windows 10 this is gone.
To see all the files stored in your OneDrive account, these files must be synced to your PC. You can also view them all at: OneDrive.com. This site is also the best place to monitor how much free storage you have left.
Microsoft Edge is the new replacement for Internet Explorer. The company says it’s faster, more touch-friendly, and easier to use than the two versions of Internet Explorer included with Windows 8.1. Over time, Microsoft Edge will become more reliable, but at the moment it is very, very problematic on some sites.
If a site is constantly giving you trouble in Microsoft Edge, tap or click the three dots in the upper right corner.
Select open in
Common Windows 10 Problems: Cortana Not Working
We’ll have to wait for Microsoft to fix some issues with Cortana not responding when you tap or click the microphone icon in the taskbar. If your problem is that she can’t hear you well when you give voice commands, try going into Cortana’s settings using the Notebook Icon on the left side of her Window. Adjust the volume again, if you’re in a fairly quiet area, take some time to add your sound pressure.
Cortana isn’t available in every country yet, which explains why you might be missing the personal assistant. Even if Cortana is used in your region, some features may not be available.
Common Windows 10 Issues: Can’t Edit Documents in Word Mobile and Office 365
Microsoft shocked the world when it announced that it would grant access to Office Mobile apps. So many people have taken advantage of the apps that many have forgotten that they are not completely free. Officially, Word Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile and Excel Mobile are free only for users with a device with a screen size less than 10.1 inches.
Everyone else needs an Office 365 subscription.
Common Windows 10 Problems: Movies & TV Won’t Stream Video
Microsoft’s new Movies & TV app allows users to stream their purchased content or store it locally for playback. The first is useful if you really want to start watching something right away. Local playback is great for planes, trains, and other situations where connecting to Microsoft servers is not possible.
Even with recent updates, sometimes Movies & TV won’t start streaming users purchased content. When this happens, close the app by clicking the X in the corner of your screen. Touch users should swipe down from the top edge of their screen and tap the button in the right corner.
Restarting the app should fix the problem.
Common Windows 10 Problems: Start Menu Won’t Open
There are some issues that have plagued Windows 10 since its release in 2015. Windows 10’s Start Menu may be both touch and keyboard friendly, but it has major issues with reliability on some systems. Often times, it takes longer than necessary to load. In rare cases, it will not load at all.
If this is happening to you, try restarting your device. If it persists, check What to Do When Windows 10 Start Menu Won’t Open.
Common Windows 10 Problems: Microsoft Edge Won’t Open Web Pages
Sometimes Microsoft Edge cannot smoothly open a web page you previously browsed. When this happens, try creating an Incognito Tab by clicking in the address bar and selecting .
Now go to the previously not working page. This is a temporary fix until Microsoft fixes some issues still affecting the operating system.
Common Windows 10 Problems: Can’t Get Sound
If you’re trying to listen to music or watch videos but there’s no sound from your computer, start by clicking the speaker icon located on the right side of the Taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Check the volume first, then click any arrow you can see that lets you change the device you’re sending audio to. (Note that this only occurs if you have Bluetooth or a second set of speakers connected.)
Definitely, try restarting your device.
Common Windows 10 Issues: Missing Restore Media (New)
Microsoft designed the Windows 10 Recovery Tools to prevent users from reinstalling their operating systems from flash drives and DVDs. In most cases, that’s exactly how it behaves. Sometimes that’s not the case though. While you are trying to refresh or restore your computer, you may be informed that the required media is missing to refresh your computer.
If this happens to you, you’ll need to download recovery media from the company that made your laptop, desktop, or tablet. Some companies let you download a copy for free. Others may charge you.
Common Windows 10 Problems: Unable to Download Apps from Windows Store
The Windows Store lets you download or buy as many apps as you want, but not on as many computers as it once did. In fact, the store now includes Xbox One on 10 devices where you can install apps.
Once you reach this limit of 10 devices, you will need to navigate to: Account.Microsoft.com to remove one of your old devices
Good luck using Windows 10.
