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How to Fix Event Viewer Not Working Error on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Event Viewer is a vital tool in Windows 11 that helps you monitor system events, errors, and warnings. Sometimes, you might find that Event Viewer is not opening or working properly. This can make troubleshooting your PC difficult.

Fixing Event Viewer issues is usually straightforward and doesn’t require advanced technical skills. With a few simple steps, you can get it running again quickly.

This guide will walk you through easy-to-follow solutions to resolve the Event Viewer not working error on Windows 11. We’ll start with quick checks and then move to more detailed fixes.

By the end, you should be able to access Event Viewer without problems and continue monitoring your system events efficiently.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Before diving into detailed troubleshooting, here are some quick things to verify:

  • Check your user account: Ensure you are logged in with an administrator account. Event Viewer requires admin rights to work properly.
  • Restart your PC: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches preventing Event Viewer from opening.
  • Windows Updates: Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date. Updates often include fixes for system tools like Event Viewer.
  • Basic system check: Confirm that other administrative tools like Task Manager or Services are working correctly. If they’re not, the problem might be broader.

Step 1: Run Event Viewer as Administrator

Sometimes, Event Viewer won’t start if it doesn’t have the right permissions. Running it as an administrator can fix this.

  1. Click the Start button or press the Windows key.
  2. Type Event Viewer into the search bar.
  3. Right-click on Event Viewer from the results.
  4. Select Run as administrator.

Running Event Viewer with elevated permissions ensures it can access all system logs and resources needed to function.

Step 2: Restart the Windows Event Log Service

The Event Viewer depends on the Windows Event Log service. If this service is stopped or not responding, Event Viewer won’t work.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
  3. In the Services window, scroll down and find Windows Event Log.
  4. Right-click it and select Restart. If the option is grayed out, select Start.

Restarting this service refreshes Event Viewer’s connection to system logs and often fixes loading problems.

Step 3: Use System File Checker (SFC) to Repair Corrupted Files

Event Viewer may not work properly if some system files are corrupted or missing. Windows includes a tool called System File Checker to scan and fix these files.

  1. Press Windows + S and type cmd.
  2. Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
  3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow

This scan may take several minutes. Once complete, it will automatically repair corrupted system files.

Restart your computer and try opening Event Viewer again.

Step 4: Check Event Viewer Log Files for Corruption

If Event Viewer itself is having trouble reading log files, it might cause errors. You can clear corrupted logs to fix this.

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Navigate to the following folder:
C:WindowsSystem32winevtLogs

This folder contains all Event Viewer log files.

  1. Make a backup of this folder by copying it somewhere safe.
  2. Delete the contents of the Logs folder (you may need administrator permission).
  3. Restart your computer. Windows will recreate fresh log files.

Deleting corrupted log files allows Event Viewer to start with clean logs, often resolving the issue.

Step 5: Reset Event Viewer Settings via Registry Editor

Sometimes, Event Viewer settings may become corrupted. Resetting these settings can help, but be cautious when using the Registry Editor.

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to this path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionEvent Viewer
  1. Right-click the Event Viewer folder and select Delete.
  2. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.

This will reset Event Viewer preferences to default and may resolve any configuration issues.

Alternative Method: Use PowerShell to Open Event Viewer

If the usual methods fail, you can try launching Event Viewer via PowerShell as a workaround.

  1. Press Windows + S, type PowerShell.
  2. Right-click Windows PowerShell and choose Run as administrator.
  3. Type the following command and press Enter:
eventvwr

This command opens Event Viewer directly and may bypass some interface issues.

FAQs

Why won’t Event Viewer open even after running as administrator?

This could be due to corrupted system files, a stopped Windows Event Log service, or corrupted log files. Follow the steps above to restart services and repair files.

Can a virus cause Event Viewer not to work?

Yes, malware can interfere with system services and files. Running a full antivirus scan is recommended if you suspect infection.

Is it safe to delete Event Viewer log files?

Yes, Windows will recreate these files automatically. However, you may lose historical event data, so back up logs if you need them.

What if System File Checker doesn’t fix the problem?

Try running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool (DISM) with the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in an elevated Command Prompt.

Can I reinstall Event Viewer?

Event Viewer is a built-in Windows component and cannot be uninstalled separately. Repairing system files is the best approach.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above solutions fix the Event Viewer not working error, consider these final options:

  • Perform a System Restore: Roll back your system to a previous point when Event Viewer was working.
  • Reset Windows 11: Use the Reset This PC feature to repair your OS without losing personal files.
  • Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support for professional help.

Conclusion

Event Viewer is an essential tool for managing and troubleshooting Windows 11. When it stops working, it can be frustrating, but most issues are fixable with simple steps.

Starting with running as administrator and restarting the Windows Event Log service often solves the problem. If not, system scans and clearing corrupted logs usually help.

Always ensure your system is updated and back up important logs before making changes. By following the step-by-step solutions in this guide, you should be able to restore Event Viewer functionality and keep your system diagnostics running smoothly.

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