Photo Import not Working on Windows 10? [10 Expert Solutions]

The Photo import feature may not be working on your Windows 10 PC. But it is an easy and convenient way to transfer your photos and videos from your device to your computer. Some users have experienced problems with this feature not working on several occasions.

This article will provide an overview of the issue. We will also offer some solutions to help you get your Photo Import working again on Windows 10. Let’s dive into the solutions and fixes.

Why can’t I import photos into Windows 10?

The most common issue for import errors is that the photos are in a format not supported by Windows 10. Windows 10 only supports certain image formats, including JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF, and TIFF.

Here are some of the causes of photo import may not be working on Windows 10:

Compatibility: The photo import may fail because the import application may not be compatible with Windows 10.
Device driver: The device driver or photo-importing software may be outdated or corrupted because of aging.
Storage: The computer may not have enough space to import the photos.
Photo format: The photos may be unsupported or have file errors.
Permission: The Windows 10 user account may not have permission to access the device or memory card.
Application conflict: There may be a conflict with other software installed on the system.
Virus or malware: The computer may be infected with malware or a virus.

Now that the problems have been identified, let us see fixes to get the photo import working again.

How do I import photos into Windows 10 if PC won’t import photos?

1. Reset the photo app

First, click the Search icon on the Taskbar and then type settings in the search box.
From the results, click on Settings to run the app and select Apps.
Now select Apps & features under the Apps options.
In the search box, search for photos, click on the app, and then click Advanced options.
Finally, scroll down to look for Reset and click the button.

2. Set application permission

On the Taskbar, click the Search icon, enter file explorer in the search entry, and click the app to launch it.
On the next window, right-click on the Pictures folder and select Properties.
Then click on the Security tab, and under Group or user names, click on the current user.
Now choose Full Control under Permissions for SYSTEM.
Then repeat steps 3 and 4 for Administrators under Group or user names.
Restart your PC and try to import the photos as before.

3. Reinstall the photos app

First, open the Quik Link menu by pressing the Windows and X keys together and press the A key to open the Windows PowerShell(Admin).
On the next window, click yes to confirm the choice.
Now type in the following command:
Get-AppxPackage *photo* | Remove-AppxPackage
Finally, restart your computer and then install the photos app from the Microsoft store.

4. Uninstall the app

To begin, press the Windows +I keys to open the Settings window and select Apps.
Now click on Apps & Features.
Then locate the photo app and click on it. Select the Uninstall option.
Finally, install a photo app from the Microsoft store.

5. Repair the photo app

First, click on the Search icon on the Taskbar and then type settings in the search box.
From the results, click on Settings to run the app and select Apps.
Now select Apps & features under the Apps options.
In the search box, search for photos, click on the app and then click on Advanced options.
Finally, scroll down to look for Repair and click the button.
Now let the process run, and then restart your system.

6. Close and relaunch photo app

First, press the ctrl + shift + Esc keys on the keyboard simultaneously to open the Task Manager.
When the Task Manager opens, locate Photos app.
Then click on it to highlight it and click the End Task button located at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
After the application is closed completely, open the application again and import the images.

7. Scan for virus or malware

First, press the Windows + I keys to launch Settings and click Update & security.
Then under Update & Security click on Windows Security followed by Virus & threat protection.
On the next screen, click on Scan options.
Select Custom scan option and click on Scan Now.
On the next screen, select the folder you want to scan for malware and click Select Folder.
Finally, let the process run. The malware will be identified. Follow the instructions to clean the malware.

We have written some articles on several antivirus software applications that you can use to scan your system for malware that either slow down your PC or causes it to under perform. You should check them out.

8. Update Microsoft Photos app

Begin by opening Settings by pressing Windows and I keys together and click on Update & Recovery.
Then check for updates under Windows Updates.
If one is available, click on Check Updates and follow the instructions to update it.
Finally, restart the PC to complete the process.

9. Restart your PC

Surely, restarting your computer is an essential step in keeping your system running smoothly. It can help clear temporary files, free up memory and CPU resources, reset network connections, and update the system software.

It can also resolve many software and hardware issues. Restarting your computer can help you stay secure by applying software vendors’ latest security patches and updates.

If none of the fixes above work, occasionally try to restart your computer. It might just solve all your import problems.

10. Contact Microsoft support

Writing Microsoft support is an important step if you are experiencing an issue with photo import not working on Windows 10. Doing so will allow the Microsoft Support team to investigate the issue and provide you with a resolution.

This may include either steps to resolve the issue, or they may provide an update or patch to fix the issue. In any case, Microsoft Support can assist in troubleshooting the issue and getting your photo import working properly again.

In conclusion, the issue of photo import not working on Windows 10 is a source of frustration for many users. Unfortunately, there is no single solution that works for everyone.

However, the advice in this article should help you identify the cause of the issue and find a solution that works for you. Let us know which of the 10 solutions helped you solve your photo import not working problem on your Windows 10 computer.