Visual Studio Crashing on Startup in Windows 10 and Windows 11: How to Fix It

If Visual Studio crashes immediately after launching, you are not alone. Many users face this issue after updates, corrupted extensions, or system changes. The good news is that most startup crashes can be fixed with simple troubleshooting steps.

This guide explains why Visual Studio crashes on startup and how to fix it in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Why Visual Studio Crashes on Startup

Visual Studio may crash due to:

• Corrupted installation files
• Problematic extensions
• Damaged user settings
• Outdated .NET Framework
• Windows update conflicts
• Graphics driver issues

Identifying the cause helps apply the correct fix.

Fix 1: Start Visual Studio in Safe Mode

Safe Mode disables extensions and custom settings.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type:

devenv /SafeMode

3. Press Enter

If Visual Studio opens successfully, an extension is likely causing the crash.

Fix 2: Disable or Remove Problematic Extensions

If Safe Mode works:

1. Open Visual Studio
2. Go to Extensions > Manage Extensions
3. Disable recently installed extensions
4. Restart Visual Studio

Remove extensions that cause repeated crashes.

Fix 3: Repair Visual Studio Installation

Repairing installation files can fix corruption issues.

Steps:

1. Open Visual Studio Installer
2. Select your installed version
3. Click More
4. Choose Repair
5. Wait for the process to complete

Restart your system after repair.

Fix 4: Delete User Settings Cache

Corrupted settings can prevent startup.

Steps:

1. Close Visual Studio
2. Press Windows + R
3. Type:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\VisualStudio

4. Delete the version folder
5. Restart Visual Studio

This resets user-specific settings.

Fix 5: Update Windows and .NET Framework

Outdated system components may cause compatibility issues.

Steps:

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Windows Update
3. Click Check for updates
4. Install available updates
5. Restart your PC

Make sure .NET Framework is also up to date.

Fix 6: Update Graphics Drivers

Visual Studio relies on graphics acceleration.

Steps:

1. Open Device Manager
2. Expand Display adapters
3. Right-click your graphics card
4. Select Update driver

Restart your system after updating.

Fix 7: Run System File Checker

Corrupted system files can cause crashes.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator
2. Run:

sfc /scannow

3. Wait for the scan to finish
4. Restart your PC

This repairs damaged Windows files.

Fix 8: Reinstall Visual Studio

If nothing works, reinstalling may be necessary.

Steps:

1. Open Visual Studio Installer
2. Uninstall the current version
3. Restart your PC
4. Download the latest version from the official website
5. Install again

This ensures a clean installation.

Check Event Viewer for Error Details

If the crash continues:

1. Press Windows + X
2. Select Event Viewer
3. Go to Windows Logs > Application
4. Look for Visual Studio errors

This helps identify specific faulting modules.

Final Thoughts

Visual Studio crashing on startup is usually caused by extensions, corrupted settings, or installation issues. Starting in Safe Mode and repairing the installation fixes most cases. Keeping Windows, drivers, and Visual Studio updated helps prevent future crashes.

FAQs

Why does Visual Studio close immediately after opening
It may be caused by faulty extensions or corrupted installation files.

Does this issue affect Windows 11
Yes, it can occur on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Will repairing Visual Studio delete my projects
No, it only repairs installation files.

Can graphics drivers cause Visual Studio crashes
Yes, outdated drivers may cause startup issues.