Windows Photos App Cannot Open Certain Image Formats

Patel Vihaan 60 Reputation points
2026-11-03T06:19:13.14+00:00

The Windows Photos application cannot open specific image formats even though other image viewers can access them. How can I investigate codec availability, application dependencies, file associations, and image integrity?

Windows for business | Windows 365 Business
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Prashantkumar Kishanrao Sundge 80 Reputation points
2026-11-03T08:38:54.3733333+00:00

Most "Photos can't open it but other viewers can" cases come down to a missing Store extension, because Photos relies on Windows codecs while viewers like IrfanView or XnView ship their own. A quick way to work through it:

1. Check what the file really is. The extension can lie (e.g. a HEIC renamed to .jpg). In PowerShell:

Format-Hex .\photo.jpg | Select-Object -First 2
```- `FF D8 FF` = JPEG
- `89 50 4E 47` = PNG
- `ftypheic` / `ftypmif1` near the start = HEIC/HEIF
- `ftypavif` = AVIF
- `RIFF....WEBP` = WebP

**2. Install the matching extension from the Microsoft Store:**

- HEIC/HEIF: "HEIF Image Extensions" **and** "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" (free; the one without "Device Manufacturer" is paid)
- AVIF: "AV1 Video Extension"
- WebP: "Webp Image Extensions" (built into recent Windows 11 builds)
- Camera RAW: "Raw Image Extension"

Close Photos completely and reopen it after installing.

**3. File association:** Settings > Apps > Default apps > Photos, and check the extension is assigned to Photos.

**4. App problem:** Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Photos > Advanced options > Repair (then Reset if Repair doesn't help). Also check Microsoft Store > Library for pending updates.

**5. Integrity:** if the file opens elsewhere, re-save a copy from that viewer and try the copy in Photos. If the copy opens, the original uses an unusual encoding profile (common with some 16-bit or CMYK files) rather than being corrupt.

Was this answer helpful?

2 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

2 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest

  1. AI answer

    2026-11-09T06:19:44.8833333+00:00

    Determine the exact format first, then test the matching codec; if the affected files are HEIC/HEIF, install Microsoft’s HEIF and HEVC extensions and restart Photos.

    1. Identify the affected format

    1. In File Explorer, select View → Show → File name extensions.
    2. Record:
      • The extension, such as .jpg, .png, .tif, .heic, or .nef.
      • The file’s source: iPhone, camera, scanner, editing software, or download.
      • Whether every file of that type fails or only particular files.
      • The exact Photos error message.
    3. Do not diagnose the format solely from the extension. An extension can represent different underlying content, and one format can have multiple extensions; the file’s actual format should match its extension.^1^

    Create a small test matrix:

    Test Result indicates
    All files with one extension fail Missing format support or codec
    Only files from one device fail Device-specific encoding or transfer issue
    Only one or two files fail Corruption, incomplete transfer, or unusual encoding
    Open with → Photos works, but double-click fails File-association problem
    Common JPG/PNG files also fail in Photos Photos installation or app-data problem

    2. Check codec availability

    If the files are .heic or .heif

    Install both extensions from Microsoft Store:

    1. Install HEIF Image Extensions.
    2. Install HEVC Video Extensions.
    3. Close and restart Photos, then reopen the file.

    Microsoft documents that both extensions can be required even when working only with photos.^2^

    If Store installation is unavailable on the managed Windows 365 device, ask the administrator to make those extensions available. As an alternative diagnostic, open the file through the OneDrive website in a browser; OneDrive can preview HEIF/HEVC content even when Windows requires an additional codec to open the downloaded file locally.^3^

    If another format is affected

    In Microsoft Store, search for the exact extension or right-click the file and select Open with → Search the Microsoft Store. Install only an extension or application from a trusted publisher. Codec packs from unrelated download sites should not be the first troubleshooting step.

    For camera RAW formats such as .nef, .cr2, or .arw, record the camera model as well as the extension. Support can vary with the specific RAW encoding, not just the filename suffix.

    3. Isolate file-association problems

    File associations control which application receives a file when it is double-clicked; they do not add decoding support.

    1. Right-click an affected file.
    2. Select Open with → Choose another app → Photos.
    3. If Photos opens it successfully, go to Settings → Apps → Default apps.
    4. Search for the affected extension, such as .jpg or .heic.
    5. Select Photos as its default application.^4^

    If Open with → Photos produces the same decoding error, changing the default association will not resolve it; continue with app and integrity checks.

    4. Repair Photos when supported formats also fail

    If known-good JPG or PNG files fail in Photos:

    1. Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
    2. Find Microsoft Photos and select More options (…) → Advanced options.
    3. Select Repair and retest.
    4. If Repair does not help, select Reset, then retest.

    Repair attempts to fix the application without reinstalling it. Reset returns the app to its default state and can remove its app data.^5^

    If only one specialized format fails while ordinary JPG/PNG files open normally, repairing Photos is less relevant than checking that format’s codec.

    5. Test image integrity without modifying the original

    1. Copy one failing file to a local folder such as Pictures. This separates decoding from network, synchronization, or removable-media access.
    2. Compare its file size with the original source. A zero-byte or unexpectedly small file indicates an incomplete transfer.
    3. Download or transfer the same image again under a different filename.
    4. Open both copies in another trusted viewer.
    5. From that viewer, use Save As or Export to create a new JPG or PNG—do not merely rename the extension.
    6. Open the exported copy in Photos.

    Interpretation:

    • Re-exported copy opens: the original likely uses an encoding variant Photos cannot decode, or contains malformed metadata.
    • Fresh transfer opens: the first copy was incomplete or damaged.
    • Neither original nor exported copy opens, while normal JPG/PNG files do: collect the exact error, extension, source application/device, dimensions, and whether OneDrive web preview succeeds, then escalate to the device administrator or Microsoft support.

    References

    1. Discovering a File's Format
    2. Photos app Video Editor error: Can’t view this file type | Microsoft Support
    3. Upload HEIF and HEVC photos and videos to OneDrive | Microsoft Support
    4. Change Default Apps in Windows | Microsoft Support
    5. Windows 10
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

  2. Domic Vo 37,000 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-03T08:11:42.3866667+00:00

    Hello,

    If Windows Photos cannot open specific image formats while other viewers can, the issue is likely related to missing codecs, unsupported encoding profiles, or a problem with the Photos app itself. First, verify whether the affected formats require additional extensions, such as HEIF Image Extensions or AV1 Video Extension, through the Microsoft Store, and check that Windows and Photos are fully updated.

    Next, test the affected files using PowerShell with Get-Item to verify their size and file metadata, and compare their extensions with their actual file formats. Check file associations under Settings > Apps > Default apps and confirm that the affected extensions are associated with Microsoft Photos. To troubleshoot application dependencies, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Photos > Advanced options, select Repair, and use Reset only if Repair does not resolve the issue.

    If the problem persists, reinstall Microsoft Photos through the Microsoft Store and test the same files again. You can also check Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Application for Photos-related application errors. Could you share the affected image formats (for example, HEIC, TIFF, RAW, or AVIF), your Windows version, and any error message displayed by Photos? This will help identify whether the issue is codec-related, application-specific, or caused by file corruption.

    If my answer is useful for you, please hit Accept the answer to support me.

    Thank you

    Domic Vo.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.