Windows Photos App Cannot Open Certain Image Formats

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.

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Thank you

Domic Vo.

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.