5 Best Fixes for Command Prompt Not Working on Windows 11

CMD, or Command Prompt, acts as a command-line interface in all Windows operating systems and is also included in their latest OS, Windows 11. People who use it daily already know that it plays a vital role in Windows, as you can use the command to operate or manage your system easily.

But people who use Windows 11 now also face Command Prompt Not Working issues. There are multiple reasons for this: corrupted system files, missing environment variable third-party antivirus, incomplete Windows updates, and more.

So, we have made a comprehensive guide and listed all the best ways to fix the command prompt not working on Windows 11. Try these one by one, and you will find the solution.

Also Read- How to Turn Off / Disable Windows 11 Firewall

Fixing this issue is no big deal, so anybody can apply our methods below. You just need to follow these steps carefully.

1. Disable Antivirus

Antivirus is a very aggressive tool for protecting your PC against multiple types of threats and cyberattacks. Sometimes, it can also detect your system files as viruses, preventing them from running. So, some Windows programs, such as the command prompt, fall into this category and are not open because of antivirus.

So, I recommend you disable your antivirus for some time and try running a command prompt to see if it is working. Disabling antivirus will not harm your PC, as your PC functionality may improve.

2. Create a Shortcut

If you’re having trouble opening the Command Prompt because you’re having problems with the Start menu or the Windows Search, you can try creating a shortcut to it in your desktop. Here’s how to do it:

1. Right-click on your Windows 11 home screen anywhere in free space and hover the mouse over New> Shortcut.
2. After that, type cmd.exe and click on Next.
3. Now give that shortcut a name like Command Prompt and click on Finish.

That’s it. Now, whenever you want to open the command prompt, just double-click on the shortcut, and it will open.

3. Perform a System File Check and DISM

Another reason Command Prompt may not function properly for you is if one or more system files are corrupted or missing.

If so, try running an SFC (System File Checker) scan on your computer to detect and repair any corrupted or missing system files. Here’s how to do it.

1. Open the Start menu and search for Windows PowerShell. (Since Command Prompt is not working).
2. Next, right-click on Windows PowerShell and click on Run as Admin from the pop-up menu.
3. Now, enter the below command and press Enter.

sfc /scannow

This process may take some time. If the scan is successful in detecting and fixing files, you’ll see a message that says something like, ‘Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.’

If the SFC scan does not reveal any problems, you can try running a DISM scan, which stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management, instead. Similar to an SFC scan, DISM can repair system images and files on your Windows system. Here’s how to get it to work:

1. Repeat steps 1-3 and enter the below-given commands one by one. However, make sure to follow the same order in which they are written.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once everything is complete, try opening Command Prompt and checking whether the not-working issue is solved. If this doesn’t help, follow our next fix.

4. Change System Environment Variables Path

The Command Prompt may not work or run commands if there are problems with the environment variables path on your computer. To fix this, you can create a new path by following the steps outlined in this section.

1. Press Windows + R key to open the run dialog box.
2. In the text box, type: sysdm.cpl and press Enter.
3. Now, in the System Properties window, switch to the Advanced tab and click on Environment variables at the bottom.
4. In the next window, click on Path and then Edit.
5. Finally, click on New and enter this Path: C:\Windows\SysWow64.

Once done, restart your PC to apply the changes.

5. Perform a System Reset

A system reset is like a factory reset for a PC. It restores every function and helps get everything back to normal. However, all applications will be uninstalled. A system reset will fix your command prompt not working. Follow these simple steps:

1. Click on the Start Button and go to Settings.
2. After that, Recovery > Reset this PC. Next, Windows will ask you to confirm whether you want to keep your files or Delete everything. Choose any of the two options and click on Confirm.
3. Now, once you click either option, your PC will begin the restart process. It will take some time to reset everything.

Depending on your selection, If you choose the keep my files option, your files and folders present on C Driver won’t be deleted. However, if you choose to delete everything, it will act like a factory reset or proper Windows installation.

Well, that’s all we have here about how you can fix the command prompt not working issue in Windows 11. We hope you find this guide helpful.