Have you encountered error -2147219196 when using the Windows Photos app? You’re not alone. Bad or corrupted Windows updates, deleted registry components, or other glitches can lead to the following error appearing when you try to access your photos:
File system error (-2147219196)
This can be worrying, as you may think you have lost your photos. But the good news is that this error generally points to a problem with the Photos app or Windows rather than telling you that your photos have been lost. Read on to learn more about Windows error -2147219196 and how to fix it.
What Causes Error -2147219196?
Because this error indicates a system problem, you can rest easy that it has nothing to do with your actual photos. As a quick workaround, you could try opening the photos with another photo app or on another machine.
This system error can be caused by various glitches. The last system upgrade may have encountered a bug. You might need to update Windows. Or the Photos app itself may have become corrupted. Thankfully, all these problems are relatively easy to fix.
How to Fix Error -2147219196 – Reinstall the Photos App
Step 1. Go to Settings > Apps and click on Installed apps.
Step 2. Search through the installed apps until you find “Photos.” Pro tip: You can use the search function at the top of the window to make this easier.
Step 3. Click the three dots next to the app and then select “Uninstall.” Follow the on-screen prompts until this process is complete.
Step 4. Head to the Microsoft Store and search for “Photos.” Click on the app titled “Microsoft Photos.”
Step 5. Click “Get” and follow the prompts until installation is complete. In most cases, you should find that this eliminates error -2147219196.
Before reinstalling the Photos app, try repairing or resetting it first. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find “Photos,” click the three dots next to it, and select “Advanced options.” Select “Repair” first. If that doesn’t fix the problem, try “Reset.”
How to Fix Error -2147219196 – Check for Windows Updates
Step 1. Windows updates can sometimes fix problems with apps. To check for updates, go to Settings > System > Windows Update.
Step 2. On the Windows Update page, select “Check for updates” to manually check for available updates.
Step 3. You will see a spinning wheel while the computer checks for updates. If it finds any, follow the prompts to install them. This may take a few minutes. Once complete, restart your computer to ensure the updates are complete. Try opening a photo again, and it should work without any error messages.
Consider choosing the option to “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.” This prioritizes your PC for the latest non-security updates, fixes, features, and improvements as they become available. In some cases, this may avoid glitches like error -2147219196 from occurring and should improve the performance of your machine. If problems persist, contact Microsoft for further assistance, and use a different photo app in the meantime. There are many third-party photo viewers available in the Microsoft Store. Always check reviews and ratings before you download third-party software.
