Without an iota of doubt, Microsoft Copilot has most bases covered to be a top-notch generative AI. Thanks largely to the deep integration, it works like a charm on Windows. Whether it’s writing an article, editing a document, or solving a complex riddle, the generative AI has way more cool tricks up its sleeve than you think.
For all being so efficient, Copilot does run into some annoying issues once in a while. At times, it fails to load. At other times, it tends to get stuck mid-way while trying to answer a question. Worse, on a few occasions, it crashes out of nowhere and refuses to launch at all. Having endured all these tantrums and more, I would like to share the 26 real-life tested solutions to fix Copilot not working problem on Windows 11 24H2. Keep reading to…
Fix Copilot Not Working on Windows 11 24H2
So, what’s ailing Copilot on your PC? To put it straight, Microsoft generative AI is a bit more demanding and requires plenty of horsepower to process and perform with the desired speed as well as efficiency. Failing to offer it the required resources often results in unexpected issues.
Take a close look at these major reasons why Copilot doesn’t work on the expected lines –
- Below-par internet connection
- Lack of necessary privileges
- Malicious system files
- Corrupted Windows settings
- A persistent bug
- Wrongly configured language and region setting
- The pileup of corrupted cache
- Outdated version of the software
In this extensive guide, we are going to target each of the above-mentioned roadblocks and get rid of them with viable solutions.
1. Verify Copilot is Enabled
Ensure that Copilot is active on your PC. While tinkering with your Windows device, you might have accidentally disabled the generative AI.
- Navigate to the Settings app > Personalization > Taskbar.
- Here, make sure that the toggle for Copilot is active inside the “Other system tray icons” section.
2. Ensure Stable Internet Connectivity
Keep in mind that Copilot requires a strong and fully functional internet connection. So, if your internet connection is struggling or feels rather sluggish, the devil of this specific Windows issue could very well be hidden in your poor internet connection.
3. Force Kill the Copilot App
For times when the Copilot app gets stuck mid-way or doesn’t seem to respond, force-killing comes in super handy.
- Press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc to launch Task Manager > Select Copilot in the left sidebar > Click End task at the top.
- Relaunch Copilot and check if it has begun to work as usual.
4. Restart Your PC
If Copilot is plagued by a random Windows bug, rebooting your PC will help you resolve the issue and bring the Copilot app back on track. Therefore, it makes sense to go for the soft reset considering the fact that how handy it has been for years.
5. Check Copilot Language and Region Settings
Take a close look at Copilot’s language and region settings and ensure they are set up in line with the requirements.
- Launch the Settings app > Time & language tab in the left sidebar.
- Click language & region.
- For smooth functioning, I’d recommend you set your region to the United States.
- After that, restart your PC.
6. Re-enable the Sidebar in Microsoft Edge
Are you unable to use Copilot in Microsoft Edge? If you are nodding in the affirmative, make sure Copilot has been added to the sidebar in your Edge browser.
- Open Edge and click on the triple-dot icon at the top right > Settings.
- On the next screen, click on click on the menu icon located at the top left corner of the screen and choose Sidebar & Copilot.
- Select Copilot and make sure its toggle is set to the ON position.
7. Check for Copilot Service
Copilot needs full freedom to run its background service on your PC. Restricting Copilot service means inviting all sorts of issues with both hands.
- Launch Run using the Win + R keyboard shortcut.
- Now, type services.msc and click OK.
- Make sure that Copilot Service has been allowed to run without any hindrance. If the service has been blocked, start it. Then, set its Startup type to Automatic.
8. Check Copilot Permissions
Does Copilot have the required privileges to function with the desired freedom on your PC? In an attempt to double down on security and privacy, you might have revoked the necessary permissions related to the generative AI.
- Head over to Settings > Privacy & security > App permissions.
- Now, find out if Copilot can access and use your microphone and location. Besides, double-check if other equally pivotal permissions have been granted.
9. Disable Unnecessary Background Tasks
Too many background tasks might be acting as the wrecker-in-chief for the Copilot app.
- Use the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keyboard shortcut to launch the Task Manager.
- Select the Processes tab in the left sidebar and then disable all the redundant processes.
10. Restart Windows Explorer
For a handful of users, rebooting the Windows Explorer has fixed the Copilot issues. Considering how effective it has proved to be, there is no harm in giving it a go on your PC as well.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager on your computer.
- Now, locate “Windows Explorer” and right-click on it.
- Now, choose “Restart” in the menu.
11. Update Your Windows Device
If Copilot continues to ill-function, it wouldn’t be wrong to put the entire blame on a software bug. So, the right way to flush out the bug is to go for the software update.
- Go to the Settings app > Windows Update and make sure your PC is up to date.
12. Sign Out and Back Into Your Microsoft Account
Should Copilot continue to malfunction, why not sign out of your Microsoft account and sign back in? The reason why I’m betting on this troubleshooter is because it has a decent history of fixing frustrating Windows issues.
- On your PC, go to the Settings app > Accounts” > “Your info”.
- Now, sign out of your Microsoft account and sign back in using your credentials.
13. Clear the Copilot Cache
If Copilot is embroiled in data corruption issues, wiping out the entire cluster of cache files will help.
- Press Win+R to open the Run dialog.
- Now, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Copilot and press Enter.
- Next, delete all the files of the folder and restart your PC.
- Once your PC has restarted, invoke Copilot to check if it has returned to form.
14. Update the Copilot App
If it’s been a while since you updated the Copilot app, there is a high chance that the outdated version is struggling to cope with the latest version of Windows.
- On your PC, launch the Microsoft Store > Library tab in the left sidebar > Locate the Copilot app and ensure that it’s updated.
15. Reset Network Settings
Don’t overlook the plagued network settings as they might also be spoiling your party and working as a roadblock for the generative AI.
- Dive into the Settings app > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset > Reset now.
16. Reinstall the Copilot App
A fresh installation has long been a highly effective remedy; especially when dealing with apps that don’t mend their ways with basic fixes.
- To reinstall the Copilot app, head into Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find the Copilot app and click on the triple-dot icon next to it > choose Uninstall in the menu and confirm.
- After that, reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store.
17. Disable Third-Party Antivirus or Firewall
Did you recently set up a Firewall or a third-party antivirus program on your PC? Altogether disable the Firewall or the antivirus software as it might be interfering with Copilot.
- To disable the Firewall, go to the Settings app > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
18. Disable VPN/Proxy
A VPN service or proxy server never shies away from meddling with others’ affairs, which often leads to vexing issues.
- On your Windows 11 device, launch Settings > Network & internet > VPN/Proxy.
- Now, altogether turn off the VPN/Proxy server.
19. Repair Copilot
Modern versions of Windows provide a native way to repair a damaged app. Now is the right time to give this built-in solution a chance.
- To repair Copilot, launch the Settings app > Apps > Installed Apps > Locate the Copilot app and click on the triple-dot icon (ellipsis) > Advanced Options.
- Now, click on the “Repair” button and confirm.
20. Reset Copilot Settings
Many a time, resetting the Copilot settings to the default state will let you resolve the app-related issues.
- Head over to the Settings app > Apps > Installed Apps > Find Copilot and click on the triple-dot icon located right next to it > Advanced Options.
- Click on the “Reset” button and confirm.
21. Clear Edge Browser Cache
As Copilot is seamlessly integrated with the Edge browser, cleaning up its cache may work in your favor.
- Launch Edge and hit the triple-dot icon at the top right > choose Settings in the drop-down menu.
- Hit the menu icon at the top left corner and choose Privacy, search, and Services.
- Next up, proceed to clear the entire browsing history.
- Once the cleanup is done, close Edge and invoke Copilot to find out if you have gotten the better of the problem.
22. Reset Edge Settings
If Edge and Copilot still don’t get along with each other, why not reset the Edge settings which has the knack for fixing browser-related issues?
- Inside Edge, hit the triple-dot icon at the upper-right corner > Settings > menu icon at the top left > Reset Settings > Reset settings to their default values.
23. Run the Windows Store Apps, Troubleshooter
Windows 11 comes with a robust “Store Apps” troubleshooter which comes in handy in taking control of the problematic apps or the ones that have the habit of throwing all sorts of tantrums.
- Navigate to the Settings app > System tab > Scroll down and choose Troubleshoot.
- Click Other troubleshooters.
- On the following screen, run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter to resolve the app-related issues.
24. Repair Windows System Files
Be sure that the malicious system files are not coming in the way and hurting the functionality of Copilot.
To ward off this possibility, it would be apt to run the System File Checker aka SFC to nab and troubleshoot the corrupted system files:
- Launch Command Prompt on your PC as an administrator.
- Now, run sfc /scannow
- Once the scan is complete, make sure to restart your PC.
25. Use PowerShell to Re-register Copilot
Yet to overcome the hurdle? Bother not as we still have some pretty effective solutions. Using Windows PowerShell, we are going to re-register Copilot.
- On your computer, fire up “PowerShell” as an administrator.
- Then, run the below-mentioned command.
Get-AppxPackage MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
26. Reset Your PC – Last Resort
If nothing has helped fix the Copilot issue on your PC, it’s time to reset Windows settings to their defaults. Should this problem happen to be the byproduct of corrupted settings, cleaning up the custom settings may come to your rescue.
- Open the Settings app on your Windows device > System > Recovery.
- Click “Reset this PC”.
- Here, select the “Keep my files” option in order to reset your PC without deleting any of your precious data > Then, go through the usual process to complete the process.
Wrapping up…!
I hope Microsoft Copilot has begun to weave its magic all over again. With a variety of viable solutions, I bet you have managed to put this Copilot problem behind your back. Great! Now, shoot your feedback via the comments and make sure to share this guide with folks who also need reliable fixes for the generative AI.
