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If Brave will not open but Windows and your other apps work, start with a PC restart. If Brave opens far enough to reach Settings, Brave’s reset option may help; if its settings menu will not open, Brave recommends uninstalling and reinstalling it. Use broader Windows troubleshooting only when the evidence points beyond Brave.

First, check whether the problem is Brave or Windows

See whether the Windows desktop loads normally and whether other apps open. If they do, treat this as a Brave launch problem and try the browser-specific steps below. If Windows itself will not start or other apps are failing too, a Brave reset or reinstall is unlikely to address the wider issue; use Windows recovery guidance for operating-system startup problems instead: Microsoft’s Windows recovery environment.

Restart Windows and try Brave again

Restart the PC, then try opening Brave. Microsoft lists restarting as an initial troubleshooting step for problems installing, uninstalling, or updating programs, but it is a basic check—not a guaranteed fix for a browser that will not launch. See Microsoft’s program troubleshooting guidance.

If Brave opens, restore its settings to their defaults

If Brave opens far enough to use its menus, Brave’s documented reset path is Menu > Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults. Brave says this can help when apps or extensions interfere with browser behavior. Read its instructions before confirming: the reset does not remove bookmarks or saved passwords, but it changes some settings and may affect cookies and site data, extensions, and themes. Details: How do I reset Brave settings to default?

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If Brave’s settings menu will not open, reinstall Brave

When the settings menu is missing or will not open, Brave’s guidance is to uninstall and reinstall the browser. This is a recommended next step, not a guarantee: the cited guidance does not identify the cause of an individual launch failure.

  1. Uninstall Brave using the standard Windows app-uninstall process.
  2. Download Brave using the instructions in Brave’s Windows installation guide.
  3. Run the downloaded installer, or save it and open the saved file to begin installation.

Follow Brave’s instructions for the installer and check whether the browser opens after installation.

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Check Windows Repair or Reset options if they are offered

Windows may provide app-specific options under Settings > Apps > Installed apps > [app] > Advanced options. If those options are available for Brave, try Repair first; if that does not resolve the problem, Microsoft says you can try Reset. These controls are not available for every desktop app, and Microsoft’s guidance is general program troubleshooting rather than a Brave-specific fix. See Microsoft’s guidance on program installation and removal problems.

Use a clean boot only to investigate a possible background conflict

If the steps above do not help and you suspect other software is interfering, Microsoft’s clean-boot procedure starts Windows with essential drivers and startup programs so you can investigate background conflicts. It changes services and startup items, and you must restore normal startup afterward. Microsoft warns that some functionality may be temporarily lost and that network policy can prevent the procedure. Do not change advanced boot options in System Configuration without support-engineer guidance. Follow Microsoft’s clean-boot instructions carefully.

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When not to use Windows recovery

Do not jump to Windows recovery or a Windows reset for a Brave-only symptom when Windows and other apps are working normally. Those procedures target broader operating-system problems and can have wider effects. Consider them only if Windows itself is malfunctioning, and choose the recovery option appropriate to that problem.

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Windows 10 support and Brave compatibility

Microsoft says Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; that notice concerns Microsoft updates, technical assistance, and security fixes. Separately, Brave’s compatibility notice says Windows 10 or later is required for future Brave updates. These are distinct publisher statements, not an explanation for why Brave will not open on a particular PC: Microsoft’s Windows recovery and support page and Brave’s Windows compatibility notice.

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