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When Microsoft Copilot stops working on Windows 11, the cause is usually one of four things: the Copilot app is missing or damaged, Windows is out of date, the wrong Microsoft account is being used, or Windows system files are corrupt.
Start with the checks below and stop as soon as Copilot works again. The current Windows Copilot is a standalone app, so older advice about restoring a permanent sidebar or enabling a Taskbar Copilot toggle may not apply.
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1. Check whether the Copilot app is installed
On current Windows 11 installations, Copilot should appear as an app in the Start menu or may be pinned to the taskbar. Confirm that it is installed before trying more complicated repairs.
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- Open Start and select Settings.
- Go to Apps > Installed apps.
- Search for Copilot.
If Copilot does not appear, install it from the Microsoft Store. Do not look for an old built-in sidebar; the supported Windows product is now the Copilot app.
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2. Launch Copilot another way
If the taskbar icon does nothing, try opening Copilot from Start. You can also use the dedicated Copilot key on supported keyboards or press Windows + C.
That shortcut may open either the full Copilot application or a smaller quick-view window. If you want to change this behavior:
- Open Copilot.
- Select Account.
- Open Settings.
- Find Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts and change the shortcut behavior.
3. Sign in with a personal Microsoft account
The current Windows Copilot app requires a personal Microsoft Account. If you are trying to sign in with a work or school account, the app may reject the login or fail to provide access.
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4. Repair Copilot without removing it
Windows can repair some app files while preserving the app’s normal installation. This is the least disruptive repair option.
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Apps > Installed apps.
- Search for Copilot.
- Select the … (More options) button beside Copilot.
- Choose Advanced options.
- Select Repair.
Restart Copilot and test it again. If Advanced options or Repair is not shown, that is not necessarily an error: Microsoft does not expose these controls for every app installation.
5. Reset Copilot
If repairing the app made no difference, return to the same screen and select Reset, if the option is available.
Resetting removes the app’s local data and returns its settings to their defaults. You may need to sign in again afterward. Because Reset is more disruptive than Repair, try Repair first.
6. Uninstall and reinstall Copilot
A damaged or incomplete app installation can prevent Copilot from opening, loading conversations, or signing in. Reinstalling gives you a clean copy.
- Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Search for Copilot.
- Select the … (More options) button next to it.
- Choose Uninstall.
- Open the Microsoft Store.
- Search for Copilot and install it again.
If the Store itself is not working, check that you are connected to the internet, install pending Windows updates, and restart Windows before trying the installation again.
7. Install Windows updates
Copilot depends on current Windows components and app services. An outdated Windows installation can also cause sign-in, Store, and app-launch failures.
- Open Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- Install all available updates.
- Restart the PC if Windows requests it.
After restarting, open Copilot from Start rather than relying on an old taskbar shortcut.
8. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
If updates fail or remain stuck, use Windows 11’s built-in troubleshooter:
- Open Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Find Windows Update.
- Select Run.
The troubleshooter runs through Microsoft’s Get Help app. The older Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant is not the current Copilot troubleshooting tool; Microsoft has moved these guided troubleshooters into Get Help, which also includes Copilot troubleshooters.
9. Repair Windows system files
Corrupt Windows component files can affect updates, the Microsoft Store, and installed apps. Run Microsoft’s repair commands from an elevated Command Prompt.
- Search Windows for
command prompt. - Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Approve the User Account Control prompt.
- Run this command and wait for it to finish:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /RestorehealthWhen DISM completes successfully, run System File Checker:
sfc /scannowWait until verification reaches 100 percent. Close Command Prompt, restart Windows, and try Copilot again.
10. Check the drive if Windows is behaving unusually
If Windows updates fail alongside broader errors, disk-file-system problems may be involved. In an administrator Command Prompt, run:
chkdsk /f C:Windows may tell you that the drive is in use and ask to schedule the check for the next restart. Type Y if appropriate, then restart the PC and allow the scan to complete.
11. Reinstall the current Windows version
Windows 11 includes a repair reinstall that preserves your apps, files, and settings while reinstalling the same Windows version.
- Open Start > Settings > System > Recovery.
- Under Fix problems using Windows Update, select Reinstall now.
- Choose whether Windows may restart automatically 15 minutes after installation.
- Select OK and follow the prompts.
This option may not appear on a work- or school-managed PC. It can also be unavailable on older Windows 11 versions or when Windows Update policies, WSUS, feature-update deferrals, quality-update deferrals, or other management controls are active. Do not assume that a missing option means the PC is damaged.
What the symptom usually means
| Symptom | Likely explanation | Best first action |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot is not in Start or Installed apps | The app is not installed | Install it from the Microsoft Store |
| A small window opens instead of the full app | Quick view is configured for the Copilot shortcut | Change Account > Settings > Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts |
| Sign-in fails with a company account | The Windows app expects a personal Microsoft Account | Use a personal account or the Microsoft 365 Copilot product |
| Repair and Reset are missing | Those controls are not available for this installation | Reinstall Copilot from the Microsoft Store |
| Copilot works, but a feature is absent | The feature may be rolling out gradually | Update the app and wait for availability on the account or device |
When Copilot’s PC information feature is missing
Some Copilot features are not released to every Windows 11 device at the same time. For example, PC insights is being rolled out gradually and may change during the rollout.
PC insights can explain information about the device and guide you through steps, but it cannot change system settings, run troubleshooting automatically, or repair Windows on your behalf. A missing PC insights feature does not necessarily mean that the Copilot installation is broken.
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Before escalating the problem, confirm that:
- Copilot appears under Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- You installed the latest Windows updates and restarted.
- You are using a personal Microsoft Account in the Windows Copilot app.
- The Microsoft Store can download and update other apps.
- Repair, Reset, or a clean reinstall has been attempted where available.
- DISM and
sfc /scannowcompleted without an unresolved error.
If Windows Update is stuck, investigate free disk space, incomplete downloads, incompatible drivers, permissions, and third-party antivirus or security software. On a managed computer, contact the administrator before changing update policies or removing security software.
FAQ
Why is Copilot missing from Windows 11?
The current Windows Copilot is a standalone app and may not be installed. Check Settings > Apps > Installed apps. If it is absent, install Copilot from the Microsoft Store.
Can I use a work or school account with the Windows Copilot app?
Microsoft’s current documentation specifies a personal Microsoft Account for the Windows Copilot app. A work or school account is associated with Microsoft 365 Copilot instead.
Why does Windows key + C open a small Copilot window?
The shortcut can be configured to open Copilot’s quick view. Open Copilot and go to Account > Settings > Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts to change the behavior.
What should I do if Copilot’s Repair option is unavailable?
Microsoft does not provide Advanced options, Repair, or Reset for every app installation. If those controls are missing, uninstall Copilot from Installed apps and reinstall it through the Microsoft Store.
Will resetting Copilot delete my files?
Resetting the app removes its local app data and settings; it does not reset Windows or delete your personal files. You may need to sign in again.
The Bottom Line
First verify that Copilot is installed, then try the correct account, Repair, Reset, and a Microsoft Store reinstall. If the problem affects updates or other Windows apps too, install Windows updates, run the Get Help troubleshooter, and repair system files with DISM followed by sfc /scannow. Use the Windows repair reinstall only after the app-level fixes fail.
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