2 Ways to Solve Downloads Folder Not Responding Windows 10/11

This page covers effective solutions to fix "downloads folder not responding on Windows 10" issue, check for details.

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Manually restore/repair folders
  1. 1. Run SFC and CHKDSK
  2. 2. Access and Restore Saved Data...Full steps
Fix 2. Run system restore to repair
  1. 1. Type: system restore in the Search box in Windows 10
  2. 2. Click "System Protection"...Full steps

I Can't Open Downloads Folder or Access Saved Data on Windows 10/11

"Hi, this is the first time that I've met this problem - I just couldn't open Windows 10 Downloads folder. I tried to open my Downloads folder but it won't allow me to do so. 
The Downloads folder doesn't respond no matter how I tried. I have some important downloaded files saved in the Downloads folder and I need a way to access and restore saved data in Windows 10. Please help me out. Thanks
."

Don't worry if you are having the same problem that the Windows Downloads folder becomes inaccessible, won't open, or not responding in Windows 10/8/7. Here in this article, you'll find two reliable solutions to help you efficiently fix the Downloads folder that won't open error and restore all saved data with ease. Feel free to follow offered solutions here to fix and repair the 'Can't open Downloads folder' error and restore all files from the Downloads folder on your PC now.

Try the following two methods to fix the downloads folder not responding in Windows 10.

1. Manually Restore Files and Repair Inaccessible Downloads Folder

If you prefer a direct way to repair and fix Windows Downloads folder won't open issue without losing any data, you can follow below 2 steps to manually repair Downloads folder inaccessible error and restore all saved data now:

Part 1. Run SFC and CHKDSK to Scan and Repair Corrupted System Files and Bad Sectors

Sometimes, corrupted system files or bad sectors on Windows system drive may cause hard drives, folders, or files inaccessible. Therefore, fixing corrupted system files and repair bad sectors on the hard drive may help you fix the Downloads folder that won't open error. You can follow to run SFC and CHKDSK to scan and repair corrupted system files and bad sectors now:

Fix corrupted system files by SFC:

Step 1. Press Win + R keys to open Run dialog;

Step 2. Type: cmd and hit Enter to open Command Prompt;

Step 3. Type: sfc /scannow and hit Enter;
Let the process complete the scanning process and it will automatically repair corrupted system files on Windows 10. 

Repair bad sectors on the Downloads folder disk in Windows 10:

Step 1. Press Win + X keys and select Command Prompt (Admin);

Step 2. Click Yes to confirm run Command Prompt as Administrator;

Step 3. Type: chkdsk G: /f /r /x and hit Enter; (Replace G: with the drive letter of your system drive or disk where the Downloads folder is located.)

Wait for the process to complete and then the CHDKSK command will automatically repair and fix all bad sectors found in the Downloads folder and system disk. 

If command line is not your ideal choice, you can apply this command-line alternative tool - EaseUS CleanGenius. Use this one-click tool to fix the file system error on your hard drive.

Step 1. Download EaseUS CleanGenius on your computer for free.

Step 2. Run the software. Click "Optimization" on the left panel, and then choose "File Showing" . 

select the file showing option

Step 3. Go to "Choose drive" and select the drive with a file system error. Check the "Check and fix file system error" option and click "Execute".

fix file system

Step 4. Wait the EaseUS CleanGenius completes the repairing process. After that, click the "here" to view the result.

fix file system

Part 2. Access and Restore Saved Data from Not Responding/Inaccessible Downloads Folder

After this, you can try to open the Downloads folder to get all the saved data and files now. If it's still inaccessible, don't worry. Just try the 2 methods below to get all save data back now:

Method 1. Recover files from the Downloads folder with file recovery software

If you don't see wanted files in the Downloads folder, don't worry. The professional EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard will help. Here we'd like to recommend you try EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard which would effectively help you find and restore lost files and data from the Downloads folder in Windows 10/8/7 within 3 simple steps:

 Download for Win Recovery Rate 99.7%
 Download for Mac Trustpilot Rating 4.8

Step 1. Select a folder to scan for lost files

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Double click "Select Folder" to browse the the location where you lost the folder and click "OK" to scan the lost folder. 

select folder to scan

Step 2. Find and preview found files in the lost folder

If you remember the folder name, type the folder name in search box to quickly find the lost files. Then, open the found folder and double-click to preview scanned files. Or you can use the Filter feature to find a certain type of files. 

choose files to recover

Step 3. Recover and save the lost folder 

Last, select the folder and files you need, click "Recover" and choose a new & secure location on your PC or cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox to keep the recovered data. 

Restore lost folder data

 Download for Win Recovery Rate 99.7%
 Download for Mac Trustpilot Rating 4.8

Method 2. Restore Downloads folder files by changing Properties settings

Step 1. Right-click on the Downloads folder and select "Properties";

Step 2. Go to "Customize", and select documents from the drop-down folder;

Step 3. And select 'also apply a template to all subfolders.

After this, you can check to see whether your files show up in the Downloads folder or not. 
If you don't see downloaded files or data, you can also select General items, Pictures, Music or Videos, etc to make wanted files show up in the Downloads folder.

2. Run System Restore to Repair Downloads Folder Not Working/Inaccessible

If you don't have any important data saved in the Downloads folder and you need a straightforward solution to get this issue fixed, System Restore will do. 

Here are the detailed steps that you can follow to run System Restore and repair not working or inaccessible Downloads folder back to work again now:

Step 1. Type: system restore in the Search box in Windows 10 and select Create a restore point;

Step 2. Click "System Protection" when System Properties dialog appears;

Step 3. Click "Configure";

Step 4. Select Turn on system protection and click OK;

Step 5. Repeat Step 1 and click System Protection, then click "System Restor"e;

Step 6. Select the wanted system restore point and click Next to follow the onscreen instructions to complete the System Restore process.
After this, restore the Windows system and then you'll get a healthy Windows system and working Downloads folder in Windows 10 again.

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Updated by Tracy King

Tracy became a member of the EaseUS content team in 2013. Being a technical writer for over 10 years, she is enthusiastic about sharing tips to assist readers in resolving complex issues in disk management, file transfer, PC & Mac performance optimization, etc., like an expert.

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