Fix Cannot Open JPG Files on Windows 10

Issue Overview: Cannot Open JPG Files 

You may often save photos that are taken on your phone, camera, or other devices, or downloaded online, to your computer for better viewing and saving. But one of the most common issues popping up when you are checking pictures with Windows Photo Viewer or Photos application is JPG files not opening in Windows 10.

Windows 10/11 cannot open JPG files error messages might be:

• Windows Photo Viewer can't open this picture because either Photo Viewer doesn't support this format, or you don't have the latest updates to Photo Viewer.
• Windows Photo Viewer can't open this picture because the file appears to be damaged, corrupted, or is too large.
• [FileName] We can't open this file.

If your Windows PC cannot open JPG files, figure out the tested solutions in this tutorial to quickly regain access to your JPG images. Let's start.

Why Are JPG Files Not Opening

If the Windows Photo Viewer says that we cannot open JPG files, the possible reasons are as follows:

• Windows Photo Viewer doesn't support the file format.
• The Photo Viewer is not the latest version.
• The JPG file is too large.
• The JPG file appears to be corrupted or damaged.
• Windows Photo Viewer application is corrupted.
• The file system of the hard drive is broken.

If you are unable to open JPG files on Windows, try out the following ways that could fix the issue.

Method 1. Change JPG File Format

If you get a clear error saying you cannot open the JPG image because the format is not supported, the solution is to convert the file type.  

You can rename the picture or use a reliable file converter or an image editor to change the file format. But before you try this method, copy the original file to a different place for backup.

Go on with the next method if the extension change fails.

Method 2. Reduce JPG Image Size

If your JPG photos are of high quality and high definition, they will be large in size. Then, the Windows Photos application cannot open these large JPG files on a computer. To solve the problem, you can use an image editor, such as the Windows default tool, Paint, to reduce the JPG file size.

Method 3. Try a Different Photo Viewer to Open JPG Files

If the Windows Photo Viewer still cannot open JPG files after changing the file extension and size, try to open the images with another photo viewing program. You can download a reliable third-party photo viewer or editor such as PhotoShop to open the JPG files.

Method 4. Repair Corrupted JPG Files with File Repair Tool

One of the main reasons the Photo Viewer cannot open JPG files is that they are corrupted. In this situation, a professional file repair tool works best. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard integrates file recovery and repair features to help users to fix corrupted files easily and efficiently.

• Repair damaged photos in JPG, JPEG, PNG, and BMP types
• Recover corrupted Excel files in XLSX/XLS formats
• Repair single or multiple Word documents without quantity limit
• Fix corrupted PDF documents efficiently
• Repair damaged MP4, MOV, and GIF videos
• Real-time preview of repaired files

Free download this file recovery tool to fix the corrupted JPG files and reopen them successfully.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS data recovery software. Select a hard drive that contains broken photos files and click "Scan". 

Step 2. Select "Pictures" to find your corrupted phots that can be in a variety of formats, JPEG, JPG, PNG, BMP, and more. Or, you can click "Search files or folders" in the upper right corner to search for files. 

Step 3. Double-click on a damaged picture to repair and preview the file. Then, click "Recover" to save images to a different location.

Except for file repair, EaseUS data recovery software also has a good reputation in data recovery. It can simply recover permanently deleted files in Windows 10 with advanced algorithm technology. Other outstanding functions are formatted recovery, RAW recovery, lost partition recovery, OS crash recovery, virus attack recovery, and more.

Method 5. Update the Microsoft Photos to the Latest Version

The Windows Photo Viewer cannot open JPG files when it is outdated. The old version might have many issues, including file capability problem. Updating Windows Photo Viewer should solve the JPG not opening error.

Steps to update Photos app on Windows 10/11:

Step 1. Go to "Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update".

Step 2. Click "Check for updates".

Step 3. Check the Photo Viewer box and click "Install Updates".

Step 4. Restart your computer and check if you can open the JPG files.

Method 6. Repair the Microsoft Photos Apps 

When the Windows Photos app is corrupted or has a problem, it may stop working properly, including not opening JPG files. In this case, you should repair the app. Follow the steps below:

Step 1. Press Win + I to open Windows Settings.

Step 2. Click "Apps > Apps & features".

Step 3. Scroll down and select Microsoft Photos. Click it and choose "Advanced options".

Step 4. Scroll down and click "Repair".

Method 7. Repair Corrupted System Files

Corrupt system files might prevent your computer from opening JPG files. To repair corrupted system files, you can use the SFC (System File Checker) of Windows to scan and replace any corrupted files on your computer.

Step 1. Click the Search box and type CMD.

Step 2. Choose Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 3. On the Command Prompt window, type sfc/scannow and press Enter.

If the SFC scans and verifies that the protected system file has been corrupted or damaged, it will repair and replace it with the correct copy. After the process, restart your computer and check if the Windows Photo Viewer can open your JPG files.

Conclusion

Windows Photos Viewer cannot open JPEG files is not a new problem for us. Don't fret when the issue occurs. Try the above ways to troubleshoot. If the JPG not opening problem is caused by corrupted images, use EaseUS file recovery tool to fix and restore JPG files efficiently